Los Rusos Retaliate for Operations, Killing Two State Police Agents in Mexicali, Baja California

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Two police officers were gunned down in separate events in Mexicali, Baja California this weekend. State authorities claim these attacks are linked to recent operations against Los Rusos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

In the first attack, Rubén López Orduño, an intelligence officer with the Fuerza Estatal de Seguridad Ciudadana (State Citizen Security Force - FESC), was ambushed alongside his wife in Tijuana, Baja California. Both were killed after gunmen in two vehicles opened fire on the couple in the Zaragoza neighborhood at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Friday, 26 June, before fleeing the scene. During the attack, López Orduño's wife shielded their infant from the gunfire, allowing the child to survive unharmed.

On Saturday night, another attack occurred at a taco stand in the Benito Juárez ejido of Mexicalli, where, Manuel Enrique Guerrero Sánchez, a member of the FESC was shot and killed. Another woman was injured by a stray bullet. The vehicle allegedly used to commit the crime was later found burned.

Operations Against Los Rusos

According to General Laureano Carrillo Rodríguez of the Secretary of Citizen Security, both agents had received threats and were targeted for their participation in investigations targeting Los Rusos, an armed wing of Los Mayos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

The investigation began on 28 May with the arrest of two Colombian nationals accused of coordinating drug-smuggling flights and the movement of personnel in the Valle Mexicali. On 5 June, authorities seized an aircraft, which led investigators to an unauthorized hangar where they confiscated approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine, a second aircraft, and several foreign luxury vehicles.

May 28: Two Colombians linked to the Sinaloa Cartel were arrested in Mexicali

Finally, one June 24, officers came under fire after locating a suspicious vehicle in Valle de Mexicali, near San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora. During the ensuing gun battle, one state police officer was wounded, while Mauricio Aarón, alias "El Wicho," an alleged Los Rusos operator, was killed. Authorities also arrested Gerardo "N," another suspected member of the criminal organization, and seized six stolen luxury vehicles.

Sources: Milenio, Enlineabc, Vanguardia, Infobae, Proceso, @Eco1_LVM, Proceso