Joe Kent
Cartel “La Diabla” Busted for Baby, Organ Ring in Mexico
Martha Alicia Mendez Aguilar, better known as “La Diabla,” thought she could hide in Juárez, Mexico. But earlier this month, she was captured in a joint U.S.–Mexico operation. The charges against her aren’t about drugs or weapons. They’re darker. She’s accused of running a cartel baby-trafficking and organ-harvesting ring—an operation so disturbing that even seasoned investigators were stunned. Her arrest is a big win for law enforcement, but the story behind it reveals something bigger. Cartels aren’t just about drugs anymore. They’re moving into crimes most people never thought possible. And that makes this case one of the most chilling in years. Who Exactly Is “La Diabla”? Aguilar isn’t just another cartel name. She worked with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most violent groups. Her nickname, “La Diabla,” which means “She-Devil,” says it all. She earned a reputation for being ruthless. According to investigators, she targeted poor, vulnerable women—many of them already pregnant. She promised them help, sometimes money, sometimes medical care. Once she had them in her grip, she lured them to hidden clinics. (MORE NEWS: U.S. Strike on Venezuelan Drug Cartel Boat Signals New Era) That’s where the horror began. Unregulated cesarean operations were performed under dangerous conditions. Some mothers didn’t survive. Their newborns were taken and sold. Reports say babies went for as much as $14,000 each. On top of that, the mothers’ organs were harvested and sold on the black market. Think about that for a moment. Babies sold like merchandise. Mothers treated as disposable. It’s the kind of cruelty that earns a person the name “La Diabla.” How She Got Caught Her downfall came on September 2. Authorities tracked her to Juárez, right across the border from El Paso, Texas. Mexican officials worked side by side with U.S. agencies to pull off the arrest. The U.S. National Counterterrorism Center had been involved for months. Its director, Joe Kent, said her capture was crucial to saving innocent lives. He also pointed out something many people don’t want to hear: cartels are diversifying. Drugs aren’t the only game anymore. They’re moving into new areas—human trafficking, organ sales, cybercrime—anything that brings in cash. That’s why the U.S. recently designated groups like the CJNG as foreign terrorist organizations. The goal is to give law enforcement more tools to shut them down. Aguilar’s arrest is proof that approach can work. Thanks to @POTUS, cartels are finally being treated as terrorists. @ODNIgov‘s NCTC recently provided intel to Mexican law enforcement partners that led to the arrest of Martha Alicia Mendez Aguilar, known as ‘La Diabla’ — a CJNG cartel-affiliated baby trafficker, in Juarez,… pic.twitter.com/CRNgJWVHkV — NCTC Director Joe Kent (@NCTCKent) September 24, 2025 The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard released a statement praising the multi-country, multi-agency operation that led to Aguilar’s arrest: Why Cartels Do This With cartels, the answer is always about money—and opportunity. Drug trafficking is risky. Border security is tougher, and competition between cartels is brutal. By branching out into other crimes, they spread the risk and increase their profits. Babies and organs fetch high prices. At the same time, poor women are easy targets. Many live in places where health care is scarce and oversight is weak. Cartels know they can operate in those shadows. And unlike drug shipments, which face heavy surveillance, these crimes are easier to hide. In short, it’s a perfect storm: desperate victims, weak systems, and greedy criminals. What Happens Next Authorities are now trying to map out Aguilar’s network. Who helped her? Were doctors involved? How far did the trafficking chain stretch? Those questions will take time to answer. There are also big legal challenges. These crimes cross borders, which means multiple countries have to work together. It’s messy, and cartels count on that. Still, her arrest sends a loud message: no one is untouchable. At the same time, this case shows prevention is just as important as prosecution. Vulnerable women need more protection. They need safe hospitals, real economic options, and information that helps them spot dangers before it’s too late. Without that, criminals like Aguilar will always find victims. Why This Story Hits Hard Cartels have always been ruthless. But this feels different. For years, people thought of cartels as drug dealers and smugglers. Now we see they’ll exploit life itself as a commodity. Babies sold to the highest bidder. Women discarded for parts. It’s a level of cruelty that forces everyone to pay attention. And it’s not just about Mexico. When babies are sold across borders and organs are trafficked into international markets, the whole world is involved—whether it wants to be or not. A Wake-Up Call The capture of “La Diabla” is a defining moment in the war on cartels. They are evolving, adapting, and looking for new ways to make money. Law enforcement can strike back when nations work together. But the bigger fight is still ahead. Networks like Aguilar’s don’t die with one arrest. They regroup, they shift, and they keep going. That’s why governments need to move fast, not just to punish criminals but to protect the people most at risk. “La Diabla” may now be in custody, but her crimes remind us of something chilling: as long as desperation exists, cartels will exploit it. Her arrest is a victory—but also a warning that the darkest chapters of cartel violence may not be behind us. Cut through the noise. Drown out the spin. Deliver the truth. At The Modern Memo, we’re not here to soften the blow — we’re here to land it. The media plays defense for the powerful. We don’t. If you’re done with censorship, half-truths, and gaslighting headlines, pass this on. Expose the stories they bury. This isn’t just news — it’s a fight for reality. And it doesn’t work without you.
Al-Qaida Threat Prompts Federal Warning to Law Enforcement
Al-Qaida Isn’t Done With America More than twenty years after the 9/11 attack, Al-Qaida is reminding the world it’s still out there. A new report from the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), the group and its Yemen-based branch, Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), are once again urging attacks inside the United States. The report, intended to inform law enforcement, warns that this “highlights its persistent and enduring threat to the country, US officials, and public safety.” What makes this alarming is that AQAP isn’t just another affiliate. It is “the only affiliate to have successfully enabled an attack in the homeland.” That fact makes its propaganda especially concerning for law enforcement and security officials. (MORE NEWS: Utah Arrests: Explosive Device Found Under Fox News Vehicle) Propaganda Made for America In July 2025, AQAP released the 10th edition of its Inspire Guide. Written in English, the magazine was clearly designed to reach people inside the U.S. The NCTC report notes that it “celebrated recent attacks in the US and called on its supporters in the homeland to conduct attacks, using simple attack methods, such as firearms, explosives, knives, vehicle-rammings, or Molotov cocktails.” The guide didn’t stop at methods. It pointed out “that proper targets were individuals or organizations that support Israel, as well as law enforcement and the government.” It also added that large protests or civil disturbances could be used as cover for terrorism. In short, it gave a blueprint to anyone angry enough to act. Al-Qaida Leadership Pushes Harder This isn’t just propaganda magazines. The group’s leaders are putting their voices directly behind these threats. In June, AQAP leader Sa’d Atif al-Aulaqi released a video titled Inciting the Believers. In it, he called for attacks against “the US President, Vice President, Secretaries of Defense and State, members of Congress, their families, and at least one private US citizen.” His justification was chilling. Aulaqi urged revenge and declared that “reciprocity is legitimate,” adding there was “no distinction between civilian and military targets.” That statement signals a wide-open call to violence with no boundaries. (MORE NEWS: BREAKING: Charlie Kirk Memorial: Armed Man ID’d at Stadium) The group released another Inspire Guide in June, focused on what it called “A Message Beyond Bullets: Attack on the Jewish Capital Museum in Washington, D.C.” The article encouraged lone actors in America to carry out violence. Intelligence officials believe it was an attempt to exploit anger over the killing of two Israeli Embassy employees in May. Same Old Playbook If this all sounds familiar, it should. The NCTC report points out that “many of the suggested target themes in recent al-Qa‘ida threats are consistent with the group’s post 9/11 attack plots in the homeland.” Aviation, symbolic or economic sites, U.S. government and military facilities, and public spaces all remain at the top of the terror group’s list. For example, AQAP tried to bomb planes in 2010 by hiding explosives in printer cartridges. In 2009, the so-called “underwear bomber” nearly took down a flight to Detroit after being trained by AQAP leaders. And of course, the most infamous example remains September 11, 2001, when nearly 3,000 people were killed in coordinated hijackings. This recycling of themes shows that while tactics may change, the targets haven’t. Al-Qaida knows what creates panic and draws headlines, and it hasn’t forgotten. U.S. Officials Step Up Warnings The recent spike in threats prompted the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the NCTC to push new information to federal, state, and local law enforcement. Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent posted on X stay vigilant: The ODNI press release emphasized that cooperation between the intelligence community and law enforcement “has never been stronger.” It credited President Trump’s policies, saying they “have ensured that America is more prepared than ever to respond to and address any threat directly, rapidly, and with strategic coordination.” NCTC Director Joe Kent underscored the urgency: “The relentless pursuit of our enemies means clearly defining and understanding them… Constant vigilance includes guarding our borders and ensuring our communities are informed. We have the knowledge and leadership to keep America safe.” He noted that NCTC and its partners are monitoring “24/7 to thwart these attacks and keep Americans safe.” What This Means for Communities For law enforcement, the message is clear: stay alert, share intelligence quickly, and be ready for lone actors who may move without warning. For communities, it’s a reminder that crowded places like airports, major events, and symbolic public spaces can still attract attention from terrorists. Event organizers and local officials need to plan security with these low-tech attack methods in mind. While nobody wants daily life to feel locked down, balancing openness with protection is essential in today’s environment. The Bottom Line Al-Qaida hasn’t gone anywhere. AQAP is blasting out English propaganda, its leader is urging violence against U.S. officials and civilians, and its guides are eyeing protests and public gatherings as targets. In other words, the group is recycling old tactics for a new audience. The NCTC put it plainly: “Al-Qa‘ida’s resurgence of calls for attacks in the homeland highlights its persistent and enduring threat to the country, US officials, and public safety.” That’s why the response cannot be passive. America won’t look away. Vigilance is more than a strategy—it’s survival. And as long as terrorists call for blood, the United States will meet them with strength, unity, and an unshakable resolve to protect its people. Expose the Spin. Shatter the Narrative. Speak the Truth. At The Modern Memo, we don’t cover politics to play referee — we swing a machete through the spin, the double-speak, and the partisan theater. While the media protects the powerful and buries the backlash, we dig it up and drag it into the light. If you’re tired of rigged narratives, selective outrage, and leaders who serve themselves, not you — then share this. Expose the corruption. Challenge the agenda. 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