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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The relatives of "El Tito" are buried with drum music In Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Guasave and Los Mochis criminal figures will face pressure from military in the upcoming months.

 CHAR

JULY 29, 2025 

THIS INFORMATION WAS POSTED FROM LUZ NOTICIAS 

They were kidnapped in Los Mochis and found dead days later in El Carrizo. Four were close relatives of El Tito, executed a week earlier in the Goros II prison.

Ernesto Torres 07/28/2025

To the music of the band, with deep pain, helplessness, and many questions, the funeral and burial took place for the five men found executed last weekend on the side of Mexico City International Highway 15, in the Carrizo Valley, Ahome.

The victims are four members of the same family and a close friend; they were deprived of their liberty on the night of Wednesday, July 16, by an armed group that broke into a home located in the Scally neighborhood of Los Mochis. Since that night, no further word has been heard from them.

On the morning of Saturday, the 26th, their bodies were found abandoned with signs of torture and strangulation. One of them still had the tourniquet tied around his neck; another, the father of two of the young men, was found dismembered in a bag and a plastic box.

That same Saturday night, the State Attorney General's Office released the body of Jassiel Eduardo, a 26-year-old car dealer and resident of Infonavit Mochicahui.

According to reports, Jassiel had gone to the airport to pick up his friend, one of the Vázquez brothers, a friend of his who had returned from abroad and arrived at the airport; together, they went to the Scally home, where they would later be kidnapped by an armed group. 

He was considered a cheerful, easygoing, and very friendly person. His acquaintances assure that he was very well-liked in his inner circle. Jassiel was buried yesterday afternoon in the Jardines de la Memoria cemetery, accompanied by his closest family members, close friends, and band music.

The funeral procession was surrounded by family and friends who knew him in life, and their faces reflected the sadness of his final resting place.

Farewell to "El Tito's" Family

Hours earlier, at the Santa María Funeral Home in El Carrizo, the legal autopsy was performed on the bodies of "El Tito's" four relatives, and at the stroke of midnight, the Prosecutor's Office released them.

The bodies of Rosario Vázquez Salazar (52 years old), her children, Rosario Vázquez Sánchez (27) and Omar Eduardo Vázquez Sánchez (22), and her nephew Luis Fernando Carrillo Vázquez (26), were taken to the Misión Funeral Home in the city of Los Mochis.

There, the four coffins were placed together in a single chapel, where their loved ones awaited them in deep sorrow, as well as close friends who came to bid their final farewells.

The four were considered quiet, friendly young men, with active social lives, and well-liked by those who knew them. During the funeral, many people were absent, perhaps due to fear of possible retaliation or an unsafe environment, although the turnout was notable among family members and close friends.

This Monday, July 28, the four members of the Vázquez family were buried in the Jardín Funeral Misión cemetery, located on the airport road.

Just eight days earlier, the man known as "El Tito" was buried in that same cemetery. He was a close relative of the victims, murdered in an alleged fight inside the Goros II federal prison.

No Progress in the Case

So far, authorities have provided no progress on the case or the circumstances surrounding the alleged fight that led to the death of Javier Alonso Vázquez Sánchez, alias "El Tito." He has been detained by the Navy since December 2024 after the seizure of 1,500 kilos of fentanyl pills, one of the largest seizures in the country's recent history.

During the funeral, the bands that accompanied each procession played songs favored by young people.

The corridos, well-known among them, provoked tears, memories, and hugs, mourning the loss of young lives that will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on their families and loved ones.

Speculation about the multiple kidnappings and murders of the family is causing commentary, especially on social media. Although the families have already buried the victims, they remain hopeful that justice will be served, or at least that they will be informed of some progress in the investigation.

SOURCE: LUZ NOTICIAS 

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Those murdered in Ahome turn out to be the family deprived of liberty in Los Mochis.They correspond to relatives of "El Tito", the inmate murdered in the Goros II prison.

 CHAR 

JULY 26, 2025

INFORMATION BY LOS NOTICIERISTAS 

WRITTEN BY: FIDEL HERNANDEZ

Ahome, Sinaloa.- Unofficially, it has been revealed that the five bodies found on the side of Federal Highway Mexico 15 near the Chávez Talamantes community belong to relatives of Javier Alonso "V" "El Tito," who was recently murdered inside the Goros II prison in Ahome.

Sources from the Prosecutor's Office reported unofficially that the bodies were identified as Rosario "V," 52; his children Rosario "V," 27; and Omar Eduardo "V," 22; as well as his nephew Luis Fernando "C," 22; all of whom are relatives of "El Tito." The fifth body belongs to Jasiel Eduardo "G," 30.

Four bodies were lying on the side of Federal Highway, while the fifth body was found completely dismembered inside an orange bag.

The deceased had been sought by their families since July 16th of this year. Since then, they have not heard from their loved ones. Unfortunately, they were found lifeless on the morning of Saturday, July 26th of this year, in the aforementioned ejido (common land).

When the bodies were found, authorities reported that the victims showed signs of violence.

After the incident was reported, authorities from all three levels of government responded to the scene. Upon arrival, they confirmed the discovery of the five bodies.

Forensics from the Northern Zone Forensic Investigation Directorate of the State Attorney General's Office (FGE) were in charge of conducting the legal investigations. The bodies were recovered and taken to a funeral home in the municipality of Ahome, Valle del Carrizo.

SOURCE: LOS NOTICIERISTAS 

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The elite military special forces "Bats" group deploys a major operation in Guasave and Los Mochis: Sinaloa.

 CHAR 

JULY 26, 2025

THIS INFORMATION WAS POSTED BY LUZ NOTICIAS 

In total, at least 14 Army units and 11 more from the federal Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection were counted.

Osmar Zavala

07/26/2025

A major operation by federal forces took place this Saturday afternoon in the municipalities of Guasave and Ahome, with the deployment of at least 14 pickup trucks from the Mexican Army's Special Forces Corps, known as "Murciélagos," in addition to 11 additional units from the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), bearing the agency's characteristic black and white colors.

The convoy began its journey in Guasave, where the military personnel patrolled various parts of the city. They later moved to the municipality of Ahome and were seen in northern Los Mochis, in what is believed to be a coordinated surveillance and violence deterrent action.

To date, no clashes, arrests, or seizures have been reported as a result of this deployment. However, the presence of these elite units has raised concerns among the public due to their level of specialization and the number of units deployed.

This operation adds to a series of military actions that have been intensifying in Guasave for several weeks. The presence of the Army, the Mexican Navy, and the Interinstitutional Group has been constant in communities and neighborhoods of the municipality.

On Friday, Army paratroopers patrolled the districts of Nío, Estación Bamoa, and Unfonseca, while in Las Playitas they entered several homes, seizing a handgun and two loaded magazines.

That same night, a convoy of armored vehicles and an Ocelot-type unit patrolled areas such as San Francisco, 24 de Febrero, and surrounding areas. Their presence was also reported in communities near El Burrión.

On Saturday morning, at least three Navy units conducted patrols in various parts of the city, including the vicinity of the Municipal Cemetery, in an apparent surveillance and prevention strategy.

Although authorities have not issued official reports on the results, these operations are expected to continue as part of the increased security in the region.

SOURCE: LUZ NOTICIAS 

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Adrián “El Gallero”, Elier Jasiel and Javier Alonso, the three deceased in the Goros II prison, Ahome, Sinaloa. El Gallero cooked Fentanyl for Pedro Inzunza Noriega Coronel "El Pichon" Son Of El Sagitario

 CHAR 

JULY 20, 2025 

They were being held in Module 5; one of them, "El Gallero," was arrested for possession and transportation of fentanyl in El Carrizo.

By: Liz Douret

July 17, 2025

Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Information has gradually emerged regarding the identities of the three inmates murdered with a knife inside the Goros II Penitentiary Center in Ahome. They were being held in Module 5.

Due to the families' desperation to know the names of the victims, the on-site investigation revealed that they were Adrián "N," alias "El Gallero," Elier Jasiel "N," and Javier Alonso "N."

Unofficially, it was reported that "El Gallero" had been detained since December 5 after being apprehended by the National Guard on Mexico Highway 15 near the El Carrizo municipality. During this arrest, a vehicle and a kilogram of fentanyl were seized.

The Attorney General's Office (FGR) was conducting an investigation against him for his alleged involvement in the historic seizure of fentanyl in Los Mochis, where 1,100 kilograms of fentanyl were seized.

In addition, it was reported that the three victims suffered multiple stab wounds.

It was also revealed that the injured man was identified as Aarón "N."

At the Goros II Penitentiary, personnel from the Northern Zone Regional Deputy Prosecutor's Office continue to gather information to determine how the events occurred and identify those responsible.

EL GALLERO FENTANYL COOK FOR EL PICHON

BY: CHAR 

El Gallero, people of Pedro Inzunza Coronel "El Pichón," lieutenant of his father, Pedro Inzunza Noriega "El Sagitario". El Gallero was highly likely to be killed by his own former employees. El Gallero was captured by the Mexican Navy in December of 2024, with the largest seizure of fentanyl in Mexico. This fentanyl seized belonged to Pedro Inzunza Coronel, "El Pichon". As said earlier, El Pichon is the son of Pedro Inzunza Noriega, "El Sagatario", high high-ranking member of the Beltran Leyva Organization. El Sagitario is a close collaborator of Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, "Chapo Isidro," and Oscar Manuel Iribe Gastelum, "El Musico," "El 23." 

SOURCE: LINEA DIRECTA PORTAL 

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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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Two young men were "kidnapped" in Guasave; they were children of searching mothers: Sinaloa

 CHAR 

INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY LUZ NOTICIAS 

The Guasave Trackers collective publicized the case on their social media platforms and asked for cooperation and the return of the young people.

WRITTEN BY: Ernesto Torres

06/07/25

Two young residents of the Guasave municipality were deprived of their liberty, and their whereabouts are currently unknown. The Guasave Trackers collective made the double kidnapping public, as both victims of the kidnapping are children of searching mothers, and they are demanding their release.

The searching mothers themselves, through their social media accounts, asked the public for information to help them locate them. They are also asking the authorities and those who have them for help in returning them alive.

It was reported that they were deprived of their liberty last Thursday, June 5, on a street in the El Burrión district of the aforementioned municipality.

The missing persons are Jesús Baltazar Gómez Salomón and Adriel Arturo Buitimea Ornelas. They were last seen Thursday night and have not heard anything about their whereabouts since.

The collective demands the release of both young men and also requests the public's support for any information that may help determine their whereabouts. Please call 687 121 9898.

The disappearance occurred almost 48 hours ago, and it was on the morning of Saturday, June 7, when the Rastreadoras de Guasave collective went to the State Attorney General's Office to file the corresponding complaint with the Public Ministry, requesting their search and location with the support of the State Commission for the Search for Missing Persons.

SOURCE: LUZ NOTICIAS 

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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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