The government of Mexico, led by Claudia Sheinbaum, has achieved a new milestone in its fight against drug trafficking by capturing two major criminals, Roberto Salazar Toledo, alias 'El Gordo Jr.', and Leonel Salas Fabela, known as 'El Sobrino'. These arrests are part of efforts to reduce drug trafficking to the United States, particularly fentanyl, with the goal of avoiding the imposition of a 25% tariff on Mexican products by the Donald Trump administration.
Leonel Salas Fabela, alias 'El Sobrino', was arrested in Los Ángeles, Durango, and is identified as a member of 'Los Cabrera', a criminal group linked to the Pacific Cartel. He was listed among the 10 most wanted criminals in Chihuahua and Texas, with a significant role in coordinating drug sales in the border area. Following his capture, he is expected to face extradition proceedings to the United States.
On the other hand, the arrest of Roberto Salazar Toledo, known as 'El Gordo Jr.', took place in Paraíso de Cuernavaca, Morelos. Salazar Toledo was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service for charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances such as crack, methamphetamines, cocaine, and heroin. He is also accused of the murder of an assistant to a police officer in the United States, being considered extremely dangerous.
In addition to his involvement in drug and human trafficking in the Juárez Valley, 'El Gordo Jr.' faces a warrant for aggravated kidnapping. During his arrest, four doses of marijuana and several bags of pills were seized. Along with the capture of 'El Sobrino', two more individuals were arrested, Alicia Sarahí Olivas Simental and Tereso de Jesús Rocha Puentes.
These actions are part of the joint strategy of Mexico and the United States to dismantle Mexican cartels, which have been identified as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government.
