Four men were detained in Culiacán in an investigation into an alleged weapons-trafficking network linked to Los Chapitos, with authorities seizing firearms, ammunition and drugs.
Mexican authorities announced the arrest of four men in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in an investigation involving an alleged weapons-trafficking cell linked to the Sinaloa Cartel faction known as Los Chapitos.
Among those detained were Germán González Monjaraz and Mario Alberto Gaspar Martínez, known as “Pokémon.” La Jornada reported that both had outstanding arrest warrants related to alleged organized crime and weapons trafficking.
According to the federal Security Cabinet, investigators identified properties associated with the alleged network through intelligence work and information exchanged with Homeland Security Investigations, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agency. Federal and state personnel subsequently carried out the operation in Culiacán.
Authorities reported seizing one machine gun, three handguns, 16 magazines, 417 rounds of ammunition, 200 doses of drugs and a vehicle. The alleged cell was described as handling the trafficking, transportation, maintenance and repair of weapons for the criminal faction.
The arrests could provide investigators with information about the logistics supporting the faction’s access to weapons. However, the extent of the network, the individual roles of all four detainees and the evidence that may ultimately be presented in court remain matters for further verification.
