Sinaloa

How the Sinaloa Cartel turned the marble industry into its methamphetamine logistics center

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If Walter White had exchanged the New Mexico desert for the Mediterranean coast, his story would not have been very different from what the National Police has just revealed. in the series Breaking Badthe Albuquerque chemist hid his money under the sand and used a car wash to launder his “blue empire.” On the other hand, in the province of Alicante, the setting has been a marble industrial warehouse, an armored underground bunker and a statue of Popeye that, instead of spinach, kept the purest “crystal” of the Sinaloa Cartel. As if it were a script by Vince Gilligan, “Operation Saga” has revealed that the largest methamphetamine network in Europe did not operate from marginal shadows, but from the heart of the marble industry between Novelda and Monforte del Cid. He Heisenberg From this plot he decided that the marble blocks were the perfect container for the desires to expand the empire that Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán one day founded. The end of “Operation Saga”. The National Police, in a strategic alliance with the US DEA, has put the final lock on an investigation that began in 2023. According to the official press releasethis second phase has culminated in the total dismantling of a Spanish-Mexican organization responsible for turning Spain into the main hub of methamphetamine from the mainland. If in May 2024 the first phase already left a record number of 1,800 kilos of drugs seized, this new coup has ended with nine key arrests. The operation has managed to decapitate the infrastructure that the Sinaloa Cartel had woven between Tenerife, Madrid, Valencia and Alicante. A popeye 40 kilos. The logistics of the network were as ingenious as they were sophisticated. According to local mediathe narcotic was traveling from Mexico hidden inside imposing marble stones that were legally imported. Once in Spain, the organization used the business structure of a well-known marble worker in the area to move the drugs. We found the most surreal example in July 2024. The police intercepted a statue of Popeye, five feet tall and in metallic colors, bound for Tenerife. Its base was not solid metal, but contained 40 kilos of methamphetamine. The recipient, a “historic drug trafficker” on the island, was waiting for the shipment without knowing that the figure had been under police surveillance for months. This seizure made it possible to confirm that, after the 2024 coup, the organization was trying desperately refinance. The bunker and the salary of silence. Civil engineering put at the service of crime reached its zenith in a Novelda warehouse. There, the agents They found an underground bunker hidden under a heavy steel plate and a large stone block, where almost 3,000,000 euros in cash were kept. While the money was accumulating in Alicante, in the Madrid neighborhood of Malasaña, the organization supported a member of the Sinaloa Cartel “in reserve”. This man lived in a semi-cloistered regime in an apartment from which he barely left. He received a salary of 2,500 euros per month exclusively in exchange for his silence, since he knew the details of the entry of the 1,800 kilos of the first phase. A global drug network. The logistics brain was not at street level. The leader of the drug transporters, a Spaniard with a record of crimes against property, coordinated movements between Mexico and Spain through criminal teleworking from Dubai. From there he supervised not only the glass, but also secondary shipments, such as a 38-kilo shipment of marijuana intercepted in Finland. But why Spain? The answer lies in waste science. a study about wastewater (analyzing metabolites in urine) is the definitive tool to measure actual consumption. Although the consumption of methamphetamine in Spain is lower than that of cocaine, EUDA studies place Spain and the Netherlands as distribution hubs. In areas like Euskadi, for example, records of amphetamines in wastewater already show peaks that are eighty times the national average, an unequivocal sign that the market is there. The end of one era (or the beginning of another). The operation, directed by the Investigative Court number 6 of the National Court, has also seized seven luxury watches, geolocation devices and ammunition. With this, the Police consider that the most powerful criminal network of synthetic drugs in Europe has been dismantled. However, as Commissioner Alberto Morales warnsSinaloa’s persistence is legendary. Since 2009 they have tried to settle in Spain in every possible way: from “Chapo’s” cousin detained in the Palace Hotel in 2012, to the drug laboratories of “Los Chapitos” dismantled in Toledo in 2024. Today the Novelda bunker is empty and Popeye rests in the Canillas police facilities, but the authorities are clear that the “European dream” of the Mexican cartels is far from over. Image | lifestyle.sustainability and freepik Xataka | There is a huge gap between what we think medical marijuana does and what it actually does.

Sinaloa has become such a violent place that even animals flee from there

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Mexico has a problem. The Drug cartels They are tremendously influential in many of the cities, it is estimated that organized crime controls the distribution of 13% of the products and the “renewed” crisis of violence has promoted New strategies by the Government. And that violence is such that animals are also suffering. Specifically, more than 700 copies that have had to leave their sanctuary looking for quieter areas. The greatest relocation of wildlife in the history of Mexico The clashes in Mexico permeate all layers. The groups compete for the territory, something that ends up affecting civiliansbut also fight against security forces. The climate of violence implies that, although in some areas there is no explicit violence, there is uneasiness and there are those who prefer not to go through the place. A few months ago, that tension caused that Some Mayan monuments will be inaccessible Because the guides did not want to play. And something similar has happened with veterinarians and caregivers who should periodically visit the animals of the Sanctuary of Ostok. Located about 25 kilometers from Culiacán, in the state of Sinaloa, the sanctuary hoste Property of criminals. In the area, these last weeks have faced two factions, ‘Los Mayitos’ and ‘Los Chapitos’, turning the city into the stage of shooting, extortion and threats that have not been alien to the sanctuary staff. As we read in CNNthere has come a point where, despite violence, employees and animals in the place had had no problem, but as one of the employees comments in the middle, more recently they have had many difficulties in reaching their job. “They practically took us out of the place because there were people who wanted to extort us,” says Ernesto Zazueta, the director of the installation. In CBS They tell how this resurgence of violence is affecting civilians more because criminals have begun not only to extort, but also kidnap and steal vehicles to obtain funds with which to continue their particular war. This theft of supplies and vehicles has prevented the activity in the park from developing as it should, and in addition to employees, animals also suffer. “There is not a single sure place in the city these days,” says Diego García, an employee of the sanctuary, in Mexico News Dailywho has had to do with some of the animals have been eating days because there were no supplies and because employees could not arrive. The highlight was when one of the elephants of the place suffered an infection that required the review by veterinarians and they refused to enter the area for fear of that violence. It is evident that everything adds, but this is what caused it to be decided to relocate the animals, as Ernesto says in W Radio Mexico. This move was made without any advertisement for fear that the members of the cartels will take over the specimens and the destination is the El Charnto Biopark, a new sanctuary that will open in August and that is in Mazatlan, about 200 kilometers from Culiacán where things seem to be calmer. To carry it out, 15 trucks were needed and were accompanied by both members of the National Guard and by veterinarians and experts in fauna management. For Zazueta, who have been forced to have to make this decision is another sign of the deep War has permeated in everyday life of civilians. And in the Facebook account of the sanctuary, the caregivers They have shown How they say goodbye to them, since they will not be the ones who take care of them from now on. Because we have talked about the Sanctuary of Ostok, but it is estimated that, since September 2024, 97 schools, 800 businesses have closed and almost 1,000 murders have been reported only in Sinaloa. Images | Ostok Sanctuary on Facebook, CCTV In Xakata | The María Islands: The “Alcatraz” of Mexico where the most dangerous criminals in the country ended

A man from Los Chapitos who days before appeared in a video being interrogated is found dead

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The wave of violence in the state of Sinaloa continues to claim lives. In recent days, Marco Antonio Sánchez Muñozalias “SpongeBob,” was found dead in the city of Culiacán. The alleged member of Los Chapitosfaction of Sinaloa Cartelwas found handcuffed, with signs of torture, his face covered and with gunshot wounds. Days before his murder, a video had circulated in which he appeared with his shirt torn, handcuffed and beaten. He was being interrogated by alleged members of La Mayiza. During the interrogation he revealed the identity of some members of the cartel and their modus operandi. According to the images, he betrayed his loved ones “because they did not support him at the time they ‘picked him up’ and left him to die alone.” And if THIS IS MEXICO 🇲🇽 🩸💀 AFTER THIS INTERROGATION HE WAS EXECUTED. The same ones from the MAXIMUM GRADE COURSE. spongebob… pic.twitter.com/ExMl3xQPnR — Informa_GDL (@Informa_GDL) January 24, 2025 He said he was a friend of Fernando Perez Medinaalias “The Piyi”former head of security Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar. He also mentioned “Kevin 29″, “El Pelón” or “El Facundo”, “William” and Jorge Humberto Figueroa, alias “The Perris”head of security for Los Chapitos. According to Mexican media such as the newspaper Milenio, “SpongeBob” had been a transporter in Sinaloa and then became a courier for Los Chapitos, to whom he transferred drugs from one point to another. He kept a discreet profile, although he was a fan of tuned cars, weapons, parties and women, as he says. the corrido “El Bob Esponja”, dedicated in 2020 by the band Grupo Máximo Gradoknown for dedicating songs to Iván Archivaldo. The corrido describes him as “good and kind,” but also “bellicose.” In addition, it narrates his origins in Pénjamo, Guanajuato, and his move to Sinaloa to join the cartel. In the interrogation to which he was subjected by La Mayiza, he identified the brothers of a man known as “El Picudo”, allegedly responsible for the control in the “Las Moras” subdivision. He also reported that several members of Los Chapitos operated in his area of ​​residence. Keep reading:– The memorial that “El Chapo” Guzmán built in honor of his deceased son is attacked with explosives.– “El Tata” is murdered in Culiacán, the fifth influencer victim of the war between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza.

They attack with explosives the memorial that “El Chapo” Guzmán built in honor of his deceased son

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Amid the violence that is lived in the state of Sinaloa, an explosive attack caught the attention, because the goal was the memorial of Édgar Guzmán LópezSon of the drug trafficker Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. An armed group launched an explosive artifact against cenotaphus, which only stood a cross of two meters high and some pieces of cement around. The explosion was perceived by many peoplesince it happened near the Faculty of Medicine and the Autonomous University of Sinaloa (UAS), in the parking lot of the City Club supermarket, north of Culiacán, where Édgar Guzmán lost his life. The authorities work to investigate the origin of the explosive artifact, apparently improvised. Initially it was suspected of a possible car bomb, as there was a vehicle parked next to the cnotafio, very close to it. Since the unit presented firearm impacts on body and crystals, the investigations suggest that the vehicle was not part of the attack. Verona Hernández Valenzuela, of the State Public Security Secretariat (SSP), reported that There was no report from injured or killed Because of this attack. On this fact, the newspaper the news disseminated images where the damage to the cenotapio is appreciated. One of the most obvious is the separation of the memorial plate at the bottom, which said, “we will always love them.” “El Moreno”, as Edgar Guzmán López was also known, was 22 when he was killed, in May 2008, while he was outside the shopping center where his memorial was erected. He was allegedly executed by hitrings from the Beltrán Leyvawith whom the Sinaloa cartel had disputes. Another version, according to Infobae, tells that his murderers were under the orders of his own father, but they would have killed him by mistake. Édgar was accompanied by his cousins César Ariel Loera and Arturo Meza Cázareswho also died. His body was lying on the sidewalk next to at least 500 caps. To commemorate the 16 years of the death of the Son of the Chapo, the cenotafio was adorned with an arc full of thousands of white and red roses, who were also on the huge concrete cross; He had his own lighting and even a carpet. Continue reading:– They murder “El Tata” in Culiacán, the fifth influencer victim of the war between the Chapitos and the Mayiza.– Tired of narcoviolence in Sinaloa thousands of inhabitants took to the streets to protest. (tagstotranslate) Chapo Guzm \ U00e1n

Tired of narcoviolence in Sinaloa thousands of inhabitants took to the streets to protest

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Around 5,000 people took to the streets of Culiacán, Sinaloa, to protest the death of two children and their father in an attempt to theft of car in the conflicting state that is whipped by an internal war of the Sinaloa cartel. From mothers of family to young people with school uniforms participated in this demonstration to demand the end of the wave of violence of unleashed The Chapitos and The Mayiza For months, and that have caused the closure of schools and several businesses in the capital of Sinaloa. According to AFP, among the inhabitants who protested, a group of students who had banners with legends such as, “I want to live, not survive”. In addition, several inhabitants were seen to arrive at the Government Palace to demand the attention of Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, who was not in their offices at that time. Enraged by the lack of attention by the authority, the people burst the crystals of the property, broke walls and tried to force them while shouting phrases such as “Out Rocha!”, “Narcogo -government!” and “We want peace!”according to Efe. The crime that caused outrage The march was organized by civil society to demand justice for the brothers Gael and Alexander, 9 and 12 years old respectively, killed together with his father on Sunday, January 19 in an attempt to theft of the vehicle in which they were traveling. And, since the war between the Chapitos and the Mayiza broke out, hundreds of people have been stripped of their vehicles to be used by the hitmen of both criminal factions. Mrs. Rocío, mother of Antonio’s children and wife, headed the march and was called by the governor for a private meeting, which bothered the protesters. “I think the government does nothing, they sit down; It gives me courage, We can no longer go out, we are afraid“He told newspaper Eduardo, a 10 -year -old boy who played football with Alexander. Since September 9, when the narcuerra began between the Chapitos and the people of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambadathere are more than 800 murders and a thousand missing persons, according to data from the Attorney General’s Office. The Office of the Federal Security Secretary, Omar García Harfuch, assumed the investigation for the murder. Feliciano Castro, secretary of the Government of Sinaloa, said he understand the outrage and announced that there would be no reprisals for the damage caused to the government headquarters. Continue reading:– The Chapitos announce a reward for the head of security of the son of May Zambada.– They capture 5 Mayiza hitmen who had 2 kidnapped men and an arsenal. (tagstotranslate) culiac \ u00e1n

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