U.S. Corrections Officer Working for Los Mayos Arrested

An alleged Arizona corrections officer—a U.S. citizen—was arrested; she was working for the Sinaloa Cartel. I am not sure if she actually holds that position, as reports say it is unconfirmed, but what *is* confirmed is that she is a U.S. citizen—showing the reach of organized crime, David. 

That’s right, Joaquín. This was corroborated by authorities, as there is physical proof in the form of an ID card identifying her as an alleged officer with the Arizona Department of Corrections. The woman, identified as Yanet N., was detained by Navy personnel near the border crossing connecting San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, to Arizona in the United States. 

She is accused of acting as a logistics operator for arms trafficking on behalf of the “Los Mayos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel—specifically, she was responsible for bringing weapons into Mexico from the U.S. 

Agents were particularly struck by an ID card found among her belongings—issued by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry in the name of Yanet Dowden—listing her as a Level II correctional officer. 

However, security agencies noted that the authenticity and validity of the ID, as well as her employment status, are subject to verification by the relevant authorities. Regarding Yanet N.’s role within the organization led by Ismael Zambada Sicairos—alias “El Mayito Flaco”—she is considered a mid-level member of the criminal structure. 

Security officials reported that she was detected and arrested during inter-agency operations involving Navy personnel, the Defense Secretariat, the Attorney General’s Office, the National Guard, and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection; these units were conducting patrols for crime prevention and deterrence when they apprehended her in a black Jeep SUV. 

The alleged operative for “La Mayiza” was transporting over 5,400 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition in her vehicle. This type of ammunition is used in AK-47 automatic rifles—considered the most widely distributed military weapon in the world, according to international data. 

Authorities estimate that the seizure of these cartridges represents a financial loss of approximately 1,655,000 pesos for organized crime groups. However, the notable development here is that a correctional officer—or alleged correctional officer—was arrested; she is linked to Arizona, where the arrest took place, and is identified as a member of the “Los Mayos” faction.

Source: Grupo Fórmula