José Alfredo Cárdenas Martínez, El Contador: Gulf Cartel Leader Released from Mexican Prison

José Alfredo Cárdenas Martínez, El Contador, Released from Prison

José Alfredo Cárdenas Martínez, known as El Contador and suspected leader of the Gulf Cartel, left Reclusorio Oriente in Mexico City today. He obtained a change in his precautionary measures regarding his extradition process to the United States.

City government sources reported that Cárdenas was released after the prison system received a judicial notification this morning ordering his immediate freedom.

Earlier today, Judge Gregorio Salazar Hernández in Almoloya de Juárez, State of Mexico, modified the preventive prison measures against Cárdenas. This decision followed a legal amparo he filed in the Fourth District Court in the State of Mexico, which granted a suspension of the charges against him.

Judge Salazar stated that the Attorney General’s Office did not provide evidence regarding the extradition case. His lawyer argued that Cárdenas had a stable home environment, showing no risk of fleeing justice.

As part of his release conditions, Cárdenas must sign weekly reports to the municipal president of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and pay a bail of five million pesos within five days. He must also surrender his passport, wear an electronic bracelet, and avoid contact with any U.S. diplomatic missions or victims related to his case.

Cárdenas has a history of arrests and releases due to violations of legal procedures. In February 2018, a judge ordered his release after it was found that the Marine personnel gave false information about his arrest. In March 2019, he was arrested again, but a Tamaulipas judge released him due to lack of evidence.

On February 27, 2022, police detained Cárdenas with a firearm, methamphetamine, and cocaine. However, a 2023 ruling confirmed the amparo that annulled the charges due to procedural violations. His defense argued the judge failed to consider key witnesses present during his arrest.

Who is José Alfredo Cárdenas, El Contador?

Cárdenas Martínez is identified as the leader of the Gulf Cartel, according to U.S. authorities. The U.S. Department of Justice states he has led the cartel since 2015, following the arrest of Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sánchez, known as El Cos. He is the nephew of the notorious drug lord Osiel Cárdenas Guillén.

Cárdenas was first captured by the Marine Corps in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, on February 19, 2018, during an operation against armed suspects. During his arrest, military personnel disconnected surveillance cameras to mislead the narrative of his capture. This led to his eventual release.

Cárdenas has now left the Federal Justice Center in Almoloya de Juárez, State of Mexico, again a free man.