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.
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