"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

Russia's foreign intelligence service assured that United States military companies are recruiting members of Mexican and Colombian cartels in US prisons to send them to Ukraine so that they can fight alongside the armed forces. According to Russian foreign intelligence, if the drug traffickers accept this business trip in exchange, they will be rewarded with total immunity of their sentences. 

These mercenary companies under the leadership of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are recruiting representatives from the Mexican and Colombian cartels in prison according to Russian authorities. 

The United States is resorting to increasingly desperate methods in its attempts to turn the tide of the Ukrainian theater of operations by replenishing the devalued ranks of the Ukrainian armed forces with a multinational group prone to armed violence, Russia's foreign intelligence service said through a statement. 

Pointing out that the first group of thugs composed of Mexicans and Colombians will travel to the Ukrainian front in the summer. In this regard, the United States embassy in Mexico rejected Russia's allegations about the alleged recruitment of members of drug trafficking cartels to send them to Ukraine. As the saying goes, when a stain doesn’t leave a visible spot on something it does blemish it, diplomatic headquarters quoted words said by President López Obrador.

Grillonautas 2

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

This article was translated and reposted from RIODOCE 

More than 120 tons of precursors and essential chemicals for the production of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine are seized in Nuevo León and Sinaloa.

The products were destined for clandestine laboratories operated by the faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by capo Ismael El Mayo Zambada, and his son Ismael Zambada Sicairos, alias Mayito Flaco, according to El Universal.

In a two-day joint operation with Cofepris and local authorities, elements of the Mexican Navy, the chemical precursors seized have a value of 87 million pesos.

In the federal security cabinet they detected that the Sinaloa Cartel moved part of the laboratories to Nuevo León to produce synthetic drugs.

SOURCE: RIODOCE 

 "Char" for Borderland Beat

The judge determined that the Attorney General's Office of the Republic did not present sufficient evidence in criminal case 254/2023 to prosecute González Valencia for said crimes.

EL UNIVERSAL 

In the proceedings, prosecutors accused alias "La Jefa" of belonging to the Valencia Cartel and the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel, the latter with management and command functions.

To confirm their statements, they presented interviews with collaborating witnesses, who narrated events from 1990 to date, about how the Valencia Cartel was formed, then the Millennium Cartel and then the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel, in which they allegedly had participated in all.

One of the prosecutors argued that González Valencia received tons of drugs in Uruapan, Michoacán, and that she distributed the shipments.

However, the judge rejected the arguments of the Federal Public Ministry, and ruled that Rosalinda González Valencia should not be involved in the process, who is currently being held in the Federal Center for Social Rehabilitation Number 16, Femenil de Morelos, serving a five-year sentence. for his responsibility in the crime of money laundering, in the form of concealment.

In this matter, a Court of Appeal is pending to resolve the challenge that González Valencia's defense presented against the sentence, considering it to have been poorly made.

Rosalinda González Valencia's defense, headed by lawyer Víctor Beltrán, considered that the Attorney General's Office seeks to keep her client in prison, with unsubstantiated accusations.

SOURCE: EL UNIVERSAL 

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

This article was translated and reposted from RIODOCE 

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

The old school boss Rafael Caro Quintero assures that he is not Rafael Caro Quintero. This is one of the arguments that he presented before a federal court to avoid his extradition to the United States, arguing that he is not the drug lord that the US Department of Justice is looking for. According to judicial documents to which Reforma had access, Caro Quintero requested that 10 expert opinions be carried out. 

Among them those of the physical identity system and forensic photography to try to demonstrate that his capture was a mistake and that in any case the real drug trafficker is still out there. As in the formal extradition request, the Americans offered a video in which the drug trafficker appears. He also requested that computer experts be applied in analysis of audio, video, photographs, and stenographic transcriptions. 

As well as acoustics, phonetics, forensics, and voice analysis. The informative note clarifies that although Caro Quintero hasn’t denied his name in the process. He has a legal strategy position with which he wants to convince that scientifically his features don’t coincide with those of the 7 photographs or a video submitted in the extradition file. In this type of procedures, the photos and images in general presented by the requesting country are the only ones that can be taken into account to establish the identity of the extraditable person. 

This argument is the same one raised by Ovidio Guzmán López, son of Chapo Guzmán, as well as other drug traffickers. Like Eduardo Arellano Félix aka El Doctor and Marco Antonio Paredes Machado, Chapo's operator in Sonora among others. Extradition trials can only be litigated with two arguments or exceptions: proving that the detainee is not the person sought by the requesting country and proving that the formal process doesn’t comply with the extradition treaty between the two countries. 

Caro Quintero has implemented a legal strategy with the purpose of significantly prolonging his extradition to the United States. An action that they consider that he has at his disposal. This perception is based on the absence so far of a legal ruling by Judge Marcela Castro Núñez in charge of the extradition process. Furthermore, it is expected that even after this determination the Secretary of Foreign Affairs should make a ruling, probably followed by the presentation of an amparo by the boss. 

Which will require resolution in two additional instances. This complete procedural course is estimated to take more than one year to complete. On the one hand, Caro Quintero argues that the extradition request violates the legal principle of Non bis in ídem, which establishes that no one can be tried twice for the same crime. The reasoning is that since he was already tried in Mexico and sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of Camarena in 1985, he cannot be tried again for the same crime in the United States. 

It is important to note that when the United States presented the formal extradition request, it didn’t only request his surrender for the Camarena case. It was also for three other accusations that the United States had not previously processed for his provisional detention. The Americans also formally requested his extradition to stand trial on four criminal charges. So, if the extradition in the Camarena case fails, the Americans have other actions pending in different courts.

Grillonautas 2

"HEARST" for Borderland Beat

US Customs & Border Patrol stated they will start naming the Mexican cartel bosses who control certain regions south of the border in order to “to increase public and law enforcement pressure on them.”

They began with the Nogales region, naming Sinaloa Cartel’s Sergio Valenzuela Valenzuela, alias “El Gigio” - an old friend of Mayo Zambada. 

They also made clear why they were focusing on El Gigio first, above other cartel figures, stating that the plaza Gigio controls is responsible for the most fentanyl heading into the US, and "44% of the fentanyl being trafficked to the U.S.”

CBP Announces They Are Going After El Gigio

On April 10, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced through a press release a multi-agency effort called Operation Plaza Spike which they say is meant to “target the cartels that facilitate the flow of deadly fentanyl.”

The operation is designed to “disrupt operations in the plazas, [in the] cartel territories located directly south of the United States that are natural logistical choke points within the cartels’ operations.”

The press release states the operation will include “releasing the name of the plazas’ senior ranking cartel officials, the plaza bosses, to increase public and law enforcement pressure on them.”

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said the operation is a part of the department’s campaign which “directly attacks” cartel groups, saying “We are sparing no effort to dismantle cartels and ensure [that] everyone, from kingpins to plaza bosses, are brought to justice.”

The press release states that “CBP’s first target is the Nogales plaza [...] Sergio Valenzuela Valenzuela, aka Gio [or Gigio], the Nogales plaza boss, was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2018 for his role as a Sinaloa Cartel plaza boss.” 

Troy A. Miller, a CBP senior official, stated that “We are entering the next phase in our fight against fentanyl: one where we are going after the plaza bosses, whose organizations are responsible for virtually everything that is smuggled into the United States [...] Sergio Valenzuela Valenzuela is the first plaza boss that we target, but he won’t be the last.

The press release states “Valenzuela Valenzuela and his organization are allegedly responsible for moving thousands of pounds of fentanyl to the U.S. border. Nearly every day, CBP officers intercept fentanyl headed from Valenzuela Valenzuela’s plaza northbound through CBP ports of entry onward to cities across the United States.”

The press release ends with “CBP and DEA are also calling on the public to provide any relevant information they may have about Sergio Valenzuela Valenzuela, his movements, his associates, and his operation. Tips can be provided anonymously by calling or texting 619-540-6912 via phone, Telegram, WhatsApp and Signal. Information can also be submitted through Snapchat at narcos_tips or by using the Threema ID: 2VBZFZTY.”

How They Say This Operation Will Work

The CBP created a page on their website with more details on Operation Spike Plaza, including: 

“How will Operation Plaza Spike work?  

CBP can converge and focus resources on a natural logistical chokepoint within the cartel's operation and severely hinder its top money-making scheme. Operation Plaza Spike will have three key lines of effort: 

1. Intelligence

2. Disrupt and Degrade Operations

3. Deliver Legal Consequences

CBP and partners will support ongoing investigations tied to both plaza operations as well as the plaza boss.

CBP will also focus on the outbound illegal exportation of weapons and currency from the U.S. to the cartels in Mexico, severely hampering their ability to wage violence in furtherance of their drug and human trafficking empire.

CBP will use a variety of actions and authorities, including revoking visas from known associates, scrutinizing related cross-border business entities and cross-border trade, seizing illicit proceeds, and more.

CBP will leverage partnerships, authorities, and resources of other government agencies.” 

They also included their definition of a plaza, stating:

“A plaza is a specific territory controlled by a cartel in Mexico, located in a strategic geographic location, often directly south of a U.S. border crossing. There are 27 plazas operating in Mexico. Plaza bosses: high-ranking cartel official who controls all illicit activity through the plaza – extortion, kidnapping, and the trafficking of humans, dangerous drugs, and firearms."

It's interesting to note that the CBP’s definition of plaza doesn’t really line up with how the term is used in cartel news. Plazas are traditionally thought of as specific areas which have cartel activity controlled by a boss, yes, but not necessarily “often directly south of the border.” It’s a word that equates to territory or turf, and they occur all across Mexico. 

And furthermore, the idea that there are only 27 plazas doesn’t really seem to match how most people use the term. Keep in mind that there are 31 states in Mexico and most people would say there is at least one plaza (if not many more) within each state, so it’ll be interesting to see if CBP adjusts how they are using the term or clarify that they meant 27 plazas that are significant to US drug trafficking. 

The web page ends with:

“Nothing happens in the plaza without the plaza boss knowing about, directing it, or taking a cut. Sergio Valenzuela Valenzuela heads the plaza responsible for the most fentanyl heading to the U.S. in Nogales, Mexico. He and his organization are responsible for 44% of the fentanyl being trafficked to the U.S., the deadliest drug we have yet to encounter.”

The Press Conference Held by CBP, HSI and the DEA

On April 10, Troy A. Miller, the acting commissioner of the CBP, held a press conference (video) at the Nogales Port of Entry to formally announce the operation. He was joined by representatives of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). 

After giving a statement about Operation Plaza Spike, he made statements specifically naming the Sinaloa Cartel and El Gigio, saying “We know this plaza is under the control of the Sinaloa Cartel plaza boss named Sergio Valenzuela Valenzuela, also known as ‘Gio’.” 

Miller handed it off to DEA Deputy Chief of Operations James Nunnallee, who made similar statements and he specifically named El Gigio in his comments as well. 

Then it opened up for a question and answer session with reporters. Reporters asked some pretty standard questions about how this operation was going to be different from previous ones and Miller gave some expected answers about interagency collaboration and resource efficiency, as well as talking about working with their law enforcement counterparts in Mexico. 

A KVOA reporter asked him about the most common method that Gigio’s group uses to smuggle fentanyl through the Tucson sector of the border. 

Miller answered that the most common way was through ports of entry in Nogales, with “vehicles, mostly small loads, pills - mostly pills. 90% of the seizures that we’re seeing across the southwest happen at ports of entry. 44% right here, at this port.” 

When asked about fentanyl detecting technology, Miller mentioned that both ports of entry in Nogales (Mariposa and DeConcini) have  Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology. 

These are things like large-scale X-rays, Gamma-ray systems, and handheld scanners. Miller mentioned that 50% of all traffic which goes through Nogales Mariposa is screened. 

Of note, there was a proposed congressional bill (S.1822) which would require CBP to use such systems on 40% of passenger vehicles and 90% of commercial vehicles entering the United States. The Budget Office estimated that it would cost about 982 million (of appropriated funds) for the CBP to reach these numbers. The bill hasn’t seen much activity since October of last year. 

Despite the CBP saying they wish to increase public pressure on plaza bosses, the CBP has not published any photos of Gigio on their website or included any photos of him within their press release. 

A graphic representing Operation Spike Plaza was printed out and displayed at the press conference but, again, no images of Gigio were displayed puring the press conference either.

It's unclear if this was a simple oversight or a deliberate decision made to appease the Mexican government, which has various laws about a civilian’s right to not have their unblurred photo published prior to being convicted of a crime (Gigio is just indicted, not convicted).

Although it wasn't mentioned by the CBP, it's important to note that El Gigio is believed to be a direct report of Mayo Zambada and Mayo’s son Ismael Zambada Sicairos, “Mayito Flaco”, his heir apparent. 

The Fentanyl Smuggling at the Nogales Border

On April 8, 2024, Port Director Michael Humphries announced on Twitter a number of large fentanyl seizures which had taken place during the course of 4 days. 

On March 26, approximately 166,270 fentanyl laced pills were discovered by CBP officers. The pills appear to have been pressed to look like blue oxycodone M30 tablets, which seems fairly common for fentanyl pills. The pills were found hidden inside plastic bags, within a microwave.

On March 28, approximately 661,050 fentanyl pills and 3.9lbs of meth were found by CBP officers inside a deflated bounce house - the type that are rented out for children’s birthday parties and fairs.

Then, on March 29, officers found 362,700 fentanyl pills hidden inside the doors and firewall of a vehicle that was attempting to cross the Nogales border crossing.

This means that, over the course of those four days, CBP officers seized a total of 1,190,020 or 1.1 million fentanyl pills which were being smuggled across the border. And, as is inevitable, these seizures represent the fentanyl they managed to find. There’s a decent possibility that some managed to slip through the border unnoticed during this same time frame.

Of note, in 2021, DEA lab testing found that 4 out of every 10 seized fentanyl pills contained a potentially lethal amount of fentanyl, 2 mg of fentanyl equates to a potentially deadly dose. 

In 2023, that same testing found that 7 out of every 10 contained a potentially lethal dose. 

If we apply this to the number of pills seized during those four days in Nogales, then CBP seized approximately 833,014 potentially lethal doses. 

It is worth noting that this testing refers to 2 mg of fentanyl as a potentially deadly dose and chronic opioid users are known to build up a tolerance to the effects of opioids, which leads to dose escalation, so a lethal dosage will end up varying person to person. 

It's hard to judge if these 4 days of seizures are considered to be a spike in how much is being smuggled, or in any way statistically anomalous.

The amount of pedestrian, vehicular and commercial traffic which goes through each port of entry differs by location and the busier ports of entry tend to see higher seizure numbers. However the amount of traffic experienced also changes with the seasons.

But here’s one thing that’s a bit easier to determine: for the first time - in 2023, more fentanyl was seized at Arizona border crossings than at the San Diego-Tijuana border crossing.

Some things to note: Most of the fentanyl which is smuggled through Nogales isn’t produced in Nogales nor is it necessarily produced by Gigio’s men.

The act of transporting fentanyl across the US is one step within a much larger process - a process which involves importing precursor chemicals that are needed for production, production of fentanyl itself, and then smuggling it across Mexico to a location which is near the US border.

There are locations all across Mexico where fentanyl is produced. It actually used to be somewhat uncommon to see drug labs in Sonora producing fentanyl, however, over the last year, there may have been a shift. 

There have been rumors that the Sinaloa Cartel (and in particular the Chapito brothers) has been trying to move their existing fentanyl production from Sinaloa to Sonora in order to draw law enforcement attention away from their home state. 

Also of note, there are some claims online that Gigio allows drugs from both the Mayo faction and the Chapitos faction to be smuggled through Nogales, meaning that although Gigio may be a Mayo faction plaza boss, he may allow the Chapitos faction to operate and smuggle within his territory.

A review of El Gigio's criminal history and more details about the men who work under him to follow.

Sources: CBP Nogales Twitter Post 1, Post 2Post 3, Post 4, DEA Fentanyl Fact Sheet 2021, DEA One Pill 2023, Wiley, AZPM, DVIDS, Tucson Sentinel, Arizona Daily Star, CBP Press Release, Page on Operation Plaza Spike

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

A study by the company specialized in private security Círculo Logístico has identified that six cartels and 74 armed groups in the country have taken over the crime of highway merchandise theft. Here the results

The times when robbers randomly “hit” trailers loaded with merchandise are long gone. For at least three years, organized crime has been implementing technology and strategies that are used in war conflicts along the country's roads, with the aim of precisely looting the best-selling products on the black market.

A study by the company specialized in private security Círculo Logístico has identified that six cartels and 74 armed groups in the country have taken over the crime of theft of merchandise on highways – which leaves profits for organized crime of at least 4.1 billion dollars a year – with an increase in the use of violence and tactics similar to those used by armies at war.

To do so, they have made their way through employees of industrial parks and distribution centers with bullets and death threats to force them to hand over the schedules, routes and license plates of those who will be their targets of attack. In addition, they specifically track the trucks using drones with GPS jammers to deactivate the companies' satellite monitoring.

“We have calculated that 20% of the people in the (transportation and distribution) industry who work with them do so for money; but 80% of these people are directly threatened with death, or their families,” says Héctor Romero, also vice president of the Security and Justice Commission of the Employers' Confederation of the Mexican Republic (Coparmex).

“Until a few years ago, highway robbers brought small, short weapons and did not use them in robberies. They used surprise and shock tactics more. Today they are using high-powered rifles, weapons modified to pierce the armor of cargo trucks. We are already facing a new phase of crime,” he describes.

Criminals from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Gulf Cartel, Northeast Cartel, Sinaloa Cartel, La Unión Tepito Cartel and what remains of the Tláhuac Cartel carry, for example, high voltage batteries to “blow up” the electromagnetic security plates, as well as radio frequency equipment that interferes with surveillance cameras to prevent videos from being recorded inside and outside the trailers at the time of the theft.

On the other hand, their armed forces dedicated to huachicoleo, trafficking of undocumented migrants or weapons are using caltrops made with high-resistance materials, such as those thrown at the passage of military convoys, or high-precision rifles of Russian origin – 12.7 x108 mm, for example – to pierce tires from a distance, even if they have rubber covering them.

“They are going to do everything possible to obtain very specific merchandise that we already have perfectly located and that is the one that is causing the most violence on the country's roads,” says Héctor Romero.

From chilies to Boss, Zegna and CK

In 2023, the most stolen things on roads and highways were food and drinks, followed by appliances, construction materials, auto parts, clothing and footwear. And in categories this broad, organized crime has very specific tastes.

In food and beverages, the company Círculo Logístico identified that the priority objectives are usually cookies, cans of chili peppers and tuna. These robberies usually occur around 5:00 a.m. so that by 7:00 a.m. at the latest they are already in the inventories of the flea market stalls and markets supplied by organized crime, according to Héctor Romero.

By noon, the trace of that merchandise will have been lost, while the National Guard is just interrogating the assaulted driver.

Among household appliances, flat screens, irons, washing machines, radios and headphones are magnets for organized crime.

“And this is worse during the Christmas season or around Mother's Day. The cartels steal more and with greater violence, but with a different logic than that of food and drinks: they do not resell, but rather they give it away. And they do it to gain the protection of vulnerable neighbors under the pretext of taking from the rich to give to the poor,” explains Romero.

After these goods, they are followed by the highly coveted construction material, mainly cement, sand and rods; Carrying that requires as much secrecy as if it were gold, oil or water in times of drought. Then, auto parts that are usually damaged in crashes, such as windows, bumpers and fenders, are coveted by crime.

“And the clothes, of course. It is already very dangerous to transport branded clothing in this country. But not just any type or brand. There is a fixation on sportswear and very particular brands such as Hugo Boss, Ermenegildo Zegna, Calvin Klein... The most stolen items are pants, shirts, belts and, for women, underwear," says the specialist.

Extreme violence against drivers

In recent years, he accuses, “on-demand robberies” have also grown, that is, cartels ask armed forces to go after specific merchandise at all costs.

These tend to be the most violent robberies, as criminal organizations pay smaller groups an advance to guarantee the robbery; If they are not achieved, the armed forces must return that money and even pay a kind of “fine” for non-compliance.

These are the cases that typically circulate virally on social networks: criminals who shoot at the driver as soon as they have set foot outside the car, who do not hesitate to burst the metal plates with bullets because they know perfectly well what is inside, who have accomplices spread over several sections so as not to fail with theft from the company.

“In some cases, as the drivers themselves have told me, they don't just hit or block them. We have had cases of drivers being raped,” says Héctor Romero.

These are not sexual assaults in which pleasure is sought, but rather humiliating the other so that they know who are the ones who have the power on the roads.

Many drivers have had to create their own strategies to get to safety. Some travel with the bed of the truck or trailer open – even if that warrants a violation – so that criminals can see that they do not have cargo; Others put low-end cell phones in their shoes, but with GPS, to help their relatives locate them if they are missing in the hope that the battery lasts long enough to be found.

It is also common that robbery begins after traffic accidents or robberies

The above contributes to inflation for buyers, an increase that responds not only to the losses caused by product theft, but also to the violence associated with it.

“Consumers notice this in the final price of the goods,” confirms Romero. “Everything has increased, on average, 20% in the value of the product, because transportation companies have to spend more and more on security. And due to the violence and technology of crime, this protection is very expensive, because you have to be, at least, on par with the cartels.”

State-of-the-art ceramic armor, low-weight ballistic vests that allow the operator to run to protect his life, high-precision GPS that resists organized crime inhibitors, electromagnetic and automatic closing plates, closed video surveillance circuits in cabins and vehicles escorts that function as a wall against criminals are the measures that companies hire and implement the most.

The prices of insurance against theft have also gone through the roof, explains the specialist. For many companies they are already priceless, especially for those who work on the routes of the State of Mexico, Puebla, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala and Veracruz, which is where the most thefts occur and where the most drivers disappear.

“The most expensive product is the one that doesn't make it to the shelf. It is very expensive for a company if its merchandise is not in the stores and the competition's is, so millions of pesos are paid in security, but many times even then it cannot be guaranteed that the chicken, avocado, canned or sugar arrive to the municipalities. That is a misfortune".

Given this reality, the private company Círculo Logístico estimates that in Mexico there is a deficit of about 70,000 freight transport drivers for fear of being the next victims of organized crime.

The older ones retire earlier; The youngest ones don't even attend to the calls. Many others emigrate looking for work in the United States, where higher salaries are offered. Those who stay know that they are going to an office of death.

The company Círculo Logístico estimates that in Mexico there is a deficit of 70 thousand drivers who have been victims of highway robbery.

Milenio

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

The creation of the Delta Group is attributed to a subject nicknamed “El 03”

In the video a considerable group of subjects with weapons appears.

A group of armed individuals, who identified themselves as members of the Delta Group of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), announced their arrival in Los Reyes, Michoacán. These are several subjects who appeared in the middle of a desert. In addition, the subjects took the opportunity to threaten several individuals.

In front of them they placed a table and a white tablecloth; some of those involved were positioned on the ground, while the majority remained standing. The recording was shared on social networks on Tuesday, April 16.

“Good afternoon, town of Los Reyes and its surroundings, we are Grupo Delta of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel of Mr. Mencho and Mr. 3, we are already within the area,” were the first statements from one of the men. Later they mentioned several aliases.

As can be seen in the audiovisual material, there are more than 50 armed individuals who appear with tactical clothing and weapons, while a few cows appear in the background.

“Harlequín, La Sombra, who are in charge of Guicho, Poncho and Poncho Junior's son, who are the ones who have the people with fear and lies,” said the group's spokesperson, who said that the cell is allegedly not involved with actions such as a fees. 

During their message they mentioned Mencho, alias of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes and who is the current leader of the four letters cartel. But they also named Mr. 3, this nickname could refer to a subject identified in some reports as the successor of Oseguera Cervantes. In addition, El 03, as it is also known, was accused by the Mexican government of creating two elite groups within the CJNG, one of them the Delta Group.

"Sincerely. Grupo Delta Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación”, concluded the subject who spoke in front of the camera.

What is the CJNG Delta Group?

It should be remembered that the Delta Group had already been identified in military reports as an armed wing of the CJNG which would be used by El Mencho for high-impact operations, they have been implicated in the murder of the former governor of Jalisco, Aristotle Sandoval.

The authorities identified the activities of said criminal group at least since September 2018. On that occasion Marisela Gómez Cobos, then in charge of the Jalisco Attorney General's Office, reported on the capture of four members of the criminal cell. For this purpose, an operation had to be implemented with around 80 security personnel.

While in 2020 a message attributed to Carteles Unidos and dedicated to the leader of the CJNG was found in which they warned him that they would not let him enter the municipality of Los Reyes. “Mencho, you wont be coming into Los Reyes. Tell your mob to recover their drug tanks, they left them full,” it was read on that occasion.

Jaziel “G”, Alfonso “R”, Tomás “L”, Cristian “M”, Francisco “C”, Brandon “B”, Diego “T”, Leobardo “P”, Jonathan “L”, Rosaura “P”, José “F” and Anthony “O” were surprised by the uniformed officers when they were traveling in a vehicle and trying to enter a property. After their capture, six long weapons, one short weapon, seven magazines, three homemade weapons, 143 rounds of various calibers, in addition to the unit in which they were traveling, were seized.

Due to the above, the 12 people mentioned, among whom was a minor, were accused of carrying weapons for the exclusive use of the authorities.

Infobae

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

This article was translated and reposted from RIODOCE 

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

The SSC of Mexico City reported that it opened an investigation to arrest him.

After images of José Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga, El Fresa, one of the leaders of the Familia Michoacana in the municipality of Tejupilco, State of Mexico, were released, the Mexican Security Secretariat (SSEM) stated that they will continue with the investigations.

Versions spread on social networks portray the criminal leader in the front row at a musical event hosted by regional Mexican artists Edén Muñoz and Remmy Valenzuela in the municipality of Tejupilco, south of the Mexican entity.

Although there is a reward in exchange for information that helps capture him, the truth is that this alleged criminal leader continues with operations together with his brother, mainly in the State of Mexico, Guerrero and Michoacán.

In this regard, the Secretariat of Security of the State of Mexico (SSEM) reported in a press release that they will continue with the corresponding investigations and denied that the investigations regarding these criminal leaders have been frozen.

“It is reported that the actions of the investigation area of ​​the Secretariat of Security of the State of Mexico (SSEM) have never stopped operating and in principle the investigations of organized crime crimes are in charge of the federal government.”

Although they stressed that since these are operations led by the Federation, the agency indicated that they maintain close collaboration and that they will have to keep the investigations confidential.

“However, it is important to highlight that the SSEM has close coordination with the federal government to jointly address the objectives and investigations that are the responsibility of federal crimes, the above in a permanent and systematic manner. For reasons of strategic operations, no further information will be issued in this regard.”

What does the corrido of 'El Fresa' say?

"I am one of the most wanted in a very familiar cartel, I have many friends who have to give their lives for me and also enemies who want to take it from me," is heard in the first stanzas of the El Fresa corrido that the group Gerardo y su Gerarquía premiered in June 2022.

Over four minutes and 24 seconds, the controversial song describes the ostentatious lifestyle of a criminal boss who, although his real name is not mentioned, his alias and description fit the identity of one of the most wanted bosses by federal authorities: José Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga.

Libro Negro  Milenio

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

We are the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. This is a statement to inform and warn all thieves who arrive in Tijuana that here in Tijuana they cannot be working freely without permission from the cartel. This dope load was confiscated for not checking in with us. This isn’t a place for you to want to move dope without our consent. Tijuana has an owner and it belongs to the 4 letters cartel.

Keep listening to Achilles and La Rana. They don’t have anything here. With this action of ours we’re showing you who the true owners of Tijuana actually are. Here you will have to pay what is owed. We are not extorting or charging fees from innocent citizens like seafood sellers, grocers, and taqueros. We’re not cheap like that. You lice infested fools couldn’t even bother to answer the calls from the truck driver who lost the drug load. 

We left him on the side of the road so that you guys can pick him up. And stop crying about the house that got ransacked in Otay. There weren't $250,000 there. There was only two hundred pounds of dope. Stop being such liars and lice infested fools. Keep sending dope loads with Achilles and La Rana and this will continue to happen. Don't believe everything you hear in the narco ballads or see online. 

These individuals are nothing more than daydreamers who seem to think that with their whores in Culiacán they’re going to fix things. Stop calling on the government to solve your problems, you fucking cowards. Nobody wanted to come near us when we had your operatives detained. At the very least you should’ve sent your gunmen to fight. 

You gang of cowards this is warfare between tough men. You wimps should’ve confronted us. But instead you decided to watch us from a distance while we took your shit away. You know damn well who we are and where you can find us. This isn’t a game you fucking faggots. It’s you being extorted and us showing you who’s boss here. 

Sincerely,

Hitmen in unison scream: Jalisco New Generation Cartel!

Mexico Código Rojo  Grillonautas 2

 "Char" for Borderland Beat

This article was translated and reposted from INFOBAE

'David DeWayne Young' is the leader of the dangerous GhostFace Gangsters and was hiding out in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora.

WRITTEN BY: ANDRÉS MARTINEZ 

The state Attorney General's Office (FGJE) of Sonora reported on March 11 that elements of the Ministerial Criminal Investigation Agency (AMIC) captured David DeWayne Young, alias Khaos or Rocky Point; however, new information revealed that Los Chapitos, leaders of a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, allegedly participated in this arrest.

As reported by Infobae Mexico, Khaos was wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after he fled from U.S. authorities on January 11, 2023 after executing "Operation Arrested Phantom".

DeWayne Young had been wanted by authorities since December 8, 2022 following the release of a warrant for his arrest by a U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, which charged him with the crimes of conspiracy, distribution, sale and possession of narcotics.

According to U.S. authorities, the Ghostface Gangsters are primarily engaged in drug trafficking, police killings, and other acts of violence on the streets and in prisons in Georgia.

For this reason, twenty-five people, including three of the seven founders of Ghostface Gangsters Gang, also known for having a white supremacist ideology, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempted murder, mutilation, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, among many others, in August 2022.

Khaos was captured in Hermosillo, Sonora. Photo: Sonora District Attorney's Office

Official information states that David "N" was captured by ministerial agents on Bolsón de Mapimí street in the Solidaridad neighborhood in Hermosillo, Sonora.

This after agents from the National Migration Institute (INM) and AMIC personnel carried out "field and cabinet work with which they established the presumed location of the fugitive in order to capture him".

Khaos, 43, was deported by the INM through the Dennis DeConcini Border Port, where he was handed over to U.S. authorities, informed the Attorney General's Office of the State of Sonora (FGJES).

Despite the aforementioned, journalist Óscar Balmen assured that an FBI source informed him that Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán's sons, better known as Los Chapitos, were involved in this arrest.

"As for El Chapo's sons, they knew that a U.S. fugitive was hiding in one of their strongholds. They decided they would score points with the FBI and hand him over as a goodwill offering," Balmen reported on Luis Cardenas' program on MVS Noticias.

The journalist specialized in drug trafficking and security issues pointed out that "giving his head on a platter would be convenient for them, since, after the surprise arrest and express extradition of Ovidio (Guzmán), they had begun an operation to remove the label of Uncle Sam's priority targets for trafficking fentanyl".

Óscar Balmen detailed that neither Iván Archivaldo and his brothers Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar nor Joaquín Guzmán López were pleased with Young's "anti-Mexican" discourse: "They detested him".

"So Chapo's sons secretly collaborated to hand him over," said the journalist.

He assured that "at the beginning of last month, the elusive Khaos fell for an anonymous tip that people linked to Los Menores (as Los Chapitos are also known) gave to the National Guard in Hermosillo on March 10," explained the journalist who highlighted how the sons of El Chapo Guzmán "laid an improbable hand to the U.S. authorities".

The leadership of Los Chapitos rests with the Guzmán Salazar and Joaquín Guzmán López. (Credit: OFAC)

April 14 marked one year since the U.S. Department of Justice announced new charges in federal courts in the Southern District of New York, Northern District of Illinois, and District of Columbia against several leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, including Los Chapitos and their associates in China who traffic precursor chemicals for the production of fentanyl.

SOURCE: INFOBAE

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

So, there I was looking like a human ornament latched to the front of my rivals Improvised Armored Fighting Vehicle (IAFV) on my ways towards death. 

Without giving too much thought into what I was signing up for. I unwittingly became the tip of the spear for my masters, engaged in a conflict that I wasn’t really prepared for. 

Obviously, I look dumb as fuck in this less than glorious moment that I currently find myself in. But for all intents and purposes this is how the world will more than likely remember me. 

As an earthly decorative piece leading the charge in the direction of my own demise.  

Blog de los Guachos

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

The Attorney General's Office (FGR) handed over to the US government Luis Felipe López Zamora, “Gordo”, who is believed to be the operator of Los Chapitos, an ID belonging to the Sinaloa Cartel (CDS), to comply with the Extradition Treaty. , the man has an arrest warrant from the Federal Court for the Eastern District of California since 2023 for the crimes of criminal association, against health and money laundering.

According to official information, from 2019 to 2021, El Gordo belonged to Los Chapitos, a criminal gang for which he trafficked different illicit substances, including fentanyl, from Mexico to Sacramento, California for distribution. In addition, Luis Felipe López was in charge of collecting the profits from the sale of drugs for subsequent shipment to Mexico.

López Zamora aka El Gordo, was arrested on January 2, 2024 in the Salvatierra neighborhood of Tijuana by elements of the State Citizen Security Force (FESC). This arrest occurred following the request made by the United States government since June 19, 2023 to the FGR to search and capture El Gordo for the aforementioned crimes and once this was done extradite him.

The delivery of Luis Felipe López took place on the morning of this Thursday, April 18, at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM), to the US agents designated for his transfer to that country.

Zeta Tijuana

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

Lorenzo Adrián, who is being held in Cereso 3, is accused of having ordered the attack on official Nicolás Monárrez, where he died and his son and bodyguard were injured.

According to the message, this subject is being held in Cereso #3 in Ciudad Juarez, accused of being the principal instigator of violence among other accusations that are mentioned on these canvases. 

In the message, he is attributed as the person who gave the orders to murder the workers of Aquiles Serdán's Cereso 1. Like the attack on Nicolás Monárrez Gaxiola, who died, leaving his partner José Francisco and Nicolas's son injured, on April 15 in the city of Chihuahua.

The narco message was immediately removed by police authorities, who were notified about the appearance of these blankets, which were secured by the State Attorney General's Office for the integration of the corresponding investigation.

The Attorney General, César Jáuregui Moreno, as well as the Secretary of Public Security of the State, Gilberto Loya Chávez, from the moment the events occurred, had announced that the criminal group called La Empresa had been responsible for committing these events.

At the moment it is unknown whether or not the subject mentioned in the blankets is related to this armed aggression, or to other relevant events that have been committed in both Juárez and Chihuahua.

So far seven people have been arrested for these events, and yesterday six of them were already presented before a judge, who ordered them to be remanded in custody for these events, while the last of them is still awaiting the resolution of her legal situation because she was in labor.

El Heraldo de Chihuahua

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

This article was translated and reposted from RIODOCE 

The announcement is part of the Ecuadorian government's "internal armed conflict" against organized crime gangs operating in its territory.

The name of Giovanny Andrés Rojas, "El Araña", allegedly in charge of the border commandos of the Second Marquetalia, the main dissidence of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), also appears.

This announcement highlights Ecuador's role as a connecting country in the drug trafficking routes between Colombia and the Mexican cartels so that drugs can be moved to the United States.

The list also includes leaders of Ecuadorian criminal gangs, such as José Adolfo Macías, Fito, leader of Los Choneros, who is on the run after escaping from prison where he was serving a long sentence for drug trafficking, organized crime and murder.

Also on the list are Wilmer Chavarría, Pipo, alleged leader of Los Lobos, the main rival of Los Choneros, and Carlos Angulo, El Invisible, accused of murdering presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

SOURCE: RIODOCE 

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

EL 03 

(STEPSON OF MENCHO CJNG LEADER)

MENCHO 

EL 1 

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

It was located during patrols in the community of El Vergel.

The place, abandoned by the criminals when they noticed the presence of the security forces, showed clear signs of recent use. 

Elements of the Mexican Army, National Guard and Immediate Reaction Forces Zacatecas (FRIZ) of the State Preventive Police (PEP) discovered and dismantled a camp used by a criminal group.

The camp was found during patrols on dirt roads in the community of El Vergel, in Tepetongo.

The place, abandoned by the criminals when they noticed the presence of the security forces, showed clear signs of recent use, including garbage, food remains and various personal items.

A long firearm, a magazine and rounds were found in the camp. In order to avoid any reuse or exploitation of the site by criminal groups, the security forces proceeded to destroy the objects and belongings found.

Subsequently, the firearm and other items seized were handed over to the relevant authorities to carry out the corresponding investigations in accordance with the law.

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

The bodily organs of a deceased gunman from the Cazadores / Salazares mob can be seen sliding away on the inside of his open chest cavity. 

It’s the deboning of his left leg at the knee with a large kitchen knife that’s causing his innards to slither around in there. 

Gunmen from the Los Deltas, lead by Erick Cabrera Cabrera aka El Delta 1, took the liberty to remove his head and heart beforehand. 

Under international law the mutilation of dead bodies is strictly forbidden. In spite of this though it hasn’t deterred the Mexican cartels in the least bit from desecrating their own countrymen. 

Sicario #1:  This is how the lives of the fucking Salazares will end here.

Sicario #2: This will be the fate of every faggot that messes with the La Chapiza gunmen you fucks. 

Sicario #3: We are the absolute Delta mob. 

Sicario #4: Go ahead and place all of your weight on the corpse to make it easier for stability in the removal there. 

Sicario #5: Ok, let me go ahead and start cutting the leg off from this angle…

All Source News

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

Abraham Oseguera Cervantes aka 'Don Rodo' after being captured this early Sunday morning April 21, 2024, at 03:48:00 A.M. was immediately sent to Mexico City to avoid any retaliation attacks according to reports. 

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

This article was translated and reposted from UNIVISION 

The National Arrest Registry confirmed his capture early Sunday morning in the town of Autlan de Navarro. According to a security analyst, for many years Abraham Oseguera has had a discreet role and was dedicated to administrative activities.

BY: UNIVISION

PUBLISHED 22 APR 2024 - 05:32 AM EDT | UPDATED 22 APR 2024 - 08:08 AM EDT

Who is Abraham Oseguera Cervantes and what role did he play in the CJNG?

Security analyst David Saucedo told the AP that Oseguera Cervantes is one of the brothers of 'El Mencho' although he did not have a bloodthirsty profile or lead clash groups, but rather carried out "administrative activities within the cartel".

"He was mainly in charge of drug shipments to the United States, and he controlled some of the trafficking routes," said Saucedo, who did not rule out the possibility that the arrest was made for extradition to the neighboring country.

He explained that for many years the arrested man had played a discreet role, but according to files and intelligence information, "his existence and the role he played within the Jalisco Cartel had been known for some time.

In December 2022, another brother of 'El Mencho', Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, alias Tony Montana, was arrested, accused of organizing logistics, buying weapons, laundering money for the cartel and organizing violent offensives against antagonistic groups.

The Jalisco Cartel, one of the most bloodthirsty and powerful in Mexico

The CJNG is now considered one of Mexico's most bloodthirsty and powerful cartels, vying for control of many territories with Mexico's other major criminal organization, the Sinaloa Cartel.

With massive firepower including automatic machine guns, grenade launchers and rocket launchers, the CJNG has established a near nationwide presence, from the beaches of Cancun in the east to the north, and has been targeted by authorities in both Mexico and the United States. Several of its members have been arrested in different parts of the country.

The United States is offering a 10 million dollar reward for the capture of 'El Mencho'.

SOURCE: UNIVISION 

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

Two men died and material damage was the result of three attacks on private ambulances on the afternoon of this Monday, April 22, in different parts of the city. The first of them occurred in the Valle del Real neighborhood and the second in the Álamos neighborhood.

It was around 5:30 in the afternoon that the first reports arrived at the 911 Emergency System number, where they indicated that around seven gunshots were heard in the limits of the Girasoles and Valle del Real neighborhoods. Minutes later, a video emerged on social media showing a private ambulance, without logos, that was on fire.

Given the reports, operators of the Command, Control, Communications and Computing Center (C4) sent the Civil Protection and Firefighters units of Celaya to Esperanza Street next to the Trinity Parish.

After the elements of the Fire Department put out the flames, they found two bodies inside the unit.

It was learned that one of the men responded to the name Victor and the other was known as Jesus. It also emerged that they had been duped with a false emergency call and upon arrival they were shot; However, the authorities will be the ones to confirm this once the investigations progress.

Neighbors of the neighborhood mentioned that armed individuals, aboard a motorcycle, were the ones who stood in front of the ambulance and shot the driver and his companion at least seven times, and then set fire to the unit.

After the emergency report, paramedics from the Celaya Citizen Security Secretariat, the Red Cross, the National Guard and the Mexican Army also went to the area, registering a strong operation in the area, in search of possible suspects.

ANOTHER ATTACK

An hour later, around 6:20 p.m., it was confirmed that two other ambulance units were set on fire, one with the company name SEETS and one SMB, inside the Privado Flor de Primavera.

It was learned that armed men arrived there, threatened those who were washing the ambulances at that time and set fire to the emergency vehicles, without injuring anyone.

The second call was also answered by the Municipal Police as first responders, who cordoned off the area because the fire in the units was extinguished by the neighbors themselves.

El Sol del Bajio