Los Ciclones is a splinter group from Los Escorpiones, the armed wing of the Gulf Cartel. This criminal group, based in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, has been identified as one of the possible responsible parties for the violence in the state. Its organizational structure resembles that of a cartel, and its area of influence is binational, operating illegally in both Tamaulipas and Brownsville, Texas.
The Los Ciclones faction mainly operates in the municipalities of Río Bravo and Matamoros, Tamaulipas. This region, located in northern Mexico, is a common scene of violent acts linked to organized crime and is considered a strategic point for various illicit traffics. The Gulf Cartel, acting in this area, houses various groups competing for control over crucial territories for drug and migrant trafficking.
On Tuesday, October 29, in Tamaulipas, authorities arrested Roy James, known as 'El Marino,' the alleged leader of Los Ciclones. The capture took place during a joint operation in Ciudad Victoria, involving the Army, the National Guard, elements of the Specialized Attorney's Office for organized crime, the criminal investigation agency, and the National Intelligence Center. During the operation, a search was conducted at the Hacienda de El Bosque, where 'El Marino' was apprehended along with a woman.
Roy James was seized with military-exclusive weapons, explosive cartridges, and drugs during his arrest. This coordinated action among different security forces demonstrates the efforts to combat the influence of criminal groups like Los Ciclones in the region.