Audias Flores Silva

Audias Flores Silva
Flores Silva's mugshot
Born
Audias Flores Silva

(1980-11-19) 19 November 1980 (age 45)
Huetamo, Michoacán, Mexico
Other names
  • The Gardener
  • El Commander
  • El Bravo 2
  • Audi
  • Boss Killer
OccupationDrug lord
Years active2000s–2026
StatusIncarcerated
Details
Imprisoned atAltiplano maximum-security federal prison

Audias Flores Silva (born 19 November 1980), commonly known by his alias "El Jardinero" or "The Gardener", is a Mexican drug lord and high-ranking leader in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Early life and career

Audias Flores Silva was born on 19 November 1980, in Huetamo, Michoacán, Mexico. He worked closely all his life with El Mencho, a Mexican drug lord who was once the most wanted man in Mexico and the leader of the CJNG.

After Mencho's death in February 2026, Flores Silva aimed to take over power of Mencho's organization. Analysts noted that he was possibly next in line to run the CJNG. Starting his life of crime over a decade ago, Flores Silva went by many aliases before his current one, such as “El Commander,” “El Bravo 2,” “Audi,” and “Boss Killer."

2026 capture

On April 27, 2026, Flores Silva was captured by Mexican military after being found in a ditch. Prior to his capture, the United States was offering up to $5 million in reward for any information on him. In May, 2026, his charges were expanded by a judge.

References

  1. ↑ "Audias Flores-Silva". United States Department of State. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Audias Flores-Silva". DEA. Archived from the original on June 30, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  3. ↑ Martinez, Rubi (November 27, 2003). "Quién es 'El Jardinero', el sucesor de 'El Mencho' en el CJNG que escapó de la Marina en Jalisco". Infobae (in Spanish). Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Office of Public Affairs | High-Ranking CJNG Leader Charged with Federal Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, Firearm Offenses, and Money Laundering Conspiracy | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. May 14, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  5. ↑ "El Jardinero: What to know about 'The Gardener,' the Mexican cartel figure arrested in a ditch | CNN". CNN. April 29, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Archived: $5M reward offered for information leading to arrest, conviction of major Mexican drug cartel member | ICE". www.ice.gov. April 15, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  7. ↑ Cano, Joel (February 6, 2024). "Which states does 'El Jardinero,' the possible successor to 'El Mencho,' operate in?". Infobae (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  8. ↑ C.V, DEMOS, Desarrollo de Medios, S. A. de (February 28, 2026). "La Jornada: SSPC detects four leaders who may succeed El Mencho". La Jornada (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved July 2, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ "El Mini Toy' captured in Zapopan; authorities were targeting 'El Jardinero,' a CJNG leader, who managed to escape". Los Noticieristas (in Spanish). November 23, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Senior Mexican cartel leader with links to 'El Mencho' captured". www.bbc.com. April 28, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Mexican special forces arrest top commander of cartel and his alleged money launderer". The Guardian. April 28, 2026. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Mexico: Special forces capture cartel leader 'El Jardinero'". dw.com. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Cartel boss known as "The Gardener" hit with U.S. charges after being captured while hiding in ditch - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. May 15, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  14. ↑ Ortega, Guillermo. "El Jardinero,' the new head of security for Los Chapitos, for whom the DEA is offering a multimillion-dollar reward". guillermoortega (in Spanish). Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  15. ↑ Press, Associated (May 14, 2026). "US grand jury widens charges against Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel second-in-command". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 2, 2026.