Siskiyoukid for Borderland Beat
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When an ally of Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin "el Chapo" Guzman Loera, the notorious kidnapper and killer Miguel Ángel Beltrán Lugo, alias "El Ceja Güera", was murdered in the La Palma prison in 2004, several PAN legislators from Sinaloa state were among the pallbearers.
However, there are several other state legislators and political appointees in Sinaloa linked to the Beltrán Leyva organization and their local enforcers, the Mazatlecos. It is rumored that these legislators are elected with the help of narco money and community strong-arm tactics. The result is that these legislators have veto power over police commanders in their home districts.
The González clan
Outside of Guasave, in the ejido Batamote and the surrounding mountains, the Gonzalez Peñuelas clan, led by Jesús "Chuy" González Peñuelas, and his brother Ignacio "Nacho" González Peñuelas, control local drug sales, but their primary concerns include marijuana and poppy production for the Beltrán Leyvas, as well as coordinating shipments of cocaine heading from South America to the United States.
The González Peñuelas are in charge of the Batamote plaza for Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, "el Chapito Isidro", and his "Guasave Cartel". Batamote has been the scene of numerous incidents, including the March 2011 ambush of police who were carrying a Mazatleco detainee back to Culiacan, which left 7 police dead. In July of 2011 they ambushed a state police convoy escorting state security director Francisco Córdova Celaya, and killed 11 officers.
On their rancho El Gallo del Limón, the González Peñuelas are reputed to have conducted training exercises for their sicarios, as well as the torture, murder, and mutilation of their enemies, or of accused traitors. This has also been the location where informants have claimed that attacks on police and rivals are planned and executed
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He claimed that Héctor Beltrán Leyva (at left) would be on hand to supervise the offloading of shipments of "books" or kilos of cocaine and crystal meth at the port of Topolobampo and sometimes in Ohuira Bay. The drugs would arrive by yacht during the final three days of each month, and would be offloaded by the cell and brought to the Ejido El Gallo, where it would be distributed to the local dealers. Up to two tons would be offloaded each month.
Analysis of the political situation in Sinaloa
Recent revelations by former Malova bodyguard Frank Armenta Espinoza that the governor personally met with the leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel, coupled with the vigorous attacks against his replacement, former Ahome police commander Jesús Carrasco Ruiz by El Dos Letras, have reinforced the public perception that top Sinaloa government officials are in the pocket of the Sinaloa Cartel, the dominant criminal group in Mexico.
However, there are still dozens of strategic political posts filled with candidates loyal to cells aligned with the Beltrán Leyva organization. Some of these include state congressional deputies, but mainly these politicians are mayors and police officials in geographically large municipalities [counties] where poppy and marijuana plantations are located, as well as strategically important smuggling routes up the coast and over the mountains.
The municipality of Guasave has long been a Beltrán Leyva stronghold, and Chapito Isidros cell has even been dubbed the "Guasave Cartel". This perception was further reinforced during a recent attack on a police convoy ferrying former Ahome commander Jesús Carrasco Ruiz from Los Mochis to Culiacán. Carrasco reported that several Guasave police unit were on hand nearby during the attack, yet did nothing to offer support. Some reports even accuse the Guasave police of being complicit in the attacks.
It appears that the criminal cells allied with the Beltrán Leyva organization are frustrated by their inability to infiltrate Sinaloa ministerial departments, particularly the security directorate, but they still have a widespread presence in municipal governments and their accompanying security apparatus.
The future appears to hold more violence in store for residents of Sinaloa, particularly in the mountainous Sierra Occidental, as the less connected Beltrán Leyva cells struggle to regain the strength that they enjoyed within Sinaloa's political elite when they were allied with Ismael El Mayo Zambada García, Joaquin El Chapo Guzmán Loera, and their dominant Sinaloa Cartel.
Guasave-Authorities confirmed the arrest of "Nacho" González and identified the other three detainees in the shootout against the military in the Batamote.
Elements of the army led the group of law enforcement in the arrest of "Nacho" González in Batamote.
"Nacho" González has been pointed out in several narcomantas as one of those responsible for the death of journalist José Luis Romero.
Police officials confirmed the arrest of Ignacio González Peñuelas, better known as "Nacho" González, analleged drug trafficker and one of the leaders of the criminal group operating in the North of the State, yesterday at almost noon after a clash between soldiers and armed individuals in the Ejido Batamote, belonging to Sinaloa municipality [county]. A presumed gunman was killed and three more people, besides "Nacho" González were arrested, and they seized an arsenal and several vehicles.
Police revealed that in the takedown, besides "Nacho" González, 41 years old, who lives at the rancho of his brother El Gallo de Limones, they also arrested Hugo Moreno Sarmiento, 33-years-old, who lives in the city of Guasave, who was injured in the operation; Marcos Eduardo Félix Arredondo, a 20 year-old resident of Batamote, and José Cruz Pérez Vega, also 20, who's home is in the village of Figueroa.
The alleged gunman who was killed was identified as Alejandro Rivera Montoya, 20, who had his home in Colonia Santa Maria, in the city of Guasave.
The four detainees were transferred to the city of Culiacán.
In the report the authorities released they seized an arsenal, including a Barret .50 calber rifle , several long weapons, a pistol, grenades, cartridges, boots, bulletproof vests, several packages with white powder, apparently cocaine, and four vehicles: an armored white Dodge Ram RT, with overlapping plates; a black Ford F-150 Lobo Sport; a grey Cheyenne and a gold Nissan Maxima.
As we promptly reported yesterday, the detainees, the vehicle, drug and arsenal were secured after a clash that occurred on Thursday starting 11:30 AM in a safehouse in the Ejido Batamote.
There the military were trying to search a vehicle when they were shot at and the takedown ended with the arrest of "Nacho" González.
The village lived through several hours of a tense shootout, even it was besieged by troops of the army, marine, federal and ministerial police and municipal agents, from Guasave and Los Mochis.
The detainees were transferred to Los Mochis in a Tiger assault vehicle and then led to Culiacán.
Elements of the army led the group of law enforcement in the arrest of "Nacho" González in Batamote.
"Nacho" González has been pointed out in several narcomantas as one of those responsible for the death of journalist José Luis Romero.
Police officials confirmed the arrest of Ignacio González Peñuelas, better known as "Nacho" González, analleged drug trafficker and one of the leaders of the criminal group operating in the North of the State, yesterday at almost noon after a clash between soldiers and armed individuals in the Ejido Batamote, belonging to Sinaloa municipality [county]. A presumed gunman was killed and three more people, besides "Nacho" González were arrested, and they seized an arsenal and several vehicles.
Police revealed that in the takedown, besides "Nacho" González, 41 years old, who lives at the rancho of his brother El Gallo de Limones, they also arrested Hugo Moreno Sarmiento, 33-years-old, who lives in the city of Guasave, who was injured in the operation; Marcos Eduardo Félix Arredondo, a 20 year-old resident of Batamote, and José Cruz Pérez Vega, also 20, who's home is in the village of Figueroa.
The alleged gunman who was killed was identified as Alejandro Rivera Montoya, 20, who had his home in Colonia Santa Maria, in the city of Guasave.
The four detainees were transferred to the city of Culiacán.
In the report the authorities released they seized an arsenal, including a Barret .50 calber rifle , several long weapons, a pistol, grenades, cartridges, boots, bulletproof vests, several packages with white powder, apparently cocaine, and four vehicles: an armored white Dodge Ram RT, with overlapping plates; a black Ford F-150 Lobo Sport; a grey Cheyenne and a gold Nissan Maxima.
As we promptly reported yesterday, the detainees, the vehicle, drug and arsenal were secured after a clash that occurred on Thursday starting 11:30 AM in a safehouse in the Ejido Batamote.
There the military were trying to search a vehicle when they were shot at and the takedown ended with the arrest of "Nacho" González.
The village lived through several hours of a tense shootout, even it was besieged by troops of the army, marine, federal and ministerial police and municipal agents, from Guasave and Los Mochis.
The detainees were transferred to Los Mochis in a Tiger assault vehicle and then led to Culiacán.
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| Óscar Félix Ochoa, Sinaloa congressman, and the brother-in-law of "El JT" |
Written by Adán German for Borderland Beat
Many readers are probably already aware of alleged links between current Sinaloa governor Mario López Valdez, Malova, and various elements involved with the Sinaloa Cartel. There is also the well publicized case of Sinaloa legislative deputy Óscar Félix Ochoa, who it the brother-in-law of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel capo Javier Torres Félix, and who's brothers were detained in 2008 with 40 kilos of cocaine, high-powered weapons, and cash.
At the same time the army raided a safe house in Culiacán owned by Félix Ochoa, where they found $5 million and arrested a group of sicarios implicated in the killing of federal police.
In the municipality of El Dorado, local political leader Dámaso López García kept a strong hold on local appointments for years, up until his death in 2009. López García was the father of Dámaso and Adolfo López Núñez, who have been accused of involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel.
Dámaso López Núñez was as central figure in the escape of Joaquin Guzmán Loera from the Puente Grande prison, where López Núñez worked as a security chief, in 2001. Now know as El Licenciado, López Núñez has been identified as a principal lieutenant for the Sinaloa Cartel. In 2007 the rancho of the elder López García in El Dorado was raided and seized by the Mexican Army, but nothing came of it.
Many readers are probably already aware of alleged links between current Sinaloa governor Mario López Valdez, Malova, and various elements involved with the Sinaloa Cartel. There is also the well publicized case of Sinaloa legislative deputy Óscar Félix Ochoa, who it the brother-in-law of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel capo Javier Torres Félix, and who's brothers were detained in 2008 with 40 kilos of cocaine, high-powered weapons, and cash.
At the same time the army raided a safe house in Culiacán owned by Félix Ochoa, where they found $5 million and arrested a group of sicarios implicated in the killing of federal police.
In the municipality of El Dorado, local political leader Dámaso López García kept a strong hold on local appointments for years, up until his death in 2009. López García was the father of Dámaso and Adolfo López Núñez, who have been accused of involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel.
Dámaso López Núñez was as central figure in the escape of Joaquin Guzmán Loera from the Puente Grande prison, where López Núñez worked as a security chief, in 2001. Now know as El Licenciado, López Núñez has been identified as a principal lieutenant for the Sinaloa Cartel. In 2007 the rancho of the elder López García in El Dorado was raided and seized by the Mexican Army, but nothing came of it.
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However, there are several other state legislators and political appointees in Sinaloa linked to the Beltrán Leyva organization and their local enforcers, the Mazatlecos. It is rumored that these legislators are elected with the help of narco money and community strong-arm tactics. The result is that these legislators have veto power over police commanders in their home districts.
The González clan
Outside of Guasave, in the ejido Batamote and the surrounding mountains, the Gonzalez Peñuelas clan, led by Jesús "Chuy" González Peñuelas, and his brother Ignacio "Nacho" González Peñuelas, control local drug sales, but their primary concerns include marijuana and poppy production for the Beltrán Leyvas, as well as coordinating shipments of cocaine heading from South America to the United States.
The González Peñuelas are in charge of the Batamote plaza for Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, "el Chapito Isidro", and his "Guasave Cartel". Batamote has been the scene of numerous incidents, including the March 2011 ambush of police who were carrying a Mazatleco detainee back to Culiacan, which left 7 police dead. In July of 2011 they ambushed a state police convoy escorting state security director Francisco Córdova Celaya, and killed 11 officers.
On their rancho El Gallo del Limón, the González Peñuelas are reputed to have conducted training exercises for their sicarios, as well as the torture, murder, and mutilation of their enemies, or of accused traitors. This has also been the location where informants have claimed that attacks on police and rivals are planned and executed
It is generally believed that the González Peñuelas and their gunmen were heavily involved in the fierce fight against Sinaloa Cartel forces in Choix in the spring of 2012, as well as the ambush that followed against Sinaloa ministerial police near Tetamboca which left 7 agents dead, as well as 4 sicarios, including prominent Mazatleco leader Pablo Osuna Lizarraga, el 100.
A severed head is left on the steps of the Sinaloa Government Palace
In 2010, a group of men working for the González Peñuelas brothers left a severed head is left on the steps of the Government Palace for the state of Sinaloa. A matching pair of severed hands are found nearby. The head and hands belonged to Sergio Soto Orduño, a taco vender from El Fuerte who also sold "ice", or crystal meth.
A severed head is left on the steps of the Sinaloa Government Palace
In 2010, a group of men working for the González Peñuelas brothers left a severed head is left on the steps of the Government Palace for the state of Sinaloa. A matching pair of severed hands are found nearby. The head and hands belonged to Sergio Soto Orduño, a taco vender from El Fuerte who also sold "ice", or crystal meth.
The same group also left the body of Paúl Barraza Peñuelas, a municipal police agent from Guasave, who the Mazatlecos suspected of supporting the Sinaloa Cartel and it's capo Joaquin El Chapo Guzmán Loera, on the steps of the Sinaloa Congress.
In 2011 a former Ahome police officer, Alejandro Gabriel Carmona Hernández, El Chilango, was arrested and he confessed to his involvement in these crimes and many more. El Chilango said that he had 30 people under his command and that they had been ordered to heat up the plaza and place naromantas throughout the state challenging the Sinaloa Cartel.
Héctor Beltrán Leyva is present at a meeting of 300 gunmen on the ranch of an influential Sinaloa politician ( Below leftJoaquín Vega Acuña, owner of Rancho El Alacran, where champion quarter horses are bred)
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Carmona Hernández, El Chilango, says that the plans to heat up the plaza were hammered out at two ranches. In Sinaloa de Leyva, the ranch of Jesús "Chuy" González Peñuelas, El Gallo del Limón, and another ranch, El Alacrán, owned by Joaquín Vega Acuña, and important PRI politician from Los Mochis, who was the head of the party for the entire state of Sinaloa, and his son Joaquín Vega Inzunza, a breeder of world-class quarter horses, which have won millions of dollars in purses in California.
In 2011 a former Ahome police officer, Alejandro Gabriel Carmona Hernández, El Chilango, was arrested and he confessed to his involvement in these crimes and many more. El Chilango said that he had 30 people under his command and that they had been ordered to heat up the plaza and place naromantas throughout the state challenging the Sinaloa Cartel.
Héctor Beltrán Leyva is present at a meeting of 300 gunmen on the ranch of an influential Sinaloa politician ( Below leftJoaquín Vega Acuña, owner of Rancho El Alacran, where champion quarter horses are bred)
El Chilango said that at a meeting where he was present, Héctor Beltrán Leyva, "El H" and the current supreme leader of the Beltrán Leyva Organization, was present and supervising the planning of military operations for the Northern part of Sinaloa. El Chilango claimed that 300 gunmen were present at the meeting with Héctor Beltrán Leyva and Jesús "Chuy" González Peñuelas.
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(below is police presentation of El Chilango)
(below is police presentation of El Chilango)
El Chilango renounces his confessionUpon appearing in court to make a plea, Alejandro Gabriel Carmona Hernández, El Chilango, accused the police of guiding his confession, and he denied ever meeting Jesús "Chuy" González Peñuelas, ever visiting the rancho El Alacrán. He said that on the night that the body parts were left on the steps of the Palace of Government, he was home watching television with his wife and kids.
Analysis of the political situation in Sinaloa
Recent revelations by former Malova bodyguard Frank Armenta Espinoza that the governor personally met with the leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel, coupled with the vigorous attacks against his replacement, former Ahome police commander Jesús Carrasco Ruiz by El Dos Letras, have reinforced the public perception that top Sinaloa government officials are in the pocket of the Sinaloa Cartel, the dominant criminal group in Mexico.
However, there are still dozens of strategic political posts filled with candidates loyal to cells aligned with the Beltrán Leyva organization. Some of these include state congressional deputies, but mainly these politicians are mayors and police officials in geographically large municipalities [counties] where poppy and marijuana plantations are located, as well as strategically important smuggling routes up the coast and over the mountains.
The municipality of Guasave has long been a Beltrán Leyva stronghold, and Chapito Isidros cell has even been dubbed the "Guasave Cartel". This perception was further reinforced during a recent attack on a police convoy ferrying former Ahome commander Jesús Carrasco Ruiz from Los Mochis to Culiacán. Carrasco reported that several Guasave police unit were on hand nearby during the attack, yet did nothing to offer support. Some reports even accuse the Guasave police of being complicit in the attacks.
It appears that the criminal cells allied with the Beltrán Leyva organization are frustrated by their inability to infiltrate Sinaloa ministerial departments, particularly the security directorate, but they still have a widespread presence in municipal governments and their accompanying security apparatus.
The future appears to hold more violence in store for residents of Sinaloa, particularly in the mountainous Sierra Occidental, as the less connected Beltrán Leyva cells struggle to regain the strength that they enjoyed within Sinaloa's political elite when they were allied with Ismael El Mayo Zambada García, Joaquin El Chapo Guzmán Loera, and their dominant Sinaloa Cartel.
The victims are often low-level police, local drug vendors and halcones [lookouts], but more often than not, they are innocent pawns in violent struggle for dominance, that relies on ever-increasing brutality to make a point of appearing to be in control.