FBI's Most Wanted Trafficker Ryan Wedding Part 3: 'Cocaine Lawyer' Deepak Paradkar Arrested

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat
From a Globe & Mail Article

According to the evidence filed in court, the Wedding organization relied on the services of a particularly motivated corrupt lawyer, whose role was of great importance.

This Ontario lawyer, Deepak Paradkar, worked directly under Ryan Wedding and was responsible for investigating drivers and circumstances in cases where their cocaine shipments were seized by authorities, procuring new transportation routes for Wedding, and paying lawyers in Canada and the United States to find out if any traffickers in the organization arrested by police were cooperating with authorities.

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For $270, Colombian Hitman Kills A 15-Year Who Was Forced to Sell Drugs in Tulum, Quintana Roo

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

A Colombian hitman has been arrested for the killing of a 15-year old boy who was forcibly recruited to work as a drug dealer in Tulum, Quintana Roo. The hitman was paid $5,000 pesos, or 270 US dollars, by a drug gang for the killing. 

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Zacatecas Police Arrest Four San Luis Potosi Cops for Dumping Seven Corpses Near Zacatecas Border

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

A Zacatecas special police unit arrested four Guardia Civil officers from the neighboring San Luis Potosi under suspicion of attempting to hide seven corpses in Villa de Cos, Zacatecas on Sunday night.

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El Mayo Zambada's Operator Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering in the United States

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

El Mayo Zambada's Operator Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering in the United States

Before US authorities, Lupe Tapia admitted his guilt for crimes related to drug trafficking.

José Guadalupe Tapia Quintero, identified as an operator for Ismael 'El Mayo Zambada', pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges in a US court.

According to reports, on 17 November, during a hearing in an Arizona court, José Guadalupe Tapia Quintero, alias 'Lupe Tapia', admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and conducting transactions with money from illicit sources.

Lupe Tapia, an operator for El Mayo Zambada, pleaded guilty before US authorities to drug trafficking and money laundering offences committed as a member of the Sinaloa Cartel.

According to his testimony, between December 2006 and March 2012, he was responsible for transporting and distributing methamphetamine and other substances from Mexico to Arizona in the United States.

In addition, he distributed the money obtained from these operations among various properties in Arizona and other locations, from where it was managed and sent to Mexico to be used in the operations of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Who is José Guadalupe Tapia Quintero?

The United States stated that Lupe Tapia could face a life sentence for drug trafficking, while for money laundering he could receive up to 20 years in prison.

However, the former operator of El Mayo Zambada could face fines ranging from $10 billion to $500,000 per offence, respectively.

Source: SDP Noticias

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SEMAR and FGR Dismantle Criminal Network That Trafficked Drugs at Airports in Tijuana and Mexico City

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Elements of the Mexican Navy (SEMAR) and the Attorney General's Office (FGR) dismantled a criminal network that used commercial flights to traffic drugs from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to Tijuana, Baja California, evading security controls.

On November 21, 2025, personnel from the Naval Airport Protection Unit arrested four people at Terminal 2 of AICM who were carrying several packages of cocaine. During the operation, the FGR seized 271 packages weighing approximately 270 kilograms of cocaine, two vans, and four cell phones that the criminal cell used to coordinate the trafficking.

The SEMAR and the FGR identified, through field and intelligence work, the existence of a network that took advantage of the dynamics of commercial flights to move shipments to Tijuana without undergoing the required X-ray inspections or completing the necessary shipping procedures.

The four detainees were informed of their constitutional rights and placed at the disposal of the corresponding ministerial authorities, who will determine their legal status. The Mexican Navy (SEMAR) estimated that the drug seizure represented an economic blow of 92,048,498 pesos to organized crime.

The Mexican Navy (SEMAR) and the Attorney General's Office (FGR) reiterated that they will continue coordinated operations to curb drug trafficking through airport infrastructure and reinforce security at one of the busiest air terminals in the country.

Tijuana, Baja California 

Source: Zeta Tijuana

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Clash in Acambay Leaves One State Police Officer Dead and 12 Arrested

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The incident occurred during an operation to recover a stolen cargo truck. The State of Mexico Security Secretariat (SSEM) and the National Guard were attacked in the community of La Loma, where long guns, handguns, and the stolen vehicle were seized.

One state police officer was killed and 12 municipal police officers were arrested following an armed confrontation in the early hours of Sunday in Acambay. Members of the SSEM and the National Guard were attacked while conducting an operation to recover a stolen cargo truck.

Attack in the Community of La Loma

According to information from the SSEM, an alert regarding the theft of a cargo truck led to a joint deployment of state police and the National Guard. Upon arriving in the community of La Loma, where the stolen vehicle was located, the officers were fired upon, forcing them to return fire in accordance with the legitimate use of force.

In the midst of the exchange, one state police officer was killed and four other members of both agencies were wounded. All were taken to a hospital and are out of danger, according to the official report.

The fallen officer was identified as Jair Ernesto, assigned to the Special Security Force (FES), while the wounded include a member of the Special Security Force (FES) and a member of the Action and Reaction Force (FAR) from the Jilotepec region.

Two members of the National Guard were also wounded and were later transferred to a military hospital in Mexico City. All were taken to a hospital and are out of danger, according to the official report.

Eight rifles, six handguns, and the cargo truck previously reported stolen were seized at the scene.

Several municipal police patrol cars with bullet holes were also found at the scene, along with the Bronco SUV and the trailer that was transporting the Razer-type vehicle.

The area remained under guard while initial investigations were carried out and shell casings were collected from various locations.

Arrest of 12 Municipal Police Officers

After containing the attack, state and federal agents arrested 12 men who identified themselves as municipal police officers from Acambay.

The detainees were taken to the Public Prosecutor's Office along with the seized weapons to determine their legal status and establish their possible involvement in the attack.

The Attorney General's Office of the State of Mexico opened an investigation to clarify how the confrontation began and the connection between the attackers and the cargo truck robbery.

Context Following the Arrest of the Former Police Chief

The Acambay municipal police force remains under scrutiny after its former chief, Eulises “N”, was arrested during Operation Swarm and recently sentenced to more than 100 years in prison for forced disappearance and extortion.

The capture of the former commander weakened the local structure and left open several lines of investigation into the internal workings of the municipal police.

Twelve municipal police officers were arrested following the armed confrontation in Acambay. 

La Loma, State of Mexico

Villa de Acambay de Ruíz Castañeda is also informally known as Acambay.

Source: El Sol de Toluca

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FBI's Most Wanted Trafficker Ryan James Wedding Part 2: Canadian Gang Leader, Lawyer & Blogger Arrested in Killing of FBI Informant

 "Socalj" for Borderland Beat

In new indictments announced, Wedding is accused of ordering the murder of a federal witness. “The witness was gunned down at a restaurant in Medellín before he could testify against Wedding,” US Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

According to the new indictment, Wedding had the help of accomplices in several countries, including a woman in Colombia who claimed to have contacts within the cartels and authorities capable of tracking cell phones. 

Another accomplice was a woman whose mission was to lure the victim to a specific location. In exchange, Wedding's money launderers paid for her mortgage and for cosmetic surgery.

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Cases Involving the Murder of Minors Linked to Drug Trafficking: Nuevo León Prosecutor's Office

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Prosecutor Javier Flores Saldívar condemned the killings of a 5-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy in San Nicolás, as well as the death of an 8-year-old boy in Guadalupe.

The Nuevo León Attorney General's Office stated that the recent armed attacks in which minors have been collateral victims are linked to organized crime.

This is due to cases such as the one on Wednesday in the municipality of Guadalupe, where a mother and her eight-year-old son were murdered by a man who was allegedly looking for the woman's partner in the Cañada Blanca neighborhood.

In another violent incident in San Nicolás de los Garza, a five-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were killed after being attacked while at a gathering in the Prados del Nogalar neighborhood.

In response, Attorney General Javier Flores Saldívar condemned the killings.

"Regarding the homicides you mentioned that occurred in San Nicolás and in the municipality of Guadalupe, both crimes are related to drug trafficking, and it is tragic that minors were involved, which further highlights the behavior of those who engage in this type of crime. These acts are condemned, and we will thoroughly investigate them to find those responsible," said Flores Saldívar.

The official stated that all evidence is being collected to carry out the investigative procedures aimed at identifying those responsible for the crimes.

San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León 

Guadalupe, Nuevo León 

Source: Milenio

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Blow to "Los Rodolfos": They’re Arrested During Raids in Tlalpan and Xochimilco

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Officers from the Mexico City Police Department (SSC) arrested three alleged members of the criminal group “Los Rodolfos” during the execution of three search warrants at properties located in the boroughs of Tlalpan and Xochimilco. This represents another blow to this organization, identified as a major source of violence in the southern part of the capital.

Among those arrested is Yair “N,” alias “Golden Boy,” identified as the group’s main operator and allegedly linked to drug dealing, illegal logging, homicide, extortion, and land grabbing.

Also arrested were José “N,” who allegedly led a group of enforcers used to carry out land seizures, and Isair “N,” identified as the alleged leader of hitmen.

During the simultaneous operations, authorities seized 385 doses of suspected drugs, a firearm, license plates, various documents, and cell phone SIM cards.

THE RAIDS

The first raid took place at a housing complex on Puente Street, in the Ex Hacienda San Juan de Dios neighborhood of Tlalpan, where authorities seized 136 doses of suspected drugs, a handgun, ammunition, and a cell phone.

The second operation was carried out on 3 de Mayo Street, in the Cipreses neighborhood, also in Tlalpan, where 127 doses of suspected drugs, license plates, memory cards, documents, and identification were seized.

The third search was carried out at a residence on Cocoxóchitl Street, in the Xochipilli neighborhood of Xochimilco, where 124 doses of suspected drugs and two cell phones were seized.

The three detainees have criminal records for kidnapping, aggravated robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and dispossession.

All were turned over to the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the properties were secured.

According to the investigation, Los Rodolfos operate in the boroughs of Xochimilco, Tláhuac, Milpa Alta, and Magdalena Contreras, where they are linked to high-impact crimes such as drug dealing, homicide, and extortion.

These operations involved personnel from the Mexico City Attorney General's Office (FGJCDMX), with support from the National Defense Secretariat, the Navy Secretariat, and the National Guard.

The Tlalpan borough in Mexico City. 

The Xochimilco borough in México City. 

Source: El Grafico Mx

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FBI's Most Wanted Trafficker Ryan James Wedding Part 1: Global Network Sanctioned by the US

 "Socalj" for Borderland Beat

The US has raised the reward for Canadian alleged narcotics trafficker Ryan James Wedding to $15 million, with additional $2 million rewards offered for information leading to the arrests of the unknown assassins who murdered a FBI witness last January in Medellín, Colombia.

FBI Director Kash Patel claims, "He's the Pablo Escobar of modern times."

   
Wedding, who is on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, is a snowboarder who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. After his snowboarding career, Wedding turned to a life of crime as a transnational narcotics trafficker.

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Enforcers From Edomex, Chiapas, Veracruz and Jalisco, Arrested in Villanueva

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Following an armed attack on security forces, suspects were pursued by land and air; weapons, tactical equipment, and drugs were seized.

A criminal cell was dismantled in Villanueva after attacking members of the Zacatecas Immediate Reaction Forces (FRIZ). The arrest of four men was made possible by a joint operation involving authorities from all three levels of government, who acted swiftly.

The attack occurred while FRIZ personnel, in coordination with the Mexican Army, the National Guard, the Investigative Police of the Zacatecas State Attorney General's Office (FGJEZ), and the Investigation Division of the Public Security Secretariat (SSP), were conducting strategic patrols to prevent and search for perpetrators of violence in the area known as “Junta de los Ríos,” in the aforementioned municipality.

During these patrols, armed individuals attacked the operational personnel. In a swift ground and air response, supported by the SSP's Black Hawk helicopter, security forces repelled the attack and arrested four men, allegedly linked to criminal activities in the area.

The detainees were identified as: Víctor Daniel N., 18 years old, from the State of Mexico; Joel N., 19 years old, from Chiapas; Marcos N., 20 years old, from Veracruz; and Gustavo Jesús N., 34 years old, from Jalisco.

During the operation, four long guns, four bulletproof vests, nine magazines of various calibers, 40 doses of  marijuana, and 11 doses of a crystal meth were seized.

It is important to note that no injuries to police officers or assailants were reported.

Both the detainees and the seized weapons, tactical equipment, and suspected drugs were turned over to the appropriate authorities, who will compile the case file to determine their legal status.

Villanueva, Zacatecas

Source: Express Zacatecas

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Gang of “Los Negros” Busted, Accused Of Extorting Drivers In The Gustavo A. Madero Borough

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Following several complaints, police arrested three men who were demanding money from drivers in the Insurgentes Norte and Zacatenco areas.

“Los Negros” demanded a fee from public transportation drivers in the Gustavo A. Madero borough in exchange for not attacking them. Fed up, the drivers affected by the extortion reported the criminals, and three of them were arrested.

“El Karín” is actually named Mauricio Constantino, is 34 years old, and along with Ramsés Ismael, “El Ramas,” and Edwin Armando, both 18 years old, threatened drivers to force them to hand over part of their earnings.

These are the men who, notebook in hand, extorted public transportation drivers in the northern part of the city.

With these notes in their notebooks, the criminals recorded the drivers on the routes running from Indios Verdes to Martín Carrera who handed over the demanded fee.

With the complaint filed with the city police, the search for the assailants began. It didn't happen overnight, but after several visits to the Residencial Zacatenco neighborhood, where the drivers' base is located, the officers managed to locate the three men.

It was at the bus stop on Insurgentes Norte Avenue where the criminals from the "Los Negros" gang arrived and threatened the workers.

Threatened with harm if they refused to hand over the money, the drivers had no choice but to give up their earnings.

Upon seeing them, the police approached and arrested them. They were carrying the loot their victims had handed over, along with six cell phones and the notebook where they organized the extortion schemes.

The three men arrested were identified by their victims as the individuals who had been extorting them.

The men were taken to the prosecutor's office where the investigation continues.

The Gustavo A. Madero Borough in Mexico City. 

Source: El Grafico Mx

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Karina Aurora Díaz Hernández, Councilwoman of Palizada, Campeche, Was Murdered

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The Campeche State Attorney General's Office (FGE) reported on the evening of Monday, November 17, 2025, regarding the attack against Karina Aurora Díaz Hernández, a councilwoman from the municipality of Palizada, who died while receiving medical attention.

"Agents from the State Investigation Agency assigned to the municipality of Palizada responded to a call at the General Hospital, where a woman was reported to have been admitted with a gunshot wound," the Campeche Attorney General's Office explained in a statement.

Although the councilwoman was not mentioned by name, the state law enforcement agency also indicated that the corresponding investigations have begun to clarify the facts and find those responsible for the attack against her.

After the councilwoman's death was announced, the President of the Senate of the Republic, Laura Itzel Castillo, also a member of the Morena party, expressed her condolences on social media.

“My deepest condolences and my profound outrage. My solidarity is with you, dear Senator @MartinaKantun, and with the family and friends of our colleague Karina Díaz Hernández. It is imperative that the facts be clarified and the perpetrators punished,” he said.

Palizada, Campeche

Source: Zeta Tijuana

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State Guard Officers Rescued Two People Who Had Been Kidnapped

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat 

At the location where they were being held, State Guard agents found a rifle, three magazines, and 45 rounds of ammunition.

The two people freed and rescued by State Guard officers were turned over to the appropriate authorities.

State Guard officers rescued two people who had been kidnapped.

The incident occurred yesterday afternoon while officers were conducting security and surveillance patrols in the Palma Diamante neighborhood of Reynosa.

State Guard personnel were approached by a person who claimed to have been kidnapped at a residence where a second person was found in the same situation.

The man was found bound and gagged and stated that he had been kidnapped in a pickup truck; he was later taken to a house where he was held for five days.

Following the tip, a search of the area was conducted, and the indicated property was located. Inside, a second man was found bound and gagged. He stated that he had been held captive for eight days.

An inspection of the premises yielded a rifle, three magazines, and 45 rounds of ammunition of the same caliber, all of which were seized.

After the victims were rescued and freed, they were taken for medical attention and, along with the evidence, were turned over to the corresponding Investigation Unit of the Tamaulipas State Attorney General's Office (FGJT) to begin the investigation.

NOTE:

The two men had been held captive for eight days.

The Palma Diamante neighborhood in Reynosa, Tamaulipas.

Source: El Mañana

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Boxer Goran Gogić's 20 Ton Cocaine Trafficking Case Adjourned Due to Juror Bribery Attempt

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat

The Brooklyn federal trial revolving around one of the biggest cocaine busts in US history will reconvene in 30 days, with an anonymous and partially sequestered jury, Judge Azrack ruled.

Three men were planning to give a juror $100,000 to persuade a juror to acquit a former boxer accused of trafficking massive amounts of cocaine, according to federal court documents. The 20-ton shipment of cocaine was seized by US Customs in 2019, the largest single seizure in the agency's history.

The New York City trial for former heavyweight Goran Gogić of Montenegro, who is charged with violating federal maritime drug law by smuggling cocaine on container ships, was scheduled to start Monday.

Gogic, of Montenegro, was set to stand trial for allegedly conspiring to smuggle 20 tons (18.1 metric tons) of cocaine to Europe from Colombia through U.S. ports using commercial cargo ships. Federal agents had arrested Gogic while he was boarding a flight from Miami to Zurich after traveling to Puerto Rico for a boxing convention.

He has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Instead, the court was adjourned and the jury was dismissed, according to court documents.

The judge presiding over the trial in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, Joan M. Azrack, scheduled a status hearing for Dec. 17, according to a court document filed Monday.

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