El M-4 falls in Tijuana

Authorities in Tijuana have confirmed that Julio Cesar Salas Quiones, 'El M4' has been detained by elements of the Army, Quiones was taken into custody last night.  Quiones is currently in a local Tijuana hospital receiving treatment for an injury sustained last night, during the operation to capture him, likely attempting to escape.  Quiones reportedly fell from about 8 meters, and will presumably be receiving treatment and recuperating for the next two days, under heavy guard. (Update) He was released from hospital, and sent to a military barracks/hospital.

After he is discharged, he will be sent to Mexico City, and delivered to the Organized Crime Special Investigations office, to face yet unknown charges related to organized crime, and Quiones role as a cell leader and enforcer under Fernando Sanchez Arellano.

El M4 has long been linked to the group led by 'El Ingeniero', and was one of the most active participants in the civil war, with Teodoro Garcia Simental, between 2008-2010.  M-4 along with the previously captured Juan Sillas Rocha led the fight against Los Teos, which bloodied Tijuana's streets, especially in the fall of 2008, and 2009.  M-4 was one of the five cells that held the plaza, loyal to Sanchez Arellano.  In October 2008, during the early days of the fight, a message was left at the scene of a double murder in Colonia Tres De Octubres, with the beheaded bodies retail dealers loyal to CAF.  'Here are your people Engineer, and M-4'.  Along with the note, was a photograph, circled, with members of the family of M4. 


A December 2011 Zeta Tijuana story, detailing the cells and leadership of Sanchez Arellano, mentioned Quiones, saying his group of sicarios had been all but decimated during the conflict, but had since regrouped, and restructured, no longer needed for war, 'M-4' engaged in wholesale trafficking, under Ingeniero. 

Details and additional information will likely to forthcoming, after a formal presentation to the media.  Often in the cases of captured suspects with fairly high profiles, there is a disconnect between the reported facts, and what the suspect says after an interview.  Recently in the case of 'El Chapito' detained earlier this year in Tijuana, it was learned he had some what fallen from grace, and was struggling to conduct his business, dealing with politics of organized crime in the city.

Tijuana has been notably more peaceful in recent years, but much more in 2012, besides the murder of five in January, and an incident in April, involving a kidnapping gone awry, there has been very few incidents of high profile, or high impact violence.  New restaurants and night clubs open, in a resurgence of Tijuana business, gaining attention nation acclaim for their dining. 

Sources: AFN Tijuana, Zeta Tijuana