Who is “El 40”, criminal leader of the Sinaloa Cartel who escaped from a military operation in Durango
"El 40" is an important operator of the Los Mayo faction, and managed to escape along with several of his collaborators through an alternate exit from a ranch.
Leonel García, alias “El 40”, identified as an alleged operator of the Los Mayos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel and leader of the criminal group known as Los Cabrera, managed to escape from an operation carried out in the state of Durango, which led to a wide search deployment by land and air.
According to reports spread by media such as the weekly Proceso, elements of the Mexican Army and the National Guard carried out an operation in a ranch located in the town of Casa Blanca, on the Durango-Parral highway, with the aim of capturing the alleged criminal leader.
However, the target managed to escape along with several of his collaborators through an alternate exit from the building.
During the intervention, six people were arrested, including a man identified as a close collaborator of “El 40.” In addition, the authorities seized high-powered weapons, cash, vehicles—some with handmade armor—, grenades, communication radios and a motorcycle.
After the escape, federal forces deployed helicopters and ground patrols in different parts of Durango and nearby communities to try to locate the alleged criminal operator. Clashes with armed civilians and acts of resistance by residents of the area were also reported during the development of the operation.
According to official reports, Leonel “G” is around 45 years old and is considered a second-level operator within the structure linked to the Sinaloa Cartel.
The authorities identify him as one of the main leaders of Los Cabrera, a criminal organization with a presence in Durango and Chihuahua that maintains ties with the Los Mayo faction.
The Cabrera Sarabia emerged in the Sierra de Durango and over the years they consolidated themselves as allies of the Sinaloa Cartel, especially in the region of the so-called Golden Triangle, a strategic area for drug trafficking activities.
In recent years, the group has been identified as an ally of the faction historically led by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
The mobilization to locate “El 40” is part of a series of federal actions against criminal structures with a presence in Durango, where security operations continue to find his whereabouts.