Ten Chapitos Gunmen Killed in Government Operations in Rosario, Sinaloa

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

A Mexican Navy Pilatus PC-7 flying over Rosario, Sinaloa, 7 July.

Ten Chapitos gunmen were killed by Mexican security forces southern Sinaloa in an operation responding to an IED attack against a Navy patrol which left one Marine dead and three others wounded, last weekend. Operations have continued, with raids being carried out as well as navy planes and helicopters flying over the region.

The incidents began on July 3, when Navy personnel conducting flood prevention work at the Picachos dam in the San Marcos community of Mazatlán were ambushed with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). One Marine died from injuries sustained in the attack, and three others were wounded.

In response, federal forces launched a security operation the following day, which led to a second confrontation in the municipality of El Rosario, an area controlled by the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. The main engagement occurred around 2:00 p.m. on July 4 between the communities of Agua Verde and Cajón Ojo de Agua, when a Navy convoy came under attack by armed individuals. Security forces repelled the assault, resulting in 10 alleged aggressors killed. Videos recorded by civilians in the area show a Mexican military helicopter firing a M134 Minigun and launching grenades at targets on a nearby hill. 

Three suspects were detained and identified as:

José Luis “N”, 29, from Tultepec, State of Mexico

Yahir “N”, 36, also from the State of Mexico

Stiven Alberto “N”, 25, Colombian nationality

Operations continued on July 7th, with locals uploading footage of Mexican navy planes flying over the region, likely conducting aerial surveillance, on social media. Newspaper Noreste reported that security forces are also raiding buildings in the town of Chametla.

Mexican news site N+ reported that the operation was intended to capture Óscar Luciano Martínez Larios, “El Casco 81”, an operator of Los Chapitos in the region. 

Sources: Luz Noticias, @LupitaJuarezH, El Imparcial, Blog del Narco, Noreste