Ojinaga helicopter attack renews scrutiny of criminal groups
Original reporting: El Heraldo de Chihuahua
What happened
An armed attack on a Chihuahua state security helicopter injured an aerial observer and renewed scrutiny of alleged criminal structures operating around Ojinaga. El Heraldo de Chihuahua reported that authorities are examining Sergio Pedro M. and other alleged operators, while the claims and reported investigations remain attributed and not court findings.
Reporting and context
Helicopter attack puts Ojinaga criminal dispute under scrutiny
An armed attack on a state security helicopter in an unpopulated area of Ojinaga on Sept. 12 has drawn renewed attention to criminal groups operating in the Chihuahua border region. According to El Heraldo de Chihuahua, one aerial observer was injured by a gunshot to the head while the aircraft left the area and flew to Chihuahua, where the injured officer was taken to a private hospital. The report said investigators are examining the role of Sergio Pedro M., known as “El Checo” or “Menchaca Jr.,” whom state authorities identify as an alleged operator of the Nuevo Cártel de Juárez. Those criminal-group links are claims attributed to authorities and the source report.
El Heraldo de Chihuahua reported that the state security structure also includes Ojinaga, Coyame, Manuel Benavides and part of Aldama, where authorities say the group is disputing territory with a former associate identified as Roberto G.H., known as “El 04.” The report said Roberto G.H. was arrested in December 2025 with seven other people and later extradited with 36 people whom the federal government classified as generators of violence. Authorities also identified other alleged operators, including Epifanio “El Pepa,” described by the federal prosecutor’s office as a financial operator, and Octavio V.L., known as “El Tavo,” whom investigators describe as a second-in-command.
The source said El Tavo was arrested with Axel A.A., known as “El Chato,” and that authorities seized 11 firearms, ammunition, a stolen vehicle and more than $19,000. It also reported that investigators had detained more than eight alleged operators in less than two months and were examining the disappearance of 13 migrants near Ojinaga on Sept. 25, 2021. These details describe reported investigations and official allegations, not court findings, and the source did not establish the final legal status of every person named.