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Monday, January 8, 2018

San Diego: Mini Lic to plead guilty, ending an era

Mini Lic to plead guilty this week

*Note, the change of plea hearing has been changed to Wednesday
Edited to reflect the change

Late last year, in the hours toward midnight, during he midst of the seemingly never ending haze of Christmas parties, and relentless, frenetic holiday cheer, I found myself on the balcony of a downtown condo.  Directly behind me was the Metropolitan Correctional Center, MCC, the federal jail in San Diego.  

This particular unit did not overlook the detention center, but rather, loomed in front of it, facing the bay, the hotels, lights of Coronado across the water.  I felt it's presence though, as I am frequently more lost in thoughts, than I am interested in those around me.

As I have noted in these kinds of articles, the MCC houses almost everyone, who was anyone in the Sinaloa structure post 2010, all those who were caught, anyway. Or, to be more precise, those who trafficked through the Tijuana/San Diego corridor, from Chino to Serafin, and Mini Lic, who sent tractor trailer and truck loads of meth, cocaine, and heroin from Sinaloa to Tijuana.  


Damaso Lopez Serrano was a presence himself, in the era of Chino Antrax's infamous instagram pictures. He captured the culture of the moment, the mid 2010's, of social media obsession, and documentation, status and likes.

 That culture has now manifested itself in uglier and more vicious ways, as children from Culiacan, and elsewhere, style themselves as D list Chino's and Mini's, lacking the prestige, power, money, and style of the older traffickers. Los juniors, who themselves were considered young, and breaking with the norms of the past, discretion and a kind of humility, as displayed by Mayo Zambada, in his 2010 interview. 

El Pirata de Culiacan, an alcoholic orphan, who was exploited and used, trafficked in a sense, to parties and events, a clown, a a joker, a court jester for adoring and leering fans, cheering on the drugs, the alcohol, the guns, the lifestyle.  Or an imitation of it.  El Pirata De Culiacan was shot 15 times, and died on the floor of a bar, blood, hair, the slick, sticky alcohol and ash stains on the floor. I don't think he even got a pair of Louboutin's, the red soled designer shoes, illuminating the glamour shots of Chino, across Europe.  

Mini Lic's own instagram captured narco life in less international ways, often showing himself and his cousins, friends, entourage toasting local beers, and racing in the mountains of Sinaloa.  Sometimes shots of women, and Mini Lic flashing the peace sign, engraved pistols and car keys.  It was over a long time ago.  Maybe it was over that night in August 2016.  Maybe it was slightly after, when Los Chapitos, his one time compadres were returned alive, betrayed, embarrassed, but alive.  

Or when his father, Damaso Lopez Sr. was arrested in a Mexico City condo, far from the battlefield, where his men were thrown from planes, or left dead, bodies disfigured with bullet holes.  He turned himself him to the DEA at the Calexico Port of Entry in late July, where he was taken into custody by the DEA, and brought to San Diego.

 He had been indicted in August 2016, on drug trafficking charges, with a small circle of relatives and friends, three of whom were arrested, or turned themselves in shortly after, including his uncle Alvaro Lopez, who pleaded guilty in fall of last year.  Los Chapitos, with their reach, wanted to make sure the family, and all their loyalists were cleansed. Many, assuredly were.

http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2017/08/damaso-lopez-mini-lic-indited-in-san.html

Now, Damaso Lopez Serrano, changes his plea.  He will plead guilty, and federal court proceedings will continue, and he will wait in MCC for his sentence.  He will plead in front of the same judge who oversaw cases against Chino Antrax, and Serafin Zambada Ortiz.

He will plead guilty to one or two of the charges on the five count indictment, the rest will be dismissed. In at once a very simple, and very existential way, all these men were on a list.  Their names have been crossed off.  Others, still on that list, and hundreds of miles away, must wonder when their time will come.  If Damaso sees his son again, it will be in federal prison. Both Jr and Sr, I suppose.   

I don't know if these men think in these terms, perhaps not.  When they stand in front of a judge for sentencing, many apologize, some break down, are they truly ashamed?  Do they really reject the life? God is often mentioned.  Do they not miss the buckets of champagne, yachts and off road racing?  

In another year, more probably, we will learn how long it will before Mini Lic is free again. He leaves behind a legacy of sorts, an era, a moment in this history, where it seemed he would never fall.  It's a legacy of blood and consumption, of fame, and irony, and maybe, most of all an illusion.





93 comments:

  1. El Chapo will never die, his legacy continues in Sinaloa

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    Replies
    1. Chapo's legacy is that of a mule for the Colombians, that of a man who let his kids get kidnapped and lets the man who is responsible roam free. His legacy of a man who killed and raped lots of innocent victims etc. Now his legacy will be getting ass raped in the rest if his life in Jail!!!

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    2. Chapo will have a legacy of being a snitch

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    3. Why do you support a terrorist?

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    4. crawling in a sewer covered in crap like the dirty rat he was.

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    5. Don Jaoquin will be home with family in Culiacan by Christmas of next year.

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    6. His Legacy continues but he is stopped dead in his tracks. I'm going to write corridos about him to continue his legacy . We have many homes awaiting just like the one chapo is going to finish his life in . That's the message those STUPID corridos should be sending the young people .

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    7. Just like Pablo Escobar? Ok, Popeye...

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    8. Pablo , chapo, Amado three man who make all drug lords look like kids

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    9. Pablo and Amador look like kids compared to Pablo. No comparison

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    10. All the narcos Latinos are the perras of the real owners of drugs and the drug trafficking, just think, WHO HAS ALL THE MONEY IN THEIR PROPERTY IN THEIR BANKS?
      MEXICO doesn't even own a Banco Nacional anymore, but Carlos slim Helú owns some of his own banks, and part of other foreign ones.
      Some of Pablo Escobar's money is found once in a while,
      rotten, devoid of value, while his employee "El Varito" owns half of Colombia and a big chunk of its drug trafficking after being president mass murdering maniac alvaro uribe velez.

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  2. Say what you want about the chapos, it is clear who had the real pull in the Sinaloa alliance. The Dámaso faction fell with astonishing quickness, this was as decisive of a dismantling as any we’ve seen

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    1. los chapos told the media lics tried to kill mayo n them at a meeting. mayo is dea.

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    2. Everyone knows Mayo is either CIA,DEA, or FBI in one way shape or form.

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    3. Hes nothing. Not if his sons have been locked up by the dea. You watch too many movies. Dont give me this theyll be out in 10 years to take over bs. You guys know nothing. After 10 years these guys will be screwed up in the head and come home to remnants of their fathers cartel.

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    4. At 6:21 I respect your opinion, but history says otherwise. Fact Vicente Zambada met with DEA in Mexico City. Fact Mayo and Chapo had agreements with The Mexican government with the blessing of the U.S government. Fact Mayo is still free with a very long and successful career. Fact the U.S has ask people of the underworld for help “the ends justify the means” example during ww2 the American Mafia help the U.S government to stop the theft of military supply in the New York docks. Let’s not forget the contras in Nicaragua.”My opinion” crime, drugs,prostitution, and other vices whether we like it or not it is apart of every day life all around the world.

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    5. The Guadalajara Cartel, was all sinaloenses, at the service of the Mexican DFS, and all were/ARE puppets of the CIA that says what goes, you steal too much, traffic too much for yourself, piggyback your shit with the CIA's one too many times, and you will be gone with El Chapo, and your boss the CIA is not moving one finger for you.

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  3. Replies
    1. My thoughts EXACTLY ,
      Thanks, J

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    2. Very well put together article. Been a fan for many years-happy new year from Minnesota

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    3. Great article, but I don't understand what this one has accomplished. All I see is a punk bee-yatch who made a few videos and perhaps assisted with a few risk-free deals under daddy's protection. It's hilarious that he'll now have to do 10+ for being a poseur

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    4. Was also thinking that this is elegant direct writing.

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    5. Mini Lic was nada..

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  4. When chaps got busted in Maza, condor said war was coming and that bravo or lic would get blamed. He was right, Bravo was killed and chapos booted el lic

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    Replies
    1. Licenciado killed Bravo. That is a fact. Another interesting fact. Cadeta is the one liable for Kidnapping Chapo's kids. His Compadre Cholo from Jalisco let go of them orders from El Mencho. Initially, he allowed that to happen cause Cadete said they were randoms that owed him money for various shipments.

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    2. @ 12:35 I thought bayo from la noria crew was in charge of the kidnapping, hence why after the sons were released mencho had the whole crew murked and dumped in chapala to act as if it was a rogue act, maybe I’m wrong just what I heard

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    3. Why do people assume Bayo was involved in the kidnapping? He was killed by a different cell of cjng. Cheerleaders can't stand the fact Chapo didn't do shit just pay up

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    4. 12:35 it was el cholo ivan who ordered bravo execution. El cholo called bravo to a meeting but uppon arriving el bravo and his escoltas were disarmed and later executed.

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    5. 11:41 money is power in Mexico you idiot.

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    6. @12:35 I thought Bravo was right hand man, higher than cholo. Wouldn’t Bravo be the one to call a meeting not the other way around?

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    7. Bravos body had his pants pulled down what does that mean?

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  5. Nobody forced El pirata to do his do, just like nobody forces any of these clowns to do their do... it is what it is

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  6. I'm sure they will have a stash of cash when they get out.

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    Replies
    1. No....they have nothing...they went for the gold, and fell down on lap #2...Mini had no choice. Their financial guy went down too. Any scraps they had left will be spent or disappeared by the time they get out. They weren't in the game long enough. CDS, CJNG have political pull. Damaso was a traitor to the gov, and to CDS....They are done.

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  7. Nicely written...

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  8. It’s always been an illusion.
    But can assure they will get a good nights sleep. No more running, hiding nor evading.
    Moreover, sleeping with one eye open for fear of treachery or becoming a victim.

    If any remorse should overcome during their solitude. Or any bit of human compassion arise.
    Recommend to reach out to those young kids by means of educating.
    Such inspirational words and stories of the reality of Narco lifestyle can bring hope to many who think it’s all glory.

    Just a bit of advice
    E42




    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are no illusions in the narco life. It is a much rawer and extreme reality, compared to a standard 9 to 5 job earned from a college degree. The fast money, women, luxuries and invincibility are well worth the gamble of your life. Most just don't have the balls or the common sense to think practical and understand that we all need money, and the fastest money comes from crime. Be it stealing oil or murdering and selling drugs. What you people can't see is that society has crafted a moral compass for everyone, controlling our financial destiny, killing us with hard labor for crumbs, only to be forgotten about when our pensions have been stolen by politicians. Think about it, really think about it. Who is the dummy in these situations? Everyone.

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    2. @ 4:38 “well worth the gamble”? Such an idiotic thing to say. “Don’t have the balls”? Stupid is stupid does like you insane comment.

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    3. 4:38
      You are definitely correct!
      Society has crafted a financial compass. A financial burden on many for scraps just to stay afloat. Many living on their knees day to day to eat. Moreover, the scrutiny of what’s a decent wages worth.
      While corporations continue to prosper for financial gains to please stockholders. This is clearly evident throughout the world.

      Nevertheless, to engage in criminality for sustenance is by far the answer. Where opportunities are obtainable with every stride and determination one makes.

      We all know it’s not a perfect world out there. But living carelessly will always result with consequences.

      Question is?
      Is it worth the price?
      For many it is !

      Nice input!
      E42

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    4. Men, pick yourselves Up, there will be a convention on la Plaza De Los Lamentos in Cd Juarez this year for all the crybabies, no time for educaishun when the time is up.
      And remember, epn and MAO osorio chón ARE LICENSIADOS, but they bought their degrees en La Merced, and the rest of the politicians all over the world can't make ends meet with the moneys their "degrees" make for them, they always need to be stealing something robbing anything and bombing all the "so called shitholes" in the world...even people who went to the best collidges and have the best PhD's in the world at their beck and call, they still need to launder money and accept donations from the enemies of the country like some cheap Benedict Arnolds...it makes me more convinced that the mexican capos del narco are the better people...

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  9. I enjoyed reading this. Good job!

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  10. : ) good ohl MCC, brings back memories took a vacation their back in 2012 ; ) met CAF leader Benjamin. Id say its more like a motel 6 rather than a federal prison.

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    Replies
    1. What did you and Benjamin talk about?

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    2. You met Benjamin? What floor were you on?

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  11. " as I am frequently more lost in thoughts, than I am interested in those around me "

    Brother i can dig,sometimes you cannot make sense of what we as humans continue to do.Good thoughts and sentiments,nice little piece to get you thinking.What will be the repercussions of Mini Lics endless inside knowledge,he knew he was a dead man if he stayed in Mex,Los Menores must be freaking they didn't get him?

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  12. How does the sentence of a narco junior marks the end of anything?
    Last time i checked the panorama of drug trafficking in Mexico was exactly the same.

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    Replies
    1. the end of post 2010 social media / fame / narco junior luxorious life era. there will be more yes but that will be another era DUH.

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    2. 2:49 Pretty sure it isn't the end of that either...

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    3. Problem is always the same Drama Mamas...
      For everything else must pass

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  13. Canten un corrido para estos jotos". Rata De dos patas.

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  14. Chapoteos will get busted sooner than later. The way DEA tracks everyone down nowadays it's only a matter of time. Including Mencho and the rest of the clowns who's greed creates endless sorrow for our society and victims families. Wether deserved or not at the end they are victims.

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    Replies
    1. DEA doesn’t capture bosses,
      That would mean budget cuts. They don’t want that

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  15. Great Mexican Hero

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  16. Good read...Chapitos clearly won that war. shock and awe..the new click obviously didn't back Damaso against the Chapitos

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    Replies
    1. Chapitos didint win anything they ran behind mayo

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    2. @9:47 So Mayo went to war with damaso? Get the fuck out of here

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  17. Daddy Mamasón, a lawyer before he came into money, did not pay the right price to live off someone else's drug trafficking, and he did not teach his son El Mini-Mamasón any good manners like respect towards others and himself and to go to school instead of trying to be bad ass, he may get his GED in prison yet.

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    Replies
    1. lol damaso was no lawyer he was a prison commander

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    2. the dumbassholes era is done as it will be for mencho.

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    3. Una persona que se titula Es un licenciado pendejo

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    4. Damaso has a law degree, hence the name Liciencado...

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    5. 2:44 El director de la prison DE Puente Grande Damaso "El lic" Mamason Sr. Was and IS a lisensiado en derecho.
      And you are not.

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  18. I wonder if he'll testify in chapo chapos case

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    Replies
    1. I am guessing yes...we won' know for a long while. and exactly when is up in the air. I got word today the judge is going to make up his mind about a continuance in feb. only two mos before scheduled trial...

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    2. As the government has already mentioned. They have enough evidence and recordings to bury Chapo so they will not need him at all. But there will be a few surprise witnesses the feds have said and they could be big time cartel leaders and high ranking politicos.

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    3. When will la barbie be sentenced?

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  19. I wonder if the cartel members get to speak to each other if they're in the same jails? If each is being used to give evidence against each other I'd love to see their faces when they realise they're all betraying one another.

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    Replies
    1. They are isolated from everyday inmates. Separated individually with no contact between other criminals even exercising alone.

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    2. En la carsel, los señores see hasen muuy amigos, but they allare watching their own behinds, just in case.

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  20. Most sicarios will be forgotton or they will not even become a name big enough to talk about like Lazcano or el ondeado yea us interested in narco noticias or cultura know od them but thats it now you go anywhere and say Chapo Guzman the man is not anyone i admire in anyway far from it but he is i guess in sorts a time in history that will not be forgotten nor will his name.

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    Replies
    1. You can't tell the story of Chapo without mentioning M1. Plus, Lazca and M1 were both such strong characters, I have a feeling they will be immortalised in narco history.

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    2. Lazcano is sewage, a monster born from Satan, his whole family should have been exterminated.

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    3. M1 didn’t do that much, yes he had good years but, they weren’t he years sinaloa was winning the most

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    4. People assume it was Z40 who was bloodthirsty,it was LAZCANO,nothing got done without his say so.
      Lazcano was a pure brutal showman who didn't care how many people were killed as long as it showed how badass Los Zetas were.The Zetas basically were Lazca,dont think the Zeta decline would have been as swift if Lazcano was still alive,he was a sort of an enigma but he must have been driven and intelligent,but a brutal monster.Bet it was Lazca who ordered Cadereyta 49 innocent migrants(mostly)Good thing Marinos perforated his head,for everyone's sake in Mexico

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    5. Z40 alias la zeta chorrienta had to have done something to earn the trust and love of El Lazca, he was not going to respect a lazy puss huevon

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  21. Hay protecion de parte de mulecular crip gang para mini lic

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  22. THE PLEA HEARING DID NOT OCCUR YESTERDAY.

    It has been rescheduled read notice from the court......

    NOTICE OF CHANGE OF HEARING as to Defendant Damaso Lopez-Serrano (1). Upon request of counsel, Change of Plea Hearing set for 1/8/2018 is reset to 1/10/2018 02:00 PM in Courtroom 13A before Judge Dana M. Sabraw.

    Tomorrow

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  23. No que muy chingon Al rato cae mencho with USA you don't mess with.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wat did chino get after all??

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    Replies
    1. Still not sentenced, it is a minimum 10 years I believe though. Given that he pled guilty so far back but they’ve yet to sentence suggests they’re seeing how many cases he can help them with to cut it down

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  25. Damn, he had the best corridos

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    Replies
    1. The one by arley bumps not going to lie

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  26. Anyone else think it's weird how Chapo is Mini's Godfather?

    If that is true, his father must have known Chapo long before his first imprisonment.. no?

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    Replies
    1. No, they met during his incarceration. He made him his compadre for helping him escape. Shortly after damaso was 100% part of the underworld.

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    2. El Mamasón Sr said a little before his arrest that La Chapa is his compadre, his friend, that they love and respect each other and that there are no problems between them.
      But peepol have to make their shit on everybody else's chamberpot, pinchis verduleras.

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  27. Dann coward, what about all the tough corridors about mini lic. He actually turned himself in?...shoot, You know he gave a bunch of Intel about chapitos and cds. On other cms in witness protection, they don't call that click snichaloa for no reaso

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  28. So Pirata de culiacan is Mini Lic cousin? Im confused

    ReplyDelete
  29. All of there people are now switching to juarez and new generation

    ReplyDelete

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