José Ramón Laija Serrano, known as “El Colo,” was one of the most wanted drug trafficking operatives in western Mexico and a regional boss (*jefe de plaza*) in Nayarit during the 1990s and early 2000s. Throughout his criminal career, he served as a lieutenant and operative for kingpins such as Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, Héctor “El Güero” Palma Salazar, and Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, holding key positions within the Pacific Cartel—also known as the Sinaloa Cartel.
His name re-entered public discourse this Thursday after journalist Javier Ceriani published photographs of his 2003 arrest, further highlighting his alleged connection to two of the most popular artists in today’s regional Mexican music scene: Tito Double P and Peso Pluma.
During the 1980s, El Colo began his criminal career as a hitman and trusted operative for Félix Gallardo. Later, alongside his brothers, he joined the ranks of the Sinaloa Cartel, where he served as a lieutenant under the command of Joaquín Guzmán Loera, “El Chapo,” and Héctor Luis “El Güero” Palma Salazar.
