Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe Alias, "Musico" "Manny" "Salgado" "23" Indicted in Chicago on Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, and Firearm Charges

Press Release

Alleged Leader of Sinaloa Cartel Faction Indicted in Chicago on Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, and Firearm Charges

Friday, September 5, 2025

A federal grand jury has indicted an alleged leader of a violent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico on terrorism, drug, and firearm charges, including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise.

According to the superseding indictment returned yesterday in the Northern District of Illinois, Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe, 50, of Sinaloa, Mexico, also known as El Musico, directed the importation of large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs — at times in shipments of hundreds or thousands of kilograms — into the United States on behalf of the Beltran Leyva faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

“As alleged, Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe led a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel that flooded the United States with fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin and used murder and intimidation to protect its profits,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Sinaloa Cartel has been designated a foreign terrorist organization because of the kinds of crimes announced today. This indictment further demonstrates that the Criminal Division will use every tool at its disposal to target cartel leaders, including by holding them accountable for acts of terrorism against our country.”

“Today’s narcoterrorism indictment of El Musico sends a powerful message that this Administration is going to aggressively pursue transnational criminal organizations and hold their highest-ranking members and associates accountable for poisoning the American public with illegal and harmful drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois. “The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office has a proud history going back many decades of prosecuting some of the nation’s biggest and most significant narcotrafficking cartel cases. Building on that tradition, under my leadership, our office will continue to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of violent drug cartels, several of which, including the Sinaloa Cartel, have very deservedly been designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Working closely with other prosecutors and law enforcement partners across the United States, our goal remains unchanged: to disrupt and dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel’s drug empire and bring its leaders to justice.”

“From narcocorridos to narcoterrorist. El Musico famously writes his own lyrics, but his next one will be written from the Bureau of Prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California. “As El Musico once boasted, ‘La vida es curiosa, hoy soy poderoso,’ but soon his ‘Rancho Querido’ will be nothing but a distant memory.”

“This indictment sends a clear and uncompromising message: cartel leaders who flood our streets with fentanyl and arm their networks with machine guns and grenades are not just drug traffickers — they are terrorists,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe and his faction turned cartel violence into a campaign of terror, targeting police, military, and civilians alike. DEA remains relentless in our pursuit of these narco-terrorists, and we will not stop until the Sinaloa Cartel — and every organization like it — is dismantled, its leaders brought to justice, and American families protected.”

“The indictment of El Musico and the dismantlement of the leadership structure of these foreign terrorist organizations are direct results of the unwavering commitment of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and our law enforcement partners to protect the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations San Diego. “We remain resolute in our mission to bring all members of these criminal cartels to justice, regardless of where they attempt to evade accountability.”

“As a leader of a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, Gastelum Iribe allegedly directed the importation of cocaine, heroine, fentanyl, and other lethal drugs into the United States and oversaw atrocious acts of violence, including kidnappings and murders, in Mexico,” said Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division. “The superseding indictment against him is the result of years of collaboration among multiple federal agencies and judicial districts. The FBI and our partners will continue to work toward dismantling the Sinaloa Cartel and bringing its violent leaders — including El Musico — to justice.”

After the arrest or death of the faction’s original leaders, Gastelum Iribe assumed a leadership role and conspired with associates to distribute drugs nationwide. including in the Chicago area, using cars, trucks, rail cars, and other interstate carriers. To protect the cartel’s operations, Gastelum Iribe allegedly ordered and carried out violent attacks against rivals, military personnel, and law enforcement, including ordering the murder of a Mexican police officer and two others. Under Gastelum Iribe’s leadership, the faction armed its members with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, explosives, and other weapons, while also engaging in kidnappings, assaults, and bribery of corrupt public officials.

Gastelum Iribe is charged with terrorism, drug trafficking, and firearm offenses. The terrorism charges, which accuse Gastelum Iribe of engaging in narcoterrorism and providing material support and resources to the Sinaloa Cartel, is a result of President Trump’s Executive Order 14157 designating the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and the State Department’s subsequent designation of the same in February of this year.

If convicted, Gastelum Iribe faces a mandatory penalty of life in prison. He is not in custody and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The indictment is the result of a collaboration between prosecutors in the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the Northern District of Illinois, and Southern District of California, as well as law enforcement partners from Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, and DEA.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s OCDETF and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated September 5, 2025

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Ranch and three other properties secured in simultaneous mega-operation in Guasave, Sinaloa. Military Special Forces continue to pressure Fausto Isidro Meza Flores "Chapo Isidro" Organization

 CHAR 

AUGUST 5, 2025 

INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY LUZ NOTICIAS 

The Attorney General's Office, through the FEMDO (Federal Investigation Unit of the Federal Police), carried out simultaneous searches in urban and rural areas of Guasave.

Ernesto Torres

05/08/25

A major operation took place this Tuesday, August 5, in the municipality of Guasave, where the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO), part of the Attorney General's Office (FGR), reportedly seized a ranch and three other properties.

This was part of four simultaneous searches carried out in urban and rural areas of the municipality.

In addition, during the operations, the FEMDO had the support of the Mexican Army, the National Guard, and the State Preventive Police, who mounted operations outside the buildings to provide security.

There were four searches.

The operations began in the early hours of Tuesday and took the residents of Guasave by surprise. Two of the searches were carried out in the urban area of the municipal seat, and the other two in the rural area.

The operation was heavily guarded by federal and state agents, who cordoned off the areas targeted by the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime while the corresponding investigations were carried out.

Sources from the Attorney General's Office confirmed to Luz Noticias the four searches, which were recorded at the following locations:

• Ejidal Colony: on a property located on Sauces Street, between Juan S. Millán Boulevard and Heriberto Valdés Street.
• Centro Colony: on Colón Street, in front of the Oxxo store known as "El Oxxo de la Cuchilla," where the largest number of armored vehicles was reported.
• Private Ranch: located on the highway that connects Bamoa Pueblo to Guasave, approximately one kilometer ahead of the community of Nío.
• Bamoa Pueblo: on a property located directly across from the offices of the municipal government.
• A significant presence of members of the Mexican Army, the National Guard, and the State Police was observed at all locations.

Arrests or seizures

So far, no official information has been released on whether any arrests were made during the searches or whether any criminal objects were seized inside the properties.

Specifically, federal authorities placed seizure seals FED/FEMDO/UEIMDS-SIN/0000573/2025 on the ranch—a property measuring several hectares—located between Bamoa Pueblo and Guasave, just over 1 km ahead of Nio. This indicates that evidence relevant to the investigation may have been found.

Meanwhile, at the homes located in the Centro and Ejidal neighborhoods, security forces conducted interior searches, but no information was released on whether they found any items related to an investigation.

Sources from the Attorney General's Office in Sinaloa confirmed the seizure of the four properties and indicated that the searches stem from intelligence work carried out by the FEMDO.

They also clarified that the Specialized Federal Prosecutor's Office does not inform the Sinaloa state delegation about the content of the investigations or the evidence seized, as these are confidential proceedings.

Results of the Inter-Institutional Operation

At this time, authorities have not issued an official statement on the results of the inter-institutional operation. However, the Attorney General's Office is expected to release information through its institutional channels in the coming hours.

It is worth mentioning that this operation is part of a series of deployments carried out by the inter-institutional security group since last Friday in various areas of the municipality of Guasave, with the exception of Sunday, when the presence of federal and state forces has continued through patrols, operations, and searches.

SOURCE: LUZ NOTICIAS 

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Navy personnel carry out a major operation in the Bamoa Station area; at least one person is reported arrested. Navy Raids In Chapo Isidro Territory Continue.

 CHAR 

JULY 15, 2025 

During the federal forces' intervention in the Guasave region, officers intimidated journalists covering the operation.

Ernesto Torres

July 15, 2025

A heavy security operation, consisting of a dozen trucks with personnel from the Mexican Navy, invaded the Bamoa Station area of the municipality of Guasave and reached the border with the municipality of Sinaloa on Tuesday.

According to reports, federal forces arrived just before noon and implemented a massive operation with at least 10 police vehicles in the 6 de Febrero neighborhood, located on the border with Maquipo, Sinaloa.

Security Operation

It was established that upon arriving in the community, naval personnel were stationed in front of three homes where searches and raids were allegedly carried out simultaneously.

According to residents, the marines detained at least one person and removed items from a white vehicle parked in front of one of the homes. It is unknown whether the items were illegal, such as drugs or weapons.

After more than two hours of intervention by federal forces, the convoy finally headed down the state highway that connects Estación Bamoa with Mexico 15.

The results of the operation are unknown.

These surprise operations disrupted the tranquility of the area, but above all, they shocked the population of this rural area of the municipality of Guasave. Although no violent incidents have been reported for months, the specific objective of these federal interventions remains unknown.

To date, neither the Navy nor the Attorney General's Office has issued an official bulletin on the operation and its results. It is also unknown whether the searches were carried out legally and pursuant to court orders.

Were the searches carried out irregularly?

But it is presumed that they were carried out irregularly, judging by the behavior of the Navy officers. Upon realizing that they were videotaping and that reporters from various media outlets had arrived at the scene to document the operation and the "seizures," they became annoyed and intimidated them.

During their movement, the officers even blocked the way for journalists at one point to prevent them from continuing to cover the operation. There, the Navy officers demanded that the media representatives back off and leave the area, arguing that they were in the middle of an official procedure.

SOURCE: LUZ NOTICIAS 

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FBI Arrests 12 from Imperial Valley Drug Network Working For Guasave Cartel Leader "Chapo Isidro"

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat

In a coordinated operation in California, Arizona, Iowa, and Colorado, 12 alleged members of the [Beltran Leyva Cartel cell] of Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, "El Chapo Isidro," were arrested. Six search warrants were executed in Imperial County, and the search continues for 10 more fugitives, some in Mexico.

The 22 alleged members of the transnational drug trafficking organization were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of importing and distributing more than a ton of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine into the United States, laundering illicit proceeds, and attempting to export firearms from the United States to Mexico.

More than 1,000 kilograms of drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and more than 750 kilograms of fentanyl, 10 firearms, and more than $250,000 in narcotics proceeds had been seized.

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Chapo Isidro, the boss who grew up under the watchful eye of the Army; Secretary Of Defense Of Mexico places him at the level of “El Mayo” and Caro Quintero

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

This information was posted by EL UNIVERSAL

Over the past two decades, the drug lord has expanded his sphere of influence into Sinaloa, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Durango and Nayarit. The Army places him on the same level as El Chapo Guzmán and El Mayo Zambada.

Chapo Isidro, the drug lord who grew up under the watchful eye of the Army. Illustration: by Ani Cortés

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM 

WRITTEN BY: MIRIAM RAMIREZ 

FEBRUARY 9, 2025 

Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, alias Chapo Isidro, or as some refer to him, the “other Chapo,” has just been listed by the FBI as one of the 10 most wanted criminals in the world, and is offering 5 million dollars, about 100 million pesos, for information leading to his arrest. He is considered the head of a “large-scale” organization. The United States government accuses him of introducing fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana into that country. With the designation that occurred just last Tuesday, Meza Flores entered the “big leagues” of international crime, however, in Mexico there is a history of almost two decades that precedes him and is recorded by military intelligence; it includes his arrest and release on at least four occasions and satellite images of the addresses where until a few years ago he took refuge in the mountains of Sinaloa.

In 2008, at just 25 years old, he assumed the war leadership of the Beltrán Leyva brothers' organization when they separated from the Sinaloa Cartel. At that time, the Beltráns began a battle against Joaquín Guzmán Loera, alias El Chapo, and Ismael Zambada García, alias El Mayo, similar to the one currently being fought by the Guzmáns and the Zambadas. These have been the two largest splits of the Cartel.

Just a few years later, on May 4, 2011, Chapo Isidro was arrested in Culiacán, accused of committing crimes against health, illegal deprivation of liberty, and violating the Federal Law Against Organized Crime, according to an identification card prepared in May 2020 by the General Adjutant of the Secretary of National Defense. However, he was released without detailing the reasons or the institutions that participated.

According to internal Sedena documents that can be consulted through the mega-leak of Guacamaya Leaks, in 2012 the Guzmán Loera and Zambada García factions managed to displace the Beltrán Leyva from Sinaloa, and established their hegemony in most of the municipalities of the state. And although they were seriously weakened, the Beltráns never really disappeared.

In that year, in parallel, the United States issued the first accusation against Meza Flores. It was filed in the Court for the District of Columbia.

Free and in operation, El Chapo Isidro established himself in the north of Sinaloa and took total control of the municipalities of Guasave and Sinaloa de Leyva. And although they tried hard, neither El Chapo nor El Mayo were able to take those territories from him.

While Chapo Isidro was increasing his military, logistical and political capabilities in the northern zone, he was arrested three more times in a period of two years, according to the same document from the Aide: on July 9, 2014, in Guasave; on August 8, 2014, in Ahome and on April 16, 2015, in Guasave again.

Beginning in 2016, Meza Flores' structure expanded its areas of operation to 13 of the now 20 municipalities of Sinaloa. He made sure to flank the state with a presence in the north, south, coast and mountains.

Due to his imminent growth, in 2018 the Army classified him as the leader of several criminal cells that operated not only in Sinaloa, but also in Sonora, Baja California Sur, Durango and Nayarit.

Although this drug lord had kept a low profile and that had helped him not to be heavily pursued by the authorities, as happened with El Chapo or El Mayo, on November 26, 2019, a federal indictment and a federal arrest warrant were issued against him in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Then came the production of fentanyl, the new great enemy of the United States and, according to the Mexican and American governments, Chapo Isidro also entered the manufacturing of the now famous blue tablets. In December 2024, the Mexican government seized a ton of fentanyl in Sinaloa, and it was immediately awarded to him. That, inevitably, put him on the priorities of the Mexican and American authorities.

For this work, dozens of emails, diagnoses and analyses of the security situation were reviewed. The reports were prepared by the Ministry of National Defense, the National Guard and the CERFI of the West and Northwest, intelligence centers that provide information to Sedena, the Ministry of the Navy, the Attorney General's Office, the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection and the National Intelligence Center.

The reports track the movements of El Chapo Isidro. Year after year, they mapped his presence in the country, traced the sea and land routes he used for drug trafficking, and placed him on the same level of hierarchy as Joaquín Guzmán Loera, Ismael Zambada García, Rafael Caro Quintero and, in recent years, Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, alias El Chapito.

The FBI has included Meza Flores on its list of the 10 most wanted fugitives in the world. It is offering a reward of five million dollars, approximately 100 million Mexican pesos.

The takeoff

In February 2016, a document prepared by the Criminal Investigation Agency included Meza Flores among the 122 priority targets of the federal government. El Chapo Isidro was then eleventh on the list and was identified as the leader of the Beltrán Leyva organization in Sinaloa. That same year, the Sedena recorded that he was engaged in an intense dispute with the Sinaloa Cartel in other territories with the intention of extending his production areas beyond Guasave and Sinaloa de Leyva. In December 2017, the Third Military Region reported that Meza Flores had managed to enter the neighboring municipalities of El Fuerte, Ahome and Angostura, the latter two allowing him to have access to the Sinaloa coastline and, from there, create a new maritime route. It also began to establish itself in the mountainous area of ​​southern Sinaloa, in the municipalities of San Ignacio, Mazatlán, El Rosario and Escuinapa, places that share borders with Durango and Nayarit.

At that time, according to military intelligence documents, Meza Flores used a maritime route for drug trafficking that started in the port of Topolobampo, in the northern municipality of Ahome, then stopped in Bahía de Kino, in the municipality of Hermosillo, Sonora, and ended in Puerto Peñasco, very close to the border with Arizona.

At the end of 2018, the Sedena identified a new maritime route. With control of Ahome and Angostura, Meza Flores planned the trip to Loreto, Baja California Sur, through the Gulf of California.

As for the land route, Chapo Isidro has used Federal Highway Mexico 15, the most used to travel from Sinaloa to Sonora.

The combination of the surnames Meza Flores began to stand out in documents on drug trafficking and armed power in Durango, Nayarit and Baja California Sur. In a criminal diagnosis of the Western Region of Mexico, dated December 2018, the Sedena stated that Isidro was the leader of criminal cells that operated in the northern, central, northern coastal and mountain regions of Nayarit. Meanwhile, in Durango, the Third Military Region estimated that Meza Flores maintained a 15% presence in the state, especially in the mountain municipalities of San Dimas, Pueblo Nuevo and Mezquital, areas close to the south of Sinaloa and north of Nayarit.

In August 2022, an intelligence operation carried out by the Sedena and the United States government managed to obtain aerial images of the capo's location.

El Chapo Isidro had stopped being a local leader to become one of the major players in Mexican crime. By July 2019, the Sedena stated that the capo had formed the “Triple Alliance” in Baja California Sur, a union between the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel, the local organization “Los Renés” and himself. The objective of this meeting was to fight the Sinaloa Cartel for control of the municipalities of La Paz, Los Cabos, Comondú and Loreto.

The power accumulated by El Chapo Isidro already allowed him to fight different battles simultaneously. In that same year, but in Sonora, he sought control of drug trafficking and sales in Guaymas, another strategic municipality due to its location on the Pacific Ocean coast.

Between 2020 and 2021, Sedena reaffirmed Meza Flores' total control in Guasave and Sinaloa de Leyva, and added its partial presence in Choix, El Fuerte, Ahome, Angostura, Salvador Alvarado, Navolato, Concordia, San Ignacio, Mazatlán, Escuinapa and El Rosario.

The image was obtained after an overflight carried out by the United States government in coordination with the Sedena, according to internal Army documents.

Dozens of emails exchanged between the director of Air Operations and Customs and Border Protection Services of the United States and a high-ranking Sedena official, whose position was not identified, show an intelligence operation carried out by both countries between 2019 and 2022, in the first part of the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

They called it Operation Mongoose, and it carried out overflights in Mexican territory with aircraft and pilots from the United States government through Sonora, Sinaloa and Nayarit. It also intercepted radio signals and recorded conversations.

On August 8, 2022, Operation Mongoose obtained two key images of El Chapo Isidro. Aerial photographs show a complex of 10 cabins located in the mountain community of El Batamote, Guasave, Sinaloa. Another image shows a country-style hacienda in the community of Estación Bamoa, Sinaloa de Leyva. The documents that contain the exact coordinates of the locations are titled “The house where Chapo Isidro slept” and “Chapo Isidro’s cabins.”

Today he is free, and is one of the FBI's 10 most wanted fugitives.

SOURCE: EL UNIVERSAL 

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Empresa De Guasave Or Guasave Enterprise Organizes Christmas Party In Estacion Bamoa Town Of Guasave, Sinaloa. Chapo Isidro Home Turf Is Estacion Bamoa.

 "Char" and "Enojon" for Borderland Beat 

DECEMBER 31, 2024

As I stated in a previous post, Empresa de Guasave Or Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, "Chapo Isidro" organized a Christmas party in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, and toys as well as pantries were given for free to the public at large. A source confirmed this event occurred in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, a stronghold plaza of the Fausto Isidro Flores Meza organization. 

Milenio News today December 31, 2024, published a journalist work of a Christmas party now organized in Estacion Bamoa town of Guasave, Sinaloa, home turf of Chapo Isidro. Moreover, this party was well organized as free tacos and hot dogs were offered to the public. Also, toys and pantries were once again offered to the public. 

GUASAVE ENTERPRISE 

GUASAVE CARTEL 

                                        

VIDEO TRANSLATION 

BY: SOL PRENDIDO 

In the state of Sinaloa something very similar happened. The following events occurred in Bamoa, a village in Guasave. Milenio News attended one of the so-called narco posadas there. Carlos Morales has the story. 

This Christmas the generosity and the controversy were found in a corner of the north of Sinaloa with the so-called narco posadas. Milenio News was present in one of them in broad daylight at the foot of the church Our Lady of Guadalupe in Bamoa. The atmosphere was festive. More than 1500 people attended. Whole families of men and women with children in arms who waited patiently for their turn to receive food pantries, toys, and sweets. 

The grilled beef tacos and hot dogs were handed out without skimping. And the music to liven up the event wasn’t Christmas music but narco corridos, all alluding to the organizers, the Guasave Cartel. Milenio spoke with some attendees but they refused to be recorded. They confirmed that these narco posadas are a tradition.

Anonymous female: Everything is better organized than before. They use to go through the streets handing out food pantries and toys. But not everyone would receive something. With the way everything is set up now the organization has improved their way of giving.  

The prizes are also part of the attraction. Organized crime gave them tickets to participate in a raffle with prizes. Such as motorcycles, appliances, refrigerators and televisions that were placed in the main esplanade of the town. 

These narco posadas were also organized in other communities of Guasave; Juan José Ríos and Ahome. By orders of El Chapo Isidro, leader of the Guasave Cartel, who is originally from this municipality. 

FAUSTO ISIDRO MEZA FLORES

CHAPO ISIDRO

EL CHAPO DE LAS FLORES 

SOURCE: MILENIO 

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Empresa Guasave Or Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, "Chapo Isidro" Delivers Pantries And Toys In Los Mochis, Sinaloa . Chapo Isidro Wishes You A Merry Christmas

 "Char" for Borderland beat 

DECEMBER 25, 2024 

EMPRESA DE GUASAVE

ENTERPRISE OF GUASAVE

A source sent the following image and stated that in Los Mochis, Sinaloa,  a plaza controlled by Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, "Chapo Isidro" pantries and toys were delivered to the public at large. 

While violent clashes have erupted in Sinaloa in plazas controlled by La Mayiza and La Chapiza, in plazas and territories controlled by Chapo Isidro there has been a deafening calmness. The speculation has been constant on whether Fausto Isidro Meza Flores has joined Ismael Zambada Sicairos, "Mayo Flaco" in the war against Los Chapos. There is still no confirmation as of yet on Chapo Isidro joining Mayo Flaco. 

FAUSTO ISIDRO MEZA FLORES 

CHAPO ISIDRO PARTY IN GUASAVE, SINALOA 

The following video was sent by an anonymous source who stated that a big party took place in Guasave, Sinaloa, the base of operations of Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, "Chapo Isidro". The party started on Friday, December 13, and ended on Sunday, December 15, 2024, so it lasted three days. 

PLEASE SEND INFORMATION INFORMATION IF ANYONE CAN CONFIRM THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN CHAPO ISIDRO AND MAYO FLACO. 

EMAIL: IVAN.FRONTERA4@GMAIL.COM 

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Onslaught Of Mexican Navy Special Forces Raids In Ranches In El Guayabo And El Carrizo; Houses “Seized” in Los Mochis: Sinaloa. December 3, 2024

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

This article was posted by LUZ NOTICIAS

At the moment, there are at least at least one raid in Ahome, no seizures or arrests of persons have been announced.

Ernesto Torres

 03/12/24

A strong mobilization of elements of the special forces of the Secretary of the Navy was registered very early in the morning, along with personnel from the Attorney General's Office from Mexico City, for a series of operations and searches in the municipality of Ahome; the results are unknown at this time.

Early on Tuesday, December 3, the arrival of special Navy forces was reported, a convoy made up of at least 25 vans and a dozen units without logos, with men dressed in black and presumably carrying personnel from the Attorney General's Office of Mexico, almost 150 elements.

In the case of Los Mochis, there are currently three homes that have been searched, all of which, according to neighbors, have been alone, so it is presumed that these were raids without official search warrants. 

The first “burglary” by the marines and the men in black of the FGR

                             

The first one was carried out in a house located in the Las Malvinas neighborhood, in the north-east of the city of Los Mochis, where they entered and left the place in less than 10 minutes.

A second property is located in Sierra Morena, between Buenos Aires and Alborada in the Las Mañanitas subdivision.

According to neighbors, the police arrived at this address kicking the neighboring houses, including in one of them, there was a young woman who works in her home doing cosmetology work, and at that moment there was an elderly client, both of them were intimidated and wanted to take them out by force.

They pointed large caliber weapons at them. After shouting at them and causing them to panic, they left and then “blew up” the other two-story building, where unofficially it was said that there were seizures, including a pickup truck.

And the third one on Calle 5 de Mayo, between Zaragoza and Gabriel Leyva, in the Insurgentes neighborhood. 

In all of them they entered and within minutes they left and it is unknown what they found inside, what has transpired unofficially is that no arrests have been recorded.

In the rural zone they also “busted” some houses and ranches.      

                                   

At the same time that the three aforementioned houses were being searched, another group of special forces of the Secretary of the Navy arrived in the rural zone of the municipality of Ahome, specifically in the Carrizo valley, where they searched a house in the Villa Gustavo Díaz Ordaz - El Carrizo syndicate.

Moments later in a community of the Heriberto Valdez Romero syndicate, better known as El Guayabo, there elements arrived in 5 Navy vans and in two private white units, where they also entered a private ranch and searched it.

They remained there for a few more minutes, so it is presumed that there may have been a seizure.

In other places where they have reported the presence of Navy elements this same day, is in Ejido Mochis, Ejido Mexico, Ejido Primero de Mayo, Ejido 5 de Mayo, Ejido Felipe Angeles and 18 de Marzo.

In addition, after the search of the Insurgentes neighborhood, it was reported that they are heading to Ejido 9 de Diciembre to carry out another search of a property.

It appears that the agents are divided into two groups carrying out simultaneous searches in the rural area of the municipality of Ahome and in the urban area of the city of Los Mochis.

 Also in Compuertas they searched a ranch next to the canal behind the community.

SOURCE: LUZ NOTICIAS 

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Police find 5 dead in Sinaloa state

Five unidentified individuals were found dead in a mass grave in Sinaloa state Tuesday, according to Mexican news accounts.

A new report which appeared in the online edition of El Diario de Chihuahua said the dead were found in a grave in Ahome municipality in northern Sinaloa state.  The location of the grave, colloquially known as a narcofosa, was near the village of San José de Ahome.

According to an extract from an EFE news account which appeared in La Cronica news daily, the victims found in the narcofosa have been dead for six months.  Two complete skeletons were found Monday with three others' remains found Tuesday.  As of this publication excavations  continue.

Usually mass graves are burial grounds of victims in kidnapping operations, who are often killed even though transom has been paid.  The news report said that a number of missing persons report have been filed in the region in the past, but have not said if the bodies were among those victims.

A news report also said that the area where the narcofosa was found is the territory of Isidro Meza Flores, AKA El Chapo Isidro the leader of the Meza Flores drug cartel.

Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War nad national political news for Rantburg.com and BorderlandBeat.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com

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