The capture of Ricardo Ozuna Tirado, alias “El Tío”, identified by Mexican authorities as a financial operator and one of the main leaders of a cell linked to “Los Chapitos”, represents one of the most recent blows against that faction of the Sinaloa Cartel in the midst of the criminal dispute that maintains high levels of violence in the state.

The Mexican Security Cabinet reported this Monday that the arrest occurred in the port of Mazatlán during a joint operation led by elements of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), the Attorney General's Office (FGR) and the National Intelligence Center (CNI).

Along with Ozuna Tirado, five other people identified as alleged members of the same criminal structure were arrested: Alejandro Coronel Reyes Jr., of American nationality; Marcelo Eduardo Mendoza Ramírez; José Manuel Félix Covarrubias; Jano Alonso López Ruiz, and José Manuel Sosa Carrasco.

Operation derived from intelligence work

According to official information, federal forces carried out intelligence and investigation work that allowed them to locate two properties in Mazatlán allegedly used for illicit activities.

After establishing a security fence, the agents carried out the operation that concluded with the capture of the six suspects without the authorities reporting any confrontations.

During the action, two firearms, chargers, cartridges, various doses of drugs, approximately $100,000 in cash, cell phones, computer equipment, two vehicles and two properties were also seized, which were placed under ministerial custody.

The authorities indicated that Ricardo Ozuna Tirado, 49, was considered one of the main financial operators of a “Los Chapitos” cell with a presence in the municipality of La Cruz de Elota, in Sinaloa. The detainees were informed of their rights and placed at the disposal of the Federal Public Ministry, which will determine their legal situation as the investigation progresses.

Blow to one of the most powerful factions of the Sinaloa Cartel

The arrest occurs in a context of clashes between “Los Chapitos” and “Los Mayos”, the two main factions that emerged from the Sinaloa Cartel, a conflict that has caused thousands of homicides, disappearances and population displacements in that entity in recent months.

Mexican authorities maintain that the operations seek to dismantle the financial and operational structures of criminal groups considered generators of violence.

Various reports also identify Ozuna Tirado as a target of interest to US authorities due to his alleged role within the criminal organization. In recent months, security forces have made several arrests of alleged “Los Chapitos” operators in southern Sinaloa, as part of a strategy focused on weakening the command and financing structure of that organization.

In a message released after the operation, the SSPC stated that federal institutions maintain coordinated actions to strengthen intelligence work, arrest generators of violence and dismantle criminal organizations that operate in different regions of the country.

Investigations continue to determine the degree of participation of the detainees and establish whether there are other members of the criminal cell who remain active in Sinaloa.