The structure of a retail cell in Tijuana: Los Cuates De Obreras
After several months of killings and dismemberment, in the war for control of Tijuana's retail drug market, arrests have illuminated a retail cell, loyal to 'Achilles', and believed to be responsible for dozens of murders.
Los Cuates De Obrera, whose name comes from the Tijuana neighborhood in which they control and operate, is under the operational command of 'El Turbo', 'El Alejo', and 'El Chino', who in turn allegedly answer to Achilles. On Tuesday June 4th in Rosarito, elements of SEDENA and the PEP arrested 7 members of the cell, who were attending a private party in Rosarito.
Those arrested were Antonio Cerda Luce Pacheco, 'The Bad Twin', Marco Antonio Cerda Pacheco, 'The Twin', and Guizar Gerardo Raul de la Pena, 'El Rulas', Jared Moses Rendon Alvarez, Alan Orozco Gaurdiola Israel, Jesus Arroyo Ornelas, Edgar Huerta Quintero. In their possession, unsurprisingly were two AK-47 rifles and doses of crystal. On Thursday, more arrests were made in Tijuana, members of another retail/sicario cell, 'Los Saicos', in possession of handguns and small amounts of packaged cocaine and marijuana.
Authorities have linked this cell to dozens of killings in April and May, orders given by Raul Miranda Ortiz, El Alejo and Chino, to attack members of the remaining Arellano Felix cells. Raul Miranda Ortiz also allegedly ordered the death of 'El 300', a plaza or cell boss, who was told he had 24 hours to leave Tijuana. Reports indicate this cell, or other members were responsible for the death of Luis Manuel Toscano, whose killing set off a series of still ongoing murders and shootings.
Sources: AFN Tijuana