Authorities Arrest 'El Durango', High-Ranking Sinaloa Cartel Member in Sonora

“MX” for Borderland Beat

José Bibiano Cabrera Cabrera, alias “El Durango”, a suspected boss of Gente Nueva, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, was arrested in Altar, Sonora.

His arrest was carried out after an operation implemented by elements of the National Guard (GN) and personnel of the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Attorney General’s Office in Altar municipality. Immediately after his arrest, a Mexican Army helicopter transported the suspect to a law enforcement facility in Hermosillo municipality.

El Durango has been on the government’s radar for several months. But the operation to capture him intensified over the weekend when a group of armed men ambushed Mexican Army soldiers in Caborca. The attack left 9 dead, including two military men, as reported by Borderland Beat.

According to the investigations, El Durango also headed the “Grupo Delta” cell, which is reportedly led by people aligned to Los Chapitos, sons of Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán. El Durango was reportedly the right-hand man of Humberto Limón López, alias ‘Noveno’, ‘Chubeto’, and/or ‘El Cazador’.

Through an Instagram account, El Durango boasted weapons, golden handguns engraved with his alias, wads of US dollars and Mexican pesos, as well as tactical equipment. He sometimes posted messages and did live broadcasts taunting and threatening his rivals, as if he were a drug cartel “influencer”.

Borderland Beat analysis

In Sonora, Los Chapitos are competing against La Barredora 24/7, headed by Rodrigo Páez Quintero, nephew of old-school drug kingpin Rafael Caro Quintero. One of his main lieutenants is Jesús Darío Murrieta Navarro, alias “Cara de Cochi”. La Barredora 24/7 is linked to La Plaza and/or the Caborca ​​Cartel, which has presence across Sonora.

As reported by Borderland Beat, much of the violence in Sonora is driven by conflicts between several factions of the Sinaloa Cartel and local drug groups. This turf is a strategic location for drug trafficking given its proximity to the US state of Arizona. Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel operates there with the support of Los Salazar faction. They are said to be competing with La Plaza and/or the Caborca Cartel.

Local reports have mentioned that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) may be working with Caro Quintero to fight the Sinaloa Cartel.

Other groups have been reported in the area, including a gang known as Los Jabalies and/or Los Jabalis, formed by the Villagrana family, and Los Memos, headed by Adelmo Niebla González and/or Guillermo Nieblas Nava (‘El G3′).

Sources: Excelsior; Noticias en la Mira; Tribuna; DRV Noticias; Quadratin; Eje Central; Infobae; NarcoStudios 701 (Images)