Narco News for the Week of May 20, 2024
Narco News for the Week of May 20, 2024
CJNG Launches Attacks Against Authorities in Michoacán
A violent confrontation erupted in Tocumbo, Michoacán, as over 100 heavily armed members of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) launched an attack against local authorities. The CJNG members, mobilized from Sahuayo in cargo trucks, targeted the authorities of Cotija, Tocumbo, Tingüindín, Los Reyes, and Peribán municipalities. The criminals, using high-caliber weapons including Barrett .50 rifles, clashed with the police, Mexican Army, and Guardia Civil for three hours. The confrontation led to the death of ten CJNG members, including the group's leader, "El Gafe." After his death, the remaining attackers fled to higher ground and are being pursued by authorities.
https://x.com/Santiagod181281/status/1788778680891888079
DEA Report Highlights Corruption Benefits for Mexican Cartels
The DEA's National Drug Assessment 2024 reveals that the Cártel de Sinaloa and Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) benefit significantly from corruption in Mexico. The Cártel de Sinaloa exploits a network of corrupt contacts within law enforcement, the military, and politics, allowing it to operate freely in certain regions, including complete control over the Port of Mazatlán. Conversely, the CJNG is noted for its violent methods and lack of territorial control near the U.S. border, forcing it to pay for access to smuggling routes. Both cartels contribute to the U.S. drug crisis, with drug-related deaths reaching 107,941 in 2020.
"Los Chapitos" Fentanyl Ban Was a PR Stunt, Says DEA
The DEA has reported that "Los Chapitos," the sons of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, did not cease fentanyl production in Mexico as claimed. The alleged ban announced via banners in Sinaloa, Sonora, and Baja California in October 2023 was a public relations strategy to eliminate rivals rather than reduce fentanyl availability. Despite these claims, fentanyl production and availability remained high, with record seizures of 79 million fentanyl pills and 6.8 tons of fentanyl powder in 2023. The DEA also highlighted that both the Cártel de Sinaloa and CJNG maintain extensive criminal operations across all U.S. states and globally, controlling drug production and trafficking routes.
La Familia Michoacana Uses 'Narcodrones' to Terrorize El Porvenir
La Familia Michoacana has begun deploying explosive-laden drones, known as 'narcodrones', in El Porvenir, a community in Técpan de Galeana, Guerrero. On March 16, an explosive device dropped on a rural school, terrifying children and teachers, although there were no fatalities. The attack, attributed to the criminal group led by José Alfredo Olascoaga Hurtado ("El Fresa") and his brother Johnny ("El Pez"), signals a clear message that no one is safe. The community has seen repeated drone attacks, forcing residents to use social media to plea for help, with minimal response. The violence has driven away teachers and medical personnel, severely impacting daily life and safety.
Federal Authorities Seize Four Narcolabs in Culiacán
Federal authorities in Mexico have seized four narcolabs in the Sanalona and Los Mayos areas, east of Culiacán. The operation resulted in the confiscation of over 18,000 liters of chemical substances, 22.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 175 kilograms of phenylacetic acid, and 11 vehicles. The raids, conducted by the National Guard and the Federal Police, uncovered extensive drug manufacturing equipment, including gas tanks, reactors, and burners. The substances and equipment were handed over to the Federal Ministerial Police and forensic services for further investigation. Legal proceedings have been initiated against those responsible for the illicit operations.
Phoenix Man Convicted in Quadruple Cartel Murder Case
Raul Gastellum Flores, a 33-year-old Phoenix resident, has been convicted of murdering four men in a failed attempt to seize control of a drug operation. The murders, orchestrated by Rosario Adan Roman-Lopez in 2015, involved brutal executions and setting the victims' bodies on fire in Southern California. Flores was found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, with special circumstances including robbery and multiple murders. He faces life in prison without parole. Roman-Lopez, believed to have been killed in Mexico, and other suspects remain at large. The case underscores the challenges of prosecuting cartel-related crimes.
Shooting Attack in Huitzilac Leaves Eight Dead, Highlights Ongoing Violence
A shooting at a beer depot in Huitzilac, Morelos, left eight people dead on Saturday. Criminals in two vehicles opened fire on customers, with the attack captured on security cameras. This marks the third such attack in the area within two weeks. The victims included locals from Huitzilac and a nearby tourist town, Tepoztlán. The Morelos State Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation. Recent violence in the region, including multiple shootings and a hospital attack, has heightened calls for increased federal and state support to combat rising crime rates.
CJNG Interrogates and Abducts Member of Independent Cartel of Colima
Estefan Alexander Castellanos, a young man, was abducted and interrogated by hitmen from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). During the interrogation, Castellanos confessed his affiliation with the Independent Cartel of Colima and disclosed names of operatives involved in the Mexican criminal underworld. While the video ends without showing his fate, it is widely suspected that Castellanos was executed off-camera shortly after the interrogation.
Eleven Killed in Clashes Between Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG in Chiapas
In Chicomuselo, Chiapas, violent clashes between the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) have resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including two Catholic Church workers. The confrontations began on Friday and have continued, primarily affecting the ejido Nuevo Morelia community. The Chiapas State Prosecutor's Office confirmed the fatalities and stated that security forces, including the Army and National Guard, are patrolling the region to restore peace. Communication with the area is challenging due to damaged infrastructure, leaving many details unclear.
Cartel Cell Involved in Murder of Foreign Surfers in Ensenada
Three foreign surfers—Australians Callum and Jake Robinson, and American Jack Carter—were murdered in Punta San José, Ensenada, Baja California. The bodies were found in a water well alongside a fourth unidentified body. The suspects, Jesús Gerardo García Cota ("El Kekas"), his brother Cristian Alejandro García Cota, and Ary Gisell Silva Raya, were apprehended. "El Kekas" was charged with disappearance while Ary Gisell was charged with drug possession. The Baja California coast, controlled by the Sinaloa Cartel, remains perilous for visitors due to cartel activity and criminal dominance.
Two Women Arrested in Connection to Attack on Zuazua Police
In Sabinas Hidalgo, authorities arrested two women, Kassandra "N," 22, and a 15-year-old girl, involved in an attack on Zuazua police officers that left one officer dead and another injured. The suspects were detained on the Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo highway in a Hyundai Santa Fe. They were found with a ballistic helmet, ammunition, and marijuana. The women are suspected of aiding and preparing for the attack against the Zuazua officers. They are currently in custody and awaiting legal proceedings.