One of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers – the Mexican cartel boss known as “El Mencho” – has reportedly been killed by his country’s security forces.

The drug lord, whose real name is Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, was killed on Sunday in the western state of Jalisco, Mexican newspapers reported, citing government sources.

The 59-year-old gangster was the leader of a group that in recent years has become Mexico’s most powerful and notorious criminal organisation: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The United States had offered a $15m (£11m) reward for his capture.

In a sign of El Mencho’s huge influence across Mexico, as well as other parts of Latin America, his killing sparked an immediate outbreak of disorder across the region he ruled.

Media reports said burning vehicles and “narco” roadblocks could be seen across the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Nayarit and Michoacán.

This is a breaking news update. More to follow…