Mica for cartelinsider.com
Several security elements carried out the seizure of more than two tons of possible marijuana in the municipality of Santa Cruz, Sonora. The military was alerted that there were suspicious activities taking place in the state.
Following the above, patrolling activities in the area increased, which allowed to locate an underground warehouse in the town of San Lázaro. In this clandestine hideout, approximately 2,697 kilograms (almost 6,000 lbs.) of possible marijuana were found, which were seized and handed over to the authorities.
The events happened on January 31st, but were reported on February 1st, it was a joint operation between the National Guard, the Army and the National Intelligence Fusion Center (attached to the National Intelligence Center).
The military personnel obtained information that in the municipality of Santa Cruz, Sonora, illicit activities were taking place, reads the statement from the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA).
No arrests were reported, and it is unknown if the seized substance would be related to any criminal group. However, in the state where the events took place, it is known that the Sinaloa Cartel and the Caborca Cartel operate, the latter with a strong presence in the northern part of Sonora.
The underground warehouse was located in the town of San Lázaro, located in the municipality of Santa Cruz. Leaked documents from the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena), revealed by the Guacamaya group, indicate that in said municipality operates an individual identified as Sergio Valenzuela Valenzuela, alias El Yiyo, presumed plaza boss of the also-called Pacific Cartel.
This individual was targeted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) because, according to US authorities, he had connections with Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, one of the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel.
According to the Department of State, El Yiyo “oversees a major drug trafficking corridor in Mexico and is responsible for smuggling tons of fentanyl and other drugs to the United States.” Additionally, he was charged with materially assisting, as well as providing financial or technological support in favor of drug trafficking activities for the Sinaloa Cartel.
Although the reports from the OFAC linked Valenzuela Valenzuela to the trafficking of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine and not to marijuana, a substance recently seized by authorities.
The presence of the mentioned criminal groups is such that Sonoran authorities offer rewards of half a million pesos for four individuals, alleged members of cells linked to the mentioned cartels.
This is Jesús Iván Arce Verdugo, also known as El Chino Arce, wanted by the ministerial authorities for his probable involvement in the crimes of premeditated, treacherous, and advantageous homicide. Unofficial reports indicate that this individual is linked to the criminal group known as Los Salazar, a group with alleged connections to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Similarly, the Sonora Prosecutor’s Office also offered a reward for Genaro Alán Molina Valenzuela, alias El Chapo, a subject wanted for the crime of premeditated murder with treachery and advantage and who would also be a member of the aforementioned criminal cell.
On the other hand, Genaro Valencia Lopez and José Manuel Lucio Valenzuela, also known as El Chino Rivotril, are wanted individuals accused of the crimes of qualified homicide and would be members of La Plaza, the armed wing linked to the Caborca Cartel, an organization created by Rafael Caro Quintero, The Narco of Narcos.
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Mica
Email: mica@cartelinsider.com
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