Salu Francisco Hernández Tenorio, known as ‘El Ponchis’ or ‘The Ghost’, a plaza leader of the criminal group ‘Los Salazar’, belonging to the Sinaloa Cartel, escaped on Monday from the Social Rehabilitation Center (Cereso) Hermosillo Uno, in Sonora, as state authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
Authorities had identified ‘El Ponchis’ as a priority target for generating violence and was in prison awaiting trial for serious offenses such as premeditated homicide, treachery, and organized crime. It is noteworthy that he was detained in a facility that is not maximum security.
The Secretary of Public Security of Sonora, Víctor Hugo Enríquez García, reported that the escape of the criminal group leader was discovered during the night roll call on Monday, May 5, at the Cereso Hermosillo Uno. Security protocols were immediately activated, and the State Attorney General's Office was notified, which has already begun a thorough investigation regarding this matter.
Regarding the recapture of Salu Francisco, authorities have deployed operations that include road checks, bus terminals, and airports across the country. It is worth mentioning that the fugitive, who also goes by Jorge Hernández Robledo, is being intensely sought.
‘El Ponchis’ is identified as the leader of ‘Los Fantasmas’, an armed cell within ‘Los Salazar’, which acts as the operational arm of the Sinaloa Cartel. According to official reports, this individual directed operations in several municipalities in northern Sonora, strategic areas due to their proximity to the United States border.
One of the criminal actions attributed to his group was an ambush on a military and police convoy on October 31, 2023, between Altar and Oquitoa, which resulted in several agents being injured. It is important to highlight that authorities warned that any complicity, negligence, or cover-up in his escape will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
The capture of Salu Francisco on March 25 had been a success announced by authorities, who considered him a priority target. The State Attorney General's Office offered up to 500,000 pesos for information leading to his location.
