Arrested Alleged Security Chief for Sinaloa Cartel’s “Chapitos” Wing, Nestor Isidro Pérez Salas, Known as “El Nini”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Mexico City – On Wednesday, Mexico’s National Guard officers made a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug cartels by arresting Nestor Isidro Pérez Salas, the alleged security chief for the notorious “Chapitos” wing of the Sinaloa drug cartel. Pérez Salas, also known as “El Nini,” was apprehended at approximately 1:30 p.m. at a secure property in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state, according to the Public Safety Department’s arrest registry.

The capture of Pérez Salas comes after the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a $3 million reward for his arrest in April. He is facing charges in the US for conspiracy to import and distribute fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths in the United States. However, his reign of terror extended far beyond drug trafficking, as he is also allegedly involved in numerous cases of murder and torture in Mexico.

Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the DEA, described Pérez Salas as a “complete psychopath” and emphasized the positive impact his capture will have on Mexico. Pérez Salas was responsible for providing protection to the sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, as well as aiding their drug business. The sons, who lead the “Chapitos” faction of the cartel, have gained notoriety for their role in exporting fentanyl to the lucrative US market.

Fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, has been linked to approximately 70,000 overdose deaths in the United States each year. The arrest of Pérez Salas sheds light on the Sinaloa cartel’s extensive involvement in the production and distribution of this dangerous drug. According to prosecutors in the Southern District of New York, Pérez Salas served as the security chief for the Chapitos in Sinaloa state. He was among the nearly two dozen defendants named earlier this year in an indictment.

Pérez Salas commanded a ruthless security team known as the Ninis, who received military-style training in various combat techniques, including urban warfare, special weapons and tactics, and sniper proficiency. The nickname “Nini” refers to a Mexican slang term that describes young individuals who neither work nor study. The Ninis, under the leadership of Pérez Salas and Jorge Figueroa Benitez, were responsible for carrying out gruesome acts of violence.

The indictment against Pérez Salas and his associates revealed horrifying details of their criminal activities. The Ninis would often bring captured rivals to ranches owned by the Chapitos for execution. In some instances, victims were fed to tigers, which were kept as pets by the Chapitos. The Ninis also engaged in human testing, subjecting kidnapped rivals or addicts to lethal doses of fentanyl until they overdosed.

The Sinaloa cartel’s fentanyl production process varies in terms of potency, and despite the dangers associated with their products, they continued to distribute them to the US market. The cartel’s leadership used to exercise a certain level of restraint when Guzmán and Zambada were in control. However, with Guzmán serving a life sentence and Zambada facing health issues, the Chapitos have become increasingly ruthless and violent.

Interestingly, Pérez Salas’ arrest occurred just days after Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador met with US President Joe Biden in San Francisco. This pattern of major arrests coinciding with meetings involving President Biden has raised questions about their timing. In January, Ovidio Guzman López, one of the Chapitos, was arrested just days before López Obrador and Biden’s meeting in Mexico City. Ovidio Guzman was later extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking and weapons charges, while his father, El Chapo, is serving a life sentence in the US.

Mike Vigil suggested that these arrests may be more than mere coincidence and speculated that López Obrador might be attempting to demonstrate goodwill in his final months as president. López Obrador’s term ends in September, and these high-profile arrests could be seen as part of his administration’s efforts to combat drug cartels and strengthen ties with the US.

The arrest of Pérez Salas represents a significant blow to the Chapitos’ criminal network, which has been responsible for spreading violence and drugs across Mexico and the United States. It is hoped that this operation will not only disrupt their operations but also serve as a deterrent to other criminal organizations involved in the illegal drug trade. The collaboration between Mexican and US authorities continues to be crucial in the fight against drug cartels and the eradication of the devastating impact of fentanyl on communities..