Federal authorities arrested in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Gabriel Nicolás Martínez Larios, alias “El Gabito” or “El 80”, identified as one of the main operators of the Los Chapitos faction in the south of the state.

The capture was confirmed by the Security Cabinet as part of the operations deployed in the entity to weaken the criminal structure linked to the Sinaloa Cartel.

According to official reports, the detainee is considered a generator of violence with a presence in municipalities such as Concordia, Rosario, Escuinapa and San Ignacio.

In addition to his alleged participation in drug trafficking activities and armed operations for Los Chapitos, “El Gabito” is investigated for his possible relationship with the disappearance and homicide of mining workers that occurred earlier this year in the municipality of Concordia.

Federal authorities link him to the case that led to the discovery of several bodies and that caused a widespread mobilization of security forces in the region.

According to information released by local media, Martínez Larios was identified as one of the trusted men of the faction headed by the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and maintained operational influence in the south of the state.

His name even appeared in narcocorridos and intelligence reports related to the internal dispute facing the Sinaloa Cartel.

El Sol de Sinaloa points out that “El Gabito” was identified as one of the main operators of Los Chapitos in the area and that his figure gained notoriety in recent years for his alleged participation in confrontations and criminal activities linked to the criminal group.

The arrest occurs in the midst of the federal strategy to contain violence in Sinaloa and represents one of the most relevant blows against the operational structure of Los Chapitos in recent weeks.