Sinaloa Governor Rocha Reports 10 Killed in the Past Week Related to Aftermath of "El Mayo" Kidnapping
”Socalj” for Borderland Beat
Recent Killings in Sinaloa
“The investigation is still ongoing. Two people were murdered [apparently linked to Zambada]. The investigation is also being carried out by the Attorney General’s Office and we hope that the situation in Sinaloa does not get worse.”
![]() |
![]() |
Martin worked under his brother, a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel named Leobardo Garcia Corrales. Don Leoba was described by the US government as a key operator for Ivan and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, who liked to brag about his closeness with the leaders of Los Chapitos. The current whereabouts or status of Leobardo Garcia Corrales are unknown as are the identities of the other two men found with Martin.
![]() |
Later that day, the lifeless bodies of two more men shot to death were found near a stream located in the Montesierra neighborhood, in the northern section of Culiacán. Police reports indicate that the victims’ hands were tied and half-covered with stones.
![]() |
“El Mayo” Linked Murders Before July 25
![]() |
Eliseo “Cheyo Antrax” Imperial Castro was shot and killed while driving his Chevrolet Canyon truck on May 30
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Rafael “El Peinadito” Lazcano Rosales was killed on June 4 at his father’s car dealership. An Audi parked in front of the Mega Autos El Peinado business, south of the city of Culiacán, several men got out and entered the offices of Rafael Lazcano Rosales, better known as “El Peinadito,” seconds later they were heard arguing and a man ran out, his attackers caught up with him and shot him on the sidewalk of Calzada Heroico Colegio Militar.
Finally, there is Hector Melesio Cuen Ojeda, although he was killed on the same day that El Mayo Zambada was captured. A letter attributed to the latter implicates Cuen in the meeting that resulted in the kidnapping and US arrest of El Mayo. In the letter from the Sinaloa Cartel drug boss, he claims Hector Cuen was killed at the meeting, not during the attempted carjacking at a gas station that evening as the Sinaloa prosecutor alleges it occurred based on the testimony of Fausto Corrales who drove the body of Hector Cuen to the hospital.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Sinaloa’s Attorney General recently resigned over poor investigations into the kidnapping events and death of Hector Cuen. |
Will There Be War in Culiacan?
Anabel Hernández released the audio of an alleged conversation between hitmen from the Sinaloa Cartel who claim that Ismael “El Mayito Flaco” Zambada Sicairos is looking for allies to avenge Los Chapitos’ betrayal of his father.
Jesus Lemus points out that the Zambada Garcia family did not have the money to face an internal war within the Sinaloa Cartel ; criminal sources from Jose de Cordova confirmed that both factions are recruiting weapons and ‘soldiers’ for the coming war.
Academic and researcher Edgardo Buscaglia told this media that it is possible that due to the size of the Sinaloa Cartel’s criminal structure, we may already be in the midst of “surgical violence to eliminate the members who are hindering Los Chapitos.”
![]() |
It is not clear why El Mayito Flaco has not reacted directly to Los Chapitos’ alleged betrayal. However, sources who spoke to InSight Crime believe it could be an attempt to keep a low profile and avoid attracting government attention, or because he does not yet have the resources to take on the Chapitos, who have amassed a large number of gunmen in their ranks over the years.
Regardless of the reason, the dividing lines between the two factions — historically linked by ties of marriage and close friendship known as compadrazgo — are becoming more pronounced, according to sources. This has turned “border” communities, such as La Loma, into points of high tension.
“There are no words for what the Chapitos did,” said one methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficker in a town outside Culiacán, also close to the dividing line, who spoke to InSight Crime on condition of anonymity. “Of course a lot of us are angry.”
The divisions could even be replicated in the prison system. One person who worked independently in fentanyl production in Sinaloa and is currently held in Aguaruto Prison in Culiacán told InSight Crime that choosing sides between the two criminal groups has become more important for those behind bars.
“There’s a lot of fear and panic with the new rules that [El Mayito Flaco] might put in place,” he said.
For some, these measures have been drastic. One man who oversees several clandestine laboratories and has worked with both the Chapitos and the Mayiza, spoke to InSight Crime on condition of anonymity and said the current situation forced him to leave Sinaloa indefinitely.
“Right now I can’t go back. I have to wait for things to stabilize,” he said during a telephone interview. His main concern is that he has collaborated closely with both sides, which puts him in a delicate situation should a war break out.
The methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficker on the outskirts of Culiacán added that he also knows several people who have left Sinaloa for similar reasons.
Governor’s Call for Peace
During his weekly press conference, he indicated that everyone, including the very generators of violence, should be asked not to affect the tranquility of the people of Sinaloa.
![]() |
US Agreements With Los Chapitos
In response to reports that Sinaloa Cartel operators are negotiating their surrender to the United States to obtain a favorable ruling, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said he agreed with this practice, noting that each country has its own procedures.
“It is a practice that the United States government has, they negotiate with defendants, who are under investigation, or are already detained before being sentenced, to obtain resources or information, more information, they are called protected witnesses, it is a practice that the US government has and in this case it is not strange,” the president stressed at the morning press conference this Monday.
He added that the US government itself announced that they had been maintaining relations for an agreement with Joaquín Guzmán López, which was what they reported when Ismael Zambada was arrested.
After postponing the initial hearing 12 times and evading an arrest warrant, the former director of Goods and Supplies of the UAS, Héctor Melesio Cuen Díaz, was brought to trial for alleged payments to a restaurant owned by his family with university funds.
This is the fourth criminal case facing the son of Héctor Melesio Cuen Ojeda, as he is also involved in the multimillion-dollar purchases of beef and chicken, tortillas and the contracting of rehabilitation works without bidding, and three other proceedings are pending.
Cuen Díaz was summoned for the first time for illegal negotiations in October 2023, but the hearing could not be held until last week, because it was postponed with arguments that he was sick or changing lawyers.
In June of this year, a judge issued an arrest warrant for him to be brought to court by force and he has been a fugitive ever since. Last week, the former UAS official voluntarily appeared at the Central Region Criminal Justice Center with a suspension to avoid arrest and requested to hold the initial hearing.
![]() |
Former Tabasco Governor Alleges Cartel Corruption
“How much of an undercurrent is there behind the problem that the López Obrador government has with the delivery of Mayo Zambada and his letter? Every day that passes, they do more stupid things and risk everything to avoid what is obvious, the complicity and association they had with the Sinaloa Cartel,” said the former governor of Tabasco.
The former Tabasco governor pointed out that these links can be seen reflected in the statements made by the Sinaloa governor himself. In September 2021 (when he was governor-elect), Rocha Moya indicated in an interview with Salvador García Soto that the “approval” of the drug traffickers was needed to govern Sinaloa.
Andrade Díaz also said that it is not credible that Rocha Moya traveled with his family to the United States on the same day that Hector Melesio Cuen was murdered and ‘El Mayo’ Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez were arrested.
On the morning of August 20, three legislators from the National Action Party (PAN) filed a criminal complaint against the governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya , and former prosecutor Sara Bruna Quiñónez, arising from irregularities in the investigations into the murder of Héctor Melesio Cuén Ojeda and the arrest of Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada.
Sources Quadrin Sinaloa, Infobae, Infobae, Infobae, Borderland Beat, Riodoce, Riodoce, Infobae, Riodoce, El Financiero, InSight Crime
Source: https://www.borderlandbeat.com/2024/08/sinaloa-governor-rocha-reports-10.html
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom Nootropic
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, But it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity.
Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins.
Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system.
Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome.
Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function.
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
![Report abuse](/img/report_abuse.png)