Well, in more information, a few hours ago, López Serrano reported that El Mini Lic pleaded guilty to fentanyl trafficking before a federal court in the United States. We're going with our colleague Ángel Hernández to connect with him so you can tell us more details. Angel, good afternoon, Héctor, and Cecilia.
Good afternoon, indeed, López Serrano, who is the son of Damaso López Núñez, one of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán's most important operators in the Sinaloa cartel, has pleaded guilty for the second time in the United States, this time to fentanyl trafficking.
Remember, in 2018, he surrendered to US authorities after his father was arrested in Mexico and sent to the United States. He voluntarily surrendered and later pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
Shortly after, the FBI targets him. He fell into a trap. Through a confidential informant who trafficked fentanyl, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was able to detect that Damaso López Serrano was involved in fentanyl trafficking. He had negotiated with this FBI informant to send at least 4 kg of fentanyl from Mexico to California.
This is the basis for this latest case. Everything allegedly occurred at the end of last year. Between September and December, this negotiation was made with FBI informants. Through these same informants, the FBI managed to seize this shipment of fentanyl before it reached Damaso López Serrano. In December, the FBI arrested him and one of his operators who assisted him in this negotiation. From this point on, he is charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl to the United States. Today, in the Eastern District Court of Virginia, he formally pleaded guilty in a plea agreement. Regarding his guilty plea, he is expected to be sentenced on September 5th of this year. We'll see what happens. For this man, it's important to point him out again for the second time. He pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in the United States. He was free after spending five years on parole. Hector, well, there are some of these negotiations that are taking place there in the courts of the United States and that are emerging. Step by step, Angel. That's correct. In fact, the interesting thing here is that Damaso López Serrano never formally trafficked pentanyl to the United States. It never reached his hands. The FBI was able to intercept him because he was an active trafficker in Mexico, but he is an informant for the US authorities. Of course, once he fell into the hands of the authorities, as he did in 2018, he reached a plea agreement, which will likely result in a sentence much lower than the maximum.
He could face 20 years for conspiring to traffic fentanyl. Good afternoon, Angel. Thank you for the information you're sharing with us. We'll be on the lookout for any updates. Thank you, thank you for the space. Good afternoon.
Tepalcatepec, Mich., May 28, 2025. In a major blow to organized crime, members of the Mexican Army located and dismantled a clandestine mega-laboratory in the municipality of Tepalcatepec. The laboratory had the capacity to produce nearly two tons of synthetic drugs weekly, with an estimated value of more than 80 million pesos per week.
The operation was reportedly carried out during surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in high-crime areas, specifically in the vicinity of the town of Catarino Pérez, according to the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena).
During the operation, soldiers detected several individuals aboard a pickup truck who, upon noticing the military presence, abandoned the vehicle and fled into the undergrowth. The vehicle, which had been reported stolen, was transporting two tubs containing approximately 300 kilograms of a granulated substance with characteristics similar to methamphetamine.
After securing the vehicle, the soldiers conducted a search of the area and, a short distance away, located a clandestine complex operating as a drug laboratory. The site was equipped with industrial infrastructure and large quantities of chemical inputs.
At the site, four reactors, four condensers, three metal centrifuges, seven cylindrical containers, 53 drums containing unidentified chemicals, 32 vats, 29 drums containing various substances, six buckets containing unknown white material, 64 sacks containing probable caustic soda, more than 10 gas tanks, and three large-capacity metal pots were seized.
This discovery represents one of the most significant seizures in the region so far this year and comes just hours after the deaths of eight Army and National Guard soldiers when a mine was activated that blew up the armored truck they were traveling in, on the border between Michoacán and Jalisco. The crime is attributed to the terrorist organization (designated as such by the United States) Carteles Unidos, which includes the Los Reyes Cartel and the Tepalcatepec Cartel, withJuan José Farías "El Abuelo" as its top leader.
Despite being the leader of a terrorist group, it is presumed that El Abuelo Farías does not have a single arrest warrant in Michoacán. However, it has been proven that the Army protects its territory from incursions by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, even using helicopter gunships to preserve the drug trafficker's hegemony.
The state government has even further protected the criminal stronghold of Tepalcatepec—a municipality governed by a sister-in-law of El Abuelo Farías—by installing six Interinstitutional Operations Bases with state agents and soldiers, a disproportionate number compared to, for example, Morelia, the state capital, where there are only five bases to protect one million residents, while Tepalcatepec has only 24,000 inhabitants.
The United States justice system ordered the immediate release of pioneering Honduran trafficker Juan Ramón Matta Ballesteros, also identified as Juan Ramón Matta López, after granting him a compassionate sentence reduction after spending 36 years in prison.
Judge John A. Kronstadt of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled that the Honduran should be resentenced to the time already served and released without further delay.
"The motion is granted. It is ordered that the defendant be resentenced to time served on all charges and released immediately," states the official order dated May 27, 2025. However, currently he remains in BOP custody according to the inmate locator, his release date has not been updated yet from his life sentence at Springfield MCFP.
El Heraldo also contacted the Honduran's defense attorney in the United States, Mark Windsor, who reconfirmed that "the information is correct."
Well, as part of the efforts to strengthen security in the state of Guanajuato and also, of course, prevent hydrocarbon theft in that state, which has been on the rise, members of the National Guard, the National Defense, the Navy, the Attorney General's Office, and the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection carried out a joint operation with the State Attorney General's Office and the Secretariat of Security and Peace, both from Guanajuato. After executing four search warrants on several properties, they arrested nine men. Also, as a result of these actions, they seized two handguns and one long firearm, several cartridges, four vehicles, four motorcycles, as well as seven tractor-trailers, 11 trailers. In short, a joint operation between all of these corporations, with, obviously, the leadership of Omar García Harfush, to achieve these objectives. Obviously, everything is already in the corresponding proceedings.
OMAR GARCIA HARFUCH STATEMENT
In operations led by
@GN_MEXICO_
and in coordination with
@Defensamx1
,
@SEMAR_mx
,
@FGRMexico
,
@SSPCMexico
,
@FGEGUANAJUATO
, and
@pazgobgente
, four search warrants were executed at different properties in Guanajuato for the crime of organized crime, resulting in the arrest of 9 people.
Weapons, ammunition, 4 vehicles, 24 tank trucks, 11 semi-trailers, 7 tractor-trailers, and 27,000 liters of asphalt were seized.
In Sonora, a suspected member of the Sinaloa cartel, Jorge Alberto Barbosa García, was arrested while transporting 700 kg of cocaine in a tractor-trailer after a security operation. The drug hidden in coffee packages is equivalent to 2.1 million doses and represents an economic impact of 162 million pesos for the criminal group. The truck was coming from Nuevo León and was destined for Tijuana. The 42-year-old detainee was placed at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor's Office, along with the vehicle and the seized cargo.
Between May 23 and 24, the bodies were located in a house; five have already been identified.
This discovery corresponds to the bodies of 11 men, two women, and four corpses whose sexes are yet to be determined. In an official report, the FGE emphasized that 16 of the discoveries were made on May 23 during the search that began in the early hours of that day.
They used specialized equipment, including Geo Radar and K9 Binomio, with which they identified the bodies. However, the work did not end there, because the next day they began another search and found the last body, which was already in a state of partial skeletonization.
This discovery corresponds to the bodies of 11 men, two women, and four corpses, the sex of which is yet to be determined. Photo: El So de Irapuato
It should be noted that this operation began very early, causing alarm among community residents, who only reported seeing several State Attorney General's Office units surrounding the area near this property and prosecutors entering and exiting with various tools.
The Guanajuato State Attorney General's Office stated that this discovery was not a coincidence, as it was based on a thorough investigation into cases of disappearances committed by private individuals.
In addition to the human remains found at this site, several tools believed to have been used to take the victims' lives were also seized. These included four knives, five machetes, two pickaxes, four shovels, as well as various items of clothing and footwear that also aided the investigation and identification of the victims.
The Guanajuato State Attorney General's Office has a specialized analysis center that also has technology for the prompt identification of victims found in situations like this. Two days after the discovery and seizure of the property, five people have already been identified and are in the process of being returned to their families for a proper burial.
The justice institution reiterated that the investigation is continuing to clarify this incident and return all missing persons to their families.
At a meeting in the Senate, the federal Secretary of Security spoke about the operation that led to the death of Jorge Humberto "F," who was considered one of the main perpetrators of violence in the region.
By: Editorial Staff
May 26, 2025 - 5:14 pm
Sinaloa.- The head of the Federal Government's Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, acknowledged the heroic work of the Mexican Army in the operation that resulted in the death of Jorge Humberto "F," alias "El Perris" or "El 27," last Friday in Navolato, Sinaloa.
In a meeting at the Senate of the Republic, and when questioned by the media on this issue, the federal official indicated that the military was conducting an operation to arrest this individual, who was identified as one of the main perpetrators of violence in the region and who even had a wanted list from the United States.
He indicated that the soldiers were attacked, two of them were even injured, so they responded to the attack, and that the confrontation resulted in the death of "El Perris."
"I would like to mention that the Mexican Army performed a truly heroic task. Two military colleagues were wounded in this operation, which resulted in the death of this individual nicknamed 'El Perris.' This individual, known for his high level of violence, was linked to unlawful deprivation of liberty, kidnapping, and homicides, including his participation in what is known as the 'Culiacanazo,' in which he attacked authorities.
"This individual also had a bounty on him in the United States, and at the time of the operation leading to his arrest, military personnel were attacked, but bravely repelled the attack. They are wounded but out of danger, and we extend our full recognition to the Mexican Army," the head of Security stated.
Omar García Harfuch emphasized that President Claudia Sheinbaum's government continues with these strategies to combat insecurity, as evidenced by the fact that more than 21,000 people have been arrested so far during the current administration.
It is worth noting that on the afternoon of Friday, May 23, after a shootout between federal forces and armed civilians, Jorge Humberto "F," alias "El Perris" or "El 27," was killed in the town of Bariometo, in the municipality of Bachimeto, in the Sinaloa region.
During the same incident, it was confirmed that two soldiers were wounded by gunfire and were taken to a hospital in the city of Culiacán for medical attention.
US authorities were offering a reward of one million dollars to anyone who provides information leading to the capture of "El 27," equivalent to approximately 20 million pesos.
On September 21, 2024, Jorge Humberto "N," alias "El 27" or "La Perris," allegedly escaped during an operation carried out by the Mexican Army, which ended in a confrontation in some apartments in the Tres Ríos Urban Development sector. It was reported that he fled through the sewers of said building.
The facilities remain guarded by members of the Mexican Army, the National Guard, and other security forces, who maintain strict control over access.
Noroeste/Redacción
05/26/2025 3:17 PM
CULIACÁN. _ The body of Jorge Humberto, alias "La Perris," killed last Friday, May 23, by federal forces in the municipal seat of Navolato, remains under protection at the facilities of the Forensic Medical Service (Semefo), based in Culiacán.
Three days after the confrontation, authorities have confirmed that several people have come forward to claim the body. However, for security reasons, Semefo personnel have not provided an identification card or proceeded with the release of the body.
Currently, forensic experts continue with studies and autopsy examinations to officially corroborate that this is the alleged member of a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel killed at a home in the Ciudades Hermanas neighborhood of Navolato, where members of the Ministry of National Defense carried out an operation.
The facilities remain guarded by members of the Mexican Army, the National Guard, and other security forces, who maintain strict access control. Admission is restricted to persons not involved in the process, with only immediate family members who come to claim the body being allowed in.
Federal authorities confirmed to Milenio that Humberto Figueroa, "El Perris" or "La Perris," a former leader of the Chapitos hitmen, was killed this afternoon in a confrontation with federal forces in Navolato. The shootout broke out after alleged criminals ambushed an army convoy in the community of Bariometo.
Who is or was this man who was killed this afternoon? Jorge Humberto Figueroa Benitez, "El Perris," or "La Perris," until September 2024, was considered the head of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán's security force.
"El Chapito," after the arrest of Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, alias "El Nini," with whom he led the Nini group. The United States State Department is offering or offering a million dollars for information that would lead to his capture.
The capture will no longer take place, as he was killed this afternoon, I insist, on the 21st. In September of last year, La Perris escaped from an apartment in the Tres Ríos neighborhood of Culiacán during an operation where his hitmen and bodyguards used grenades to evade the operation and for him to flee.
In March, federal government intelligence sources reported to this space that Perris operated in collaboration with the federal government and that his support had led to the arrest of several criminal leaders of the Chapitos. This means that he had betrayed the Chapitos to provide information. Today, in a confrontation, he was killed, according to what authorities confirmed to Milenio. Federal authorities have killed Perris, or La Perris, who was the leader of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán's hitmen, but later betrayed him and provided information relevant to the arrests and operations against that group. This is a division of the Sinaloa cartel known as the Chapitos, who are currently fighting with the Mayos. more than 9 months
In the following pictures, the alleged body of Jorge Humberto Figueroa Benitez, "La Perris" or "27," who was killed in a raid by military forces.
This was the confrontation where the Army 🪖 killed Humberto Figueroa alias "La Perris" or "El 27"
🚨This is how the Army 🪖 killed Humberto Figueroa, alias "La Perris" or "El 27," in #Navolato, #Sinaloa, this Friday. It was a multi-day ground and air operation where the military had already been attacked in La Palma.
OMAR GARCIA HARFUCH CONFIRMS DEATH OF LA PERRIS, OR 27 VIOLENT MEMBER OF LOS CHAPITOS
As part of the strategy to build peace in Sinaloa, an operation was carried out to arrest Jorge Humberto "N," alias "El Perris." Members of @Defensamx1 were heavily attacked by armed men. After repelling the attack in self-defense, the individual, identified as one of the main perpetrators of violence in the state, lost his life.
This individual is identified as one of the main orchestrators of the attacks on authorities in 2019 in Culiacán, in addition to being linked to homicides and kidnappings that affected the peace and tranquility of Sinaloa society.
LA PERRIS OR 27 IN ACTION ON OCTOBER 17, 2019
SOURCE: ZULU ON TELEGRAM
As a curious fact about the now deceased, in 2019 he became famous when he was recorded firing a Barrett at federal forces during the first attempt to capture Ovidio Guzmán in 2019.
A wealthy Utah family between May 2022 and March 2025, managed to cross into the United States some $300 million in crude oil, and they managed to launder at least $47 million of it for CJNG linked businesses.
The Jensens face charges including material support to a foreign terrorist organization, fuel trafficking, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $530 million.
A global law enforcement operation coordinated by Europol has struck a major blow to the criminal underground, with 270 arrests of dark web vendors and buyers across ten countries. Known as Operation RapTor, this international sweep has dismantled networks trafficking in drugs, weapons, and counterfeit goods, sending a clear signal to criminals hiding behind the illusion of anonymity.
The suspects were identified through coordinated investigations based on intelligence from the takedowns of the dark web marketplaces Nemesis, Tor2Door, Bohemia and Kingdom Markets. Many had conducted thousands of sales on illicit marketplaces, using encryption tools and cryptocurrencies to cover their tracks — but law enforcement closed in.
This international action follows Operation SpecTor in 2023, which led to 288 arrests. Together, these operations show the increasing ability of law enforcement to penetrate the dark web’s cloak of secrecy.
Treasury Sanctions High-Ranking Members of Foreign Terrorist Organization Cartel del Noreste
Cartel Engaged in Drug and Arms Trafficking, as well as Deadly 2022 Attack on U.S. Consulate
WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two high-ranking members of the Mexico-based Cartel del Noreste (CDN), formerly known as Los Zetas. CDN, one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations in Mexico and a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), exerts significant influence over the border region, especially near the Laredo/Nuevo Laredo point of entry. These sanctions underscore our commitment to target CDN and other violent cartels involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking, and other heinous crimes that are endangering the American people.
“In working toward the total elimination of cartels to Make America Safe Again, the Trump Administration will hold these terrorists accountable for their criminal activities and abhorrent acts of violence,” saidSecretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “CDN and its leaders have carried out a violent campaign of intimidation, kidnapping, and terrorism, threatening communities on both sides of our southern border. We will continue to cut off the cartels’ ability to obtain the drugs, money, and guns that enable their violent activities.”
Today’s action was coordinated with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This action was also closely coordinated with Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit, Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera.
The action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059, which targets the proliferation of illicit drugs and their means of production, and pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, which targets terrorists and their supporters.
CARTEL DEL NORESTE
CDN is a terrorist organization primarily based in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon. CDN has been involved in narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking, money laundering, vehicle theft, and oil theft. They have also been involved in terrorist activity to intimidate American citizens and local communities in Mexico, including engaging in acts of extortion, kidnapping, and murder.
In March 2022, CDN hit the U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo with gunfire and grenades after the arrest of a CDN member who was wanted in Mexico for terrorism, homicide, and extortion. The U.S. Consulate closed for almost a month due to this incident. This was a retaliatory act intended to intimidate the American diplomats serving their country internationally.
On February 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of State identified CDN as an FTO and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). Prior to its designation as an FTO, CDN, then known as Los Zetas, was identified by the United States as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker on April 15, 2009 pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) for playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking. On July 24, 2011, Los Zetas was named as a transnational criminal organization (TCO) in the annex to E.O. 13581. On December 15, 2021, OFAC designated CDN pursuant to E.O. 14059.
SANCTIONING KEY MEMBERS OF CARTEL DEL NORESTE
Miguel Angel de Anda Ledezma(De Anda) is a high-ranking member of CDN residing in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. De Anda oversees the procurement of guns and ammunition for CDN. In this position, De Anda has overseen payments to facilitators and straw purchasers in the United States and organized the delivery of firearms to Nuevo Laredo. These straw purchasers made false representations to secure firearms from American businesses, who fell victim to the cartel’s lies. Some of the weapons have been used in terrorist activity. One of the weapons purchased in this arms-trafficking conspiracy was recovered after CDN attacked Mexico’s army, Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA), during one of SEDENA’s patrols in March 2024.
Firearms acquired by affiliates of CDN smuggled into Mexico
Ricardo Gonzalez Sauceda (Gonzalez), residing in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, was the second-in-command of CDN prior to his February 2025 arrest by Mexican authorities. In this capacity, Gonzalez led an armed enforcement wing of CDN. Gonzalez has benefitted from these trafficked firearms in his various criminal activities, including attacks on Mexican police and military, and drug trafficking. On February 3, 2025, Mexican law enforcement arrested Gonzalez in connection with the August 17, 2024 CDN attack on the Mexican military, which killed two Mexican soldiers and injured five. Mexican authorities indicated that, at the time of arrest, Gonzalez was in possession of a rifle, a handgun, 300 grams of methamphetamine, and a package of 1,500 fentanyl pills.
EL RICKY
OFAC’s designation of De Anda and Gonzalez was the result of strong partnership and coordination with HSI San Antonio, ATF San Antonio (Operation Southbound Firearms Trafficking Task Force), and the DEA.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.
Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC’s Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC’s enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities with designated or otherwise blocked persons.
Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions with the persons designated today entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Pursuant to this authority, OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on the opening or maintaining in the United States of a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducted or facilitated any significant transaction on behalf of an SDGT.
Exports, reexports, or transfers of items subject to U.S. export controls involving persons included on the SDN List pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, may be subject to additional restrictions administered by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security. See 15 C.F.R. section 744.8 for additional information.
The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC’s Frequently Asked Question 897 here, and to submit a request for removal, click here.
He is linked to extortion, homicide, drug trafficking and firearms.
Paola Covarrubias
In the state of Jalisco, two people were arrested, including Alfredo "N," identified as one of the operators of a criminal group causing violence in several municipalities of Zacatecas.
Members of the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of the Navy, the Attorney General's Office (FGR), the National Guard, and the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection participated in these operations, along with the Attorney General's Office of the State of Zacatecas.
Following lines of investigation to locate perpetrators of violence in the state of Zacatecas, Alfredo "N" was identified. He was involved in the buying and selling of narcotics, firearms, homicides, kidnapping, and extortion, with a presence in several municipalities in southwestern Zacatecas.
The same investigation revealed that the individual traveled to the state of Nayarit in April of this year, seeking protection from authorities. Therefore, he was monitored using mobile surveillance and technological equipment.
This led to the detection of his intended destination in the municipality of Magdalena, Jalisco, to a property in the La Cañita neighborhood. An operation was deployed, locating Alfredo "N," who was accompanied by Isidro "N." They were stopped and subjected to a security check.
After the operation, two long guns, one handgun, three magazines, 44 cartridges, two kilos of cocaine, and 900 doses of methamphetamine were found on them.
Along with the confiscated items, both individuals were handed over to the Public Ministry agent, who will determine their legal status and conduct subsequent investigations.
It's worth mentioning that Alfredo "N" has an outstanding arrest warrant in the state of Zacatecas for extortion, bribery, and criminal conspiracy. Furthermore, Isidro "N" is a public official in the municipality of Hostotipaquillo, Jalisco.
Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez, 39, of Mexico, is the first trafficker from CJNG to be charged under the new cartel terrorist (FTO) designations in the United States and Canada. She was arrested earlier this month in Mexico.
The terrorism charges are primarily related to the allegations that her group conspired with others to provide and did attempt to provide grenades to the CJNG, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
“Cartels like CJNG are terrorist groups that wreak havoc in American communities and are responsible for countless lives lost in the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere.” stated US Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Additionally, Navarro-Sanchez, is charged with conspiracy to smuggle and transport aliens in the United States, straw purchasing and trafficking in firearms, bulk cash smuggling conspiracy, and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
The Security Cabinet reported that tactical equipment bearing the legend "Special Forces Mencho. Operation Yogurt" was found during the arrest of nine people.
WRITTEN BY: MANUEL ESPINO
During an operation in Huitzontla, a town in the municipality of Chinicuila in the Michoacán coastal mountains, the Navy clashed with a criminal cell led by "Yogurt," one of the regional operators of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). This operation resulted in the deaths of 12 hitmen, three marines wounded, and nine arrested.
Reports from the Security Cabinet indicate that the group involved was the armed group known as "Los Indestructibles," under the command of Abraham Jesús Ambriz Cano, alias Yogurt, head of the CJNG in the border area of the states of Michoacán, Jalisco, and Colima, a strategic route for the trafficking of chemical precursors and the production of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl.
The "Yogurt" armed group is made up of Mexicans and former Colombian military personnel with expertise in handling high-powered weapons and war tactics.
According to intelligence reports, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel established an alliance with the Gulf Cartel to control important routes and border crossings leading to the United States.
Reports indicate that the leader of "Los Metros," a faction of the Gulf Cartel with a presence in Tamaulipas and Colima, César Morfin Morfin, alias Primito and/or Metro 300, was responsible for establishing the alliance, allowing CJNG members access and presence in municipalities in northern Tamaulipas.
After the blow received by the Navy's special forces, the criminal cell retreated to the territories it controls and intensified the planting of explosive devices in the access routes to the indigenous community, according to sources from the Security Cabinet.
To prevent federal forces from taking the detainees, individuals affiliated with the criminal cell dug ditches in dirt roads that connect to the Coalcomán–Aquila highway.
It was also determined that this criminal cell has a social base, as during the operation, men, women, and children attempted to block access to the town to prevent the marines from entering.
Chinicuila is a primarily agricultural municipality in Michoacán, but with mining activity, which has been targeted for years by criminal groups operating in Michoacán.
The Navy officers seized high-powered weapons, homemade explosives, bulletproof vests, tactical clothing, and a beret bearing the legend: "Special Forces Mencho. Operation Yogurt."
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