CDN tries to shoot down a military helicopter in Nuevo León; 5 sicarios killed

Suspected gunmen of the Northeast Cartel (CDN) clashed with the Mexican military last weekend at a ranch in Doctor Cross, a municipality in Nuevo León that borders Tamaulipas. At least five sicarios were killed. The clash took place 2 km (1.2 mi) away from Camargo municipality, where 19 people were killed last month.

The shootout started when a military helicopter noticed that there was a suspected ‘narco-camp’ in the area. As they approached the area the soldiers were shot by CDN gunmen using Barret rifles and AK-47s. The helicopter evaded the attacks and called for ground reinforcements. A military convoy arrived at the scene minutes later and was attacked by the CDN upon arrival. However, the soldiers were able to neutralize the attack and kill five gang members.

Last November, CDN members killed the Doctor Coss police chief, Francisco Leonides Cruz, and two of his aides. Local reports said that the CDN used monstruos (literally “monsters”), a term used by cartels when referring to armored cartel vehicles, when they ambushed them.

Borderland Beat analysis

Doctor Coss is close to La Frontera Chica (also known as La Ribereña), a border region along Tamaulipas. In the context of the Mexican Drug War, it is a lucrative drug corridor currently under dispute by the CDN and the Metros faction of the Gulf Cartel (CDG). Doctor Coss is an important turf to control because it has highways that connect it to Reynosa, Miguel Aleman and Camargo, three border cities with legal ports of entry to the U.S.

The CDN, based in Nuevo Laredo, is trying to expand east into La Frontera Chica, which has historically been controlled by the CDG. Reports say that the CDN commanders in the area are Ricardo ‘Ricky’ Chapa and another individual simply known as ‘El Amarillo’. The CDG commander in the area is Cesar Morfin Morfin (‘El Primito’) and his brother Alvaro (‘R-8′). They are among the top ten most-wanted cartel figures in Tamaulipas, as reported by Borderland Beat.