Omar Félix Loaiza, known as "El Pelón" or "El 8", was captured in Sinaloa, where he was identified as the main generator of violence in Sonora and alleged leader of Los Deltas, a criminal group involved in the murder of former U.S. Marine Nicholas Douglas on October 18. This homicide occurred at a narco checkpoint north of Sonora. Coinciding with the news of "El Pelón"'s arrest, a reward was revealed for Eleazar Pulido Landeros and Antonio Beltrán Quiroz, alleged accomplices in the murder.
The crime against Nicholas Douglas occurred when Los Deltas hitmen spotted his vehicle with Arizona plates in the Altar-Pitiquito region. After ignoring the criminals' signals, Douglas's vehicle was intercepted at a gas station on the way to Puerto Peñasco. The hitmen blocked his way and executed him. Initially, it was kept secret that the victim was a foreigner, later identifying him as a citizen of Tucson, Arizona, on vacation in Sonora.
Omar Félix Loaiza was involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and arms trafficking, as well as in the production of fentanyl destined for Arizona. He mainly operated in Sinaloa and Sonora, with the latter being his base of operations. He maintained an alliance with Eric Jesús Cabrera Cabrera, leader of Los Deltas, which sparked confrontations in Sonora, especially after the capture of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada.
During 2024, "El 8" was active in Sonora, although after surviving an assassination attempt in Sonoyta, he returned to Sinaloa, possibly due to the conflict between Los Chapitos and Los Mayos. He is attributed the use of advanced technology, such as drones with explosives, planning violent actions for the future. His arrest is related to the recent wave of violence in Sinaloa, Sonora, and Baja California.
