The Number of People Arrested in Connection With "The Lord of the Ships" Has Risen to Four

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Operations conducted by federal forces to locate businessman Roberto Blanco Cantú—known as "El Señor de los Buques" (The Lord of the Ships)—have so far resulted in the arrest of four individuals, including José Antonio Cortés Huerta, the alleged leader of a cell linked to the Northeast Cartel.

Federal government sources confirmed to MILENIO that the arrests stemmed from a series of simultaneous raids carried out in Monterrey, San Pedro, and Allende—all within the state of Nuevo León—targeting the cell associated with the aforementioned criminal organization, which is likely led by José Antonio Cortés Huerta. 

According to information obtained by this news outlet, the operation was spearheaded at the ministerial level by the Attorney General's Office (FGR) and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC). Meanwhile, personnel from the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR) deployed intelligence officers and specialized tactical special operations teams to provide security, conduct site exploitation, and maintain operational control throughout the proceedings.

The operations took place on May 9 at four properties linked to the criminal structure. This group is considered a major generator of violence and is allegedly involved in operations involving funds of illicit origin, drug-related offenses, and the possession of weaponry.

Who was arrested during the raids in Nuevo León?

Notable among those detained are: José Antonio Cortés Huerta; Jesse 'N', identified as an operative within the same structure; Rosario Flores Alemán, a close associate of the cell's leader; and Juan de Dios 'N', identified as a bodyguard.

The sources consulted indicated that the Navy's involvement was crucial in securing the properties without major incident and maintaining tactical control of the operation—which was deemed high-risk due to the organization's level of armament and financial capacity.

During the raids, authorities seized handguns and long guns, magazines, ammunition, mobile phones, computers, cash-counting machines, high-end vehicles, cash (pending an official count by the FGR), narcotics, and various documents deemed relevant to the investigation. One of the findings that most caught the authorities' attention was the discovery of properties showing signs of the organization's financial and logistical operations, as well as exotic wildlife and luxury assets that allegedly formed part of a money laundering and asset concealment scheme.

Officials indicated that, within the security cabinet, this operation is considered a significant blow to the operational and financial capabilities of this cell in Nuevo León—particularly given the profile of those detained and the seizure of electronic equipment and documentation, which will now be analyzed by federal intelligence agencies.

They further stated that the Secretariat of the Navy maintained discreet surveillance on movements and points of interest related to the organization's structure for several weeks, thereby enabling them to execute the operations with surgical precision and without creating risk situations for the general public.

The Link to 'El Señor de los Buques'

José Antonio Cortés Huerta has been identified by authorities as one of the key operatives for businessman Roberto Blanco Cantú.

The seized properties are linked to Roberto Blanco Cantú—also known as Roberto Brown Cantú—the majority shareholder of the company MEFRA FLETES, S.A. de C.V., who is responsible for the commercialization of illicitly sourced hydrocarbons originating in the United States.

It is suspected that Blanco Cantú is connected to a corporate network allegedly used to smuggle illicit fuel from the United States into Mexico through schemes involving tax evasion on fuel, document manipulation, and maritime-port logistics.

Sources: Milenio, Borderland Beat Archives