“El Toto,” Kidnapping Leader of “La Empresa”

This past Saturday, the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Strategic Operations dismantled a criminal cell dedicated to kidnapping migrants in Ciudad Juárez. The group was led by Ernesto Alonzo—alias “El Toto”—who has been identified as a member of the criminal organization *La Empresa*. 

This major blow against the group was delivered following an investigation into the kidnapping of two young men originally from Veracruz: a 17-year-old teenager and an 18-year-old man. Their families ultimately paid $28,000 to secure their release. 

According to investigations conducted by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the victims were held captive for several days at various residences throughout the city. During this time, the criminals made phone calls and sent messages to the victims’ families, demanding money in exchange for their release while threatening to harm them. 

Based on intelligence gathered from those detained, the State Investigation Agency for the Northern Zone executed search warrants at two residences. At a home in the *Colonas del Sur* neighborhood, four individuals were arrested, and a vehicle—identified by the victims as the one used to transport them—was seized. 

In a second operation conducted in the *Puerto Anapra* neighborhood, three additional individuals linked to the crimes were arrested. In total, seven people were captured: five men and two women. Additionally, a minor was detained as an alleged accomplice and will be presented before authorities specializing in juvenile justice. 

“El Toto” began his criminal career at the age of 18, shipping merchandise and tossing small packages of contraband to the other side. “At 29, he’s considered the best at what he does; whenever work gets heavy, he takes some time off to relax and party in Dubai with his friends”—this is the description given of the man now detained for kidnapping migrants, as recounted in two narco-ballads dedicated to his nickname. 

“I keep shipping migrants across the border. We are an absolute mob for La Empresa—Ciudad Juárez is ruling,” go the lyrics describing the criminal “El Toto,” performed by the local group La Nueva Insignia. Today, “El Toto” will be listening to his narco ballads from his prison cell, where he has already been formally indicted and ordered to stand trial.

Source: Grillonautas 2