Baja California authorities detain alleged Chapitos gunman

Reporting and context

ZETA Tijuana reports that authorities detained Francisco Ángel Rivera Ramírez, 22, known by the aliases “Peso Pluma” and “El Velo,” in Valle de la Trinidad, Ensenada, on September 22. The Baja California Security Board has identified him as an alleged gunman for the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel and says he led a cell known as La Pizza. Those claims remain allegations attributed to authorities.

According to ZETA Tijuana, Rivera was traveling in a 1999 Ford Expedition with two other men, Alfredo Alexe Miranda Herrera, 22, and Héctor Daniel Curiel Toledo, 24, when state security agents stopped the vehicle during a prevention and investigative patrol. The report said there was no confrontation. Officials said they found firearms and detained all three men, who were placed at the disposal of the Federal Attorney General’s Office for investigation.

ZETA Tijuana reported that authorities seized two rifles, including one described as similar to an AK-47, along with 12 magazines carrying 24 .223-caliber cartridges each, for a reported total of 288 rounds. They also listed two magazines carrying 30 .762-caliber cartridges each, a Baofeng radio and two tactical ballistic vests bearing U.S. flag patches. The security board linked Rivera’s alleged cell to extortion and “cobro de piso” involving farmers, ranchers and other residents, allegedly using cloned patrol vehicles. The final legal status of the three detainees will be determined through the investigation and judicial process.

Original publication: https://zetatijuana.com/2026/09/detiene-la-fesc-a-sicario-de-los-chapitos-en-valle-de-la-trinidad