Capture of Cartel de los Reyes Boss Sparks Narco Blockades and Shootouts in Michoacán

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Cartel de los Reyes boss Alfonso Fernández Magallón, “Poncho La Quiringua”, was captured in an operation by Mexican security forces in the town of Imbarácuaro in Los Reyes de Salgado, Michoacán yesterday.
His capture sparked roadblocks and vehicles were set on fire in various parts of the municipalities of Los Reyes and Peribán, Michoacán.

Fernández is the head of the Cartel de los Reyes, a faction of Cárteles Unidos with a presence in the municipalities of Cotija de la Paz, Tocumbo, Los Reyes de Salgado, Buenavista Tomatlán and Peribán de Ramos, Michoacán. Mexican authorities accuse him of various crimes including vehicle theft, kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking. According to Mexican authorities, he is a collaborator of Juan José Farías Álvarez "El Abuelo, the head of the Cartel de Tepalcatepec.

Fernández was indicted in the District of Columbia with drug conspiracy offenses and firearms offenses in July 2023, and was wanted by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for drug-related offenses.

Sources: Defensa press release, El Universal, Victor Sanchez, U.S. Dept of State