“Beto Leyva” arrested in Tijuana migrant-smuggling case
Original reporting: ZETA Tijuana
What happened
Federal authorities detained José Alberto “N,” alias “Beto Leyva,” in Tijuana. García Harfuch linked him to the Arzate brothers and alleged migrant smuggling, kidnapping and money laundering.
Reporting and context
Federal authorities arrested José Alberto “N,” known as “Beto Leyva,” in Tijuana on November 11 during court-authorized searches in an organized-crime investigation, according to ZETA Tijuana, citing federal Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch.
García Harfuch identified the detainee as a close associate of René and Alfonso Arzate García, known as “La Rana” and “El Aquiles.” The secretary described the brothers as leaders of a Sinaloa Cartel faction operating in Sinaloa, Baja California and Durango. He also said José Alberto “N” has an outstanding U.S. arrest warrant.
ZETA Tijuana reported that investigators accuse “Beto Leyva” of coordinating migrant smuggling from Tijuana into San Diego and San Ysidro, California. Authorities also link him to kidnappings in which migrants' relatives in the United States were asked to pay for their release.
The investigation additionally connects him to businesses allegedly used to launder the organization's money and to a network obtaining weapons and stolen vehicles in the United States. These activities remain allegations described by the authorities.
The operation involved the Defense Ministry, National Guard and the federal Attorney General's Office's Criminal Investigation Agency. García Harfuch said authorities exchanged information and intelligence with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations as part of the action.
Original publication: https://zetatijuana.com/2026/11/autoridades-federales-detienen-en-tijuana-a-beto-leyva-presunto-operador-del-cds-en-trafico-de-migrantes_1