- Chihuahua’s top legal official remains uncertain about the true nature of El 010’s recent apprehension, sparking investigative efforts.
- Speculations arise over whether rival gangs used cloned official vehicles to capture the Sinaloa Cartel leader discreetly.
- Recent findings expose the Sinaloa Cartel’s potential involvement in using remittances for money laundering schemes.
The head of Chihuahua’s Attorney General’s Office, César Jáuregui, informed us that the facts about the alleged capture of a criminal leader of the Sinaloa Cartel known as El 010 are being investigated. The prosecutor explained there was no certainty that the authorities had captured it.
Some versions suggest that Jose Domingo C. B., alias El 010, was captured by security authorities. However, Jáuregui assured that the integrity of the arrest is being investigated.
On Monday, August 21, the prosecutor said what happened would be investigated. “We are not clear that it was a capture, we are going to check this information, we are not clear that it was a capture” were part of his statements.
Another version is that a rival criminal organization allegedly seized El 010, and even preliminary reports from local media indicated that those responsible had used vehicles similar to those of the authorities, that is to say, cloned ones. Criminal groups often use cloned units and uniforms to try to go unnoticed.
According to reports, El 010 was the financial operator of Antonio Leonel, alias El 300, the latter a lieutenant of the Cartel del Pacífico who was arrested in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, and operated in the municipalities of Parral, Santa Bárbara, Balleza, Guadalupe y Calvo, Matamoros, Allende, Coronado, López, San Francisco del Oro, Huejotitán, El Tule, and Valle de Zaragoza.
In addition, El 010 also uses drones and technology and has 100 people in charge, according to El Heraldo de Chihuahua. El Debate reported that the operation that led to the capture of José Domingo was carried out in the town of Maturana.
Los Salazar leader extradited to the US
Also, on Sunday, August 20, a man accused of trafficking large quantities of drugs to the neighboring country was extradited to the United States and charged with criminal association and crimes against health. He was Don Adán, founder of Los Salazar.
Don Adán arrived in Navojoa, Sonora, in the 1990s, when he was involved in producing and distributing marijuana, according to InSight Crime, an organization focused on drug trafficking.
The Salazars, identified as an armed wing of the Sinaloa Cartel, are allegedly linked to the trafficking of substances. One is fentanyl, an opioid that has caused health problems for US citizens.
In one of them, specifically in one of the 4th Military Zone in Cajeme, Guaymas, and Empalme, the Mexican Army activated its code red due to the struggle between “Los Salazar” and “Los Chapos Trinis,” commanded by two guys known as “El Telcel” and “El Antenas.”
The Sinaloa Cartel uses remittances to launder money
A Reuters report indicated that the criminal group uses remittances to launder money derived from selling fentanyl and other drugs. More than 20 people consulted by Reuters said the criminal organization hired them as conduits for financial movements.
The Sinaloa Cartel is one of the two criminal groups with the largest national presence, second only to the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation (CJNG), which operates in 28 states nationwide. According to research by AC Consultores, the Pacific Cartel has a presence in 24.