Mexican authorities arrested Nestor Isidro Perez Salas, considered to be the head of security for top cartel 'Los Chapitos' and sought for extradition to the U.S.
Known as 'El Nini,' Salas was arrested on Wednesday afternoon by national security forces in Culiacan. There was a $3 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction, as he stands charged with "conspiracy to import and distribute fentanyl into the U.S."
"He and his security forces murdered, tortured and kidnapped rivals, witnesses, and others who opposed the Chapitos," U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement Thursday following the arrest.
Moreover, President Joe Biden publicly recognized the detention, praising Mexican authorities and cooperation between both countries for the result: "Both our countries are safer with him behind bars and facing justice for his crimes," Biden said.
The 'Chapitos' cartel is considered to be the successor of the Sinaloa cartel ran by Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, who is currently serving a life sentence in Colorado for his role in it.
Guzman's sons stand accused of leading the ensuing cartel and playing a key role in the trafficking of fentanyl across the U.S. southern border. One of them, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, was arrested
for the second time this year and extradited to the U.S. in September after being indicted in April. The U.S. government holds him primarily responsible for the rise in overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl.
According to an InSight Crime report, there has been a cessation of fentanyl production and trafficking by the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel in Sinaloa.
However, the arrests take place following a notable increase in illicit fentanyl seizures along the US-Mexico border during the 2023 fiscal year, totaling 12,119 kilograms (26,718 pounds), an almost 90% surge compared to the 6,397 kilograms (14,104 pounds) seized in the previous fiscal year.
In 2022, opioids, primarily illicit fentanyl, contributed to approximately 75% of the 110,000 recorded overdose deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Illicit fentanyl from Mexico is commonly used in counterfeit M30 Oxycodone pills, known as "blues." A CDC report from September 2023 revealed that illicit fentanyl was the sole drug found in 41.4% of US drug overdose deaths involving counterfeit pills between mid-2019 and late-2021.
Illicit fentanyl from Mexico is commonly used in counterfeit M30 Oxycodone pills, known as "blues." A CDC report from September 2023 revealed that illicit fentanyl was the sole drug found in 41.4% of US drug overdose deaths involving counterfeit pills between mid-2019 and late-2021.
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