El Chino faces irrigation extortion case in Durango

Reporting and context

A Durango judge has ordered criminal proceedings against Carlos “N”, known as “El Chino”, on an aggravated extortion charge after his arrest in Ciudad Juárez, according to Notigram. The case concerns alleged demands that a farmer in Gómez Palacio pay for access to irrigation water.

Notigram reported that Durango prosecutors' anti-kidnapping unit arrested him with Chihuahua authorities on October 22, 2026, under an arrest warrant. He was transferred to Durango's Social Reinsertion Center No. 1 and remains in pretrial detention.

Investigators allege that the farmer began receiving demands in September 2025 for access to water from irrigation module No. 5, known as Brittingham, in the Laguna region. The demands allegedly rose from 9,000 pesos to 11,000 pesos and eventually reached 20,000 pesos per hectare of irrigation.

Prosecutors said threats included cutting off water, forcing the farmer to sell his harvest to specified buyers and abducting him or members of his family. The alleged pressure also disrupted land preparation, planting and harvesting for him and other producers.

In one incident described in the investigation, Carlos “N” and José Carmen “N”, known as “El Carmelo”, allegedly went to fields in the 6 de Octubre ejido on November 29, 2025, at about 10 a.m. The farmer reportedly handed over 15,000 pesos after threats against him and his son, but was told to pay more.

The report says José Carmen “N” is already detained. Alma Dalila “N”, known as “La Lic.”, is also detained and faces proceedings for aggravated extortion.

Carlos “N” appeared at an initial hearing on October 23. After the defense requested additional time, the judge ordered proceedings to continue on October 28. The court set December 28, 2026, as the deadline for the supplementary investigation.

Original report: Notigram.