Marcelino Ticante Castro, known as "The Ghost" and former head of security for Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, was brought to trial for the offenses of carrying firearms, possession of cartridges and magazines exclusively for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. His arrest occurred a few days after he was released from prison after serving an 11-year sentence.
The Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime obtained the linkage to process for "The Ghost" and three other individuals who were with him at the time of his detention. During an operation in Culiacán, Sinaloa, two armed men were discovered getting into a van in Campo El Diez. After a chase, the detention of the four individuals was accomplished, all of whom were carrying firearms.
In the initial hearing, the Public Ministry presented compelling evidence that led the judge to order the linkage to process and to mandate preventive detention in the Aguaruto Penitentiary Center in Sinaloa while the investigation is completed. Among the seized weapons and equipment were eight rifles, two machine guns, thousands of cartridges, magazines, and ballistic vests for exclusive use.
The early release of "The Ghost" was due to the fact that the Prosecutor's Office did not challenge his freedom and to certain permissions provided for in the National Code of Criminal Procedure. Although he had only a few months left to serve his sentence, he was released in July of this year. It is noteworthy that this decision was explained by the Execution of Sentences Judge, Diana Monserrat Partida Arámbulo, during a morning conference.
