El Tres Animales detained in Ensenada
Another mid level enforcer/plaza boss/cell leader is arrested today, in a joint operation between the PEP and the Army, following about 4 arrests in as many months centered around a assassination attempt at the Palenque cockfighting ring in January.
El Tres Animales aka Gabriel Ayala Fonesca, is said to have been the targeted by Los Aquiles, and his many layers of insulation, including Raul Miranda Ortiz, 'El Alexy', who is yet to be apprehended. 'El Marlon' was not as fortunate, though perhaps he has already been released.
El Tres Animales |
Marlon, aka Marco Carillo was identified as one of those who coordinated, planned, and ordered the attack, on behalf of Los Aquiles. The phrase intellectual author is thrown around a lot, and it's assumed it means someone who had something to do with the alleged act, though it is often unknown who is truly responsible.
After a high profile incident, the arrests come in waves, with great repetition, this reflects the structure of cells, but also of padding by authorities, who have other motives for their arrests. They are also stacked because of the information learned from the interrogations. 'El Mass', Arturo Frias Misael Ochoa is said to be the hand of The Azarte brothers in Ensenada, was arrested just hours before the capture of Tres Animales.
He is originally from Los Flores, Sinaloa, 37 years old, and is said to be the closest one in Ensenada to Los Aquiles, and has run that area for years. He is accused of planning and ordering the killing at Palenque, to target his rival Tres Animales. He runs the drug trafficking crew of Los Aquiles in Ensenada, allegedly, presumably handling retail sales of crystal and marijuana, and securing larger shipments passing through, on their way north.
El Mass and Animales were both in possession of the usual plaza boss accessories, starter kit,
assorted ammunition and weapons and doses of crystal and marijuana, stolen late model vehicles, multiple cell phones.
El Mass |
El Tres Animales, like 'El Mass' has an extensive history in the CAF, though precise details are unknown. It is also unknown what exactly CAF refers to. The rumors of 'El Piloto' Arellano Felix have seemed to have faded, and though CTNG put a banner up, essentially naming all the members, very few have been captured, or mentioned as being actual leaders of a group CAF.
So, the former kings of the port city of Ensenada, selling crystal to the cities addicts, and ordering killings are both detained, perhaps to sit in the same prison, as they await charges or release. If they, (and even in those case), are not taken to Mexico City to face formal allegations often they are released, as their local influence is strong. How much do their bosses want them out, will be the question.
Will the operations continue to target Los Aquiles inner circle, lead to a surprise arrests in some hideout in Culiacan or Mazatlan, maybe La Paz in an upscale suburb like their predecessor El Teo, far from the industrial areas and shootouts? Are Aquiles on the run, or entrenched in Tijuana? Roles like that usually have an expiration date, and it may be up, but they have lasted longer then men who were more protected, more respected, and more feared.....