Omar Garcia Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) of Mexico, stated in a press conference that the arrest of “El Limones”, a criminal leader in the state of Durango, represented a “direct blow” to the cell's structure The criminal organization known as “Los Cabrera,” dedicated to extorting merchants and ranchers, and allegedly linked to the Sinaloa cartel. The capture of Edgar “N,” alias “El Limones,” identified as the group's regional leader and financial operator in the northern part of the country, impacts both the operational structure and the finances of the criminal organization, stated Garcia Harfuch, who, without revealing specific names, detailed that the accounts of three companies with different business lines were also identified and blocked, which presented irregular financial patterns. These companies showed characteristics of shell companies, as well as operations designed to simulate payroll payments, the purchase and sale of luxury vehicles, cash payments, and fragmented transfers, without any identifiable real economic activity being proven. During the press conference, the official explained that “Los Cabrera” operates mainly in Durango, Coahuila, and Chihuahua, where for years they have systematically extorted producers. business owners and farmers.

“This is a group that collected illegal fees and even pressured people for the use of water wells. These actions reduce their capacity for violence and their ability to operate,” he stated.

Garcia Harfuch explained that Edgar “N” remains in pretrial detention, by order of the Attorney General's Office (FGR), and is initially being investigated for crimes related to weapons and drug trafficking.

However, he announced that the FGR, headed by Ernestina Godoy, is about to obtain new arrest warrants for aggravated extortion, kidnapping, money laundering, credit card cloning, fraud, and forced disappearance. In addition, there is already an arrest warrant for aggravated extortion issued by the Coahuila Attorney General's Office.

Financial Network Under Scrutiny

As part of the operation, authorities carried out raids on five properties located in Durango and Coahuila, where weapons and drugs were seized, and five more people were arrested, identified as Guillermo “N”, Alexis Mauricio “N”, Angel Rodrigo “N”, Juan Jose “N”, and Jose Jean Carlo “N”. These actions, the secretary emphasized, are part of a broader investigation that is still ongoing.

A key aspect of the case was tracing the money.

The Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) of the Ministry of Finance blocked several accounts belonging to the inner circle of “El Limones” after detecting unusual financial transactions related to extortion and fraud. According to Garcia Harfuch, this money laundering scheme was the economic foundation that allowed the criminal cell to sustain its activities in the La Laguna region, which encompasses municipalities in Durango and Coahuila. The Secretary clarified that the investigation began based on specific complaints and not due to political or union ties. When questioned about reports suggesting a possible relationship between the detainee and the ruling party congressman Pedro Haces, he was emphatic: “At the moment, there is no evidence.” He added that the investigations are recent and will continue, with updates as the processes advance.

Priority in dismantling “Los Cabrera”

The capture of “El Limones” was announced on December 10, when Garcia Harfuch himself reported on social media that the detainee was being investigated for extorting merchants and ranchers, as well as managing the finances of the criminal group. With support from the National Intelligence Center (CNI), evidence was presented to a judge who authorized the search of properties and the coordinated operations.

The official confirmed that the action is part of the National Strategy against Extortion, instructed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, and involved the participation of the Navy, the Ministry of National Defense, the Attorney General's Office (FGR), and the Criminal Investigation Agency. In the La Laguna region, this strategy has already resulted in 19 additional arrests, though no further details have been released. The operation comes amid a rise in extortion, which increased by 23.1% between September 2024 and November 2025, according to preliminary figures from the Security Cabinet. During the same period, the government reported 38,700 arrests for high-impact crimes and the seizure of 311 tons of drugs. “The priority is to completely dismantle Los Cabrera,” Garcia Harfuch insisted. “The investigations remain open, and any findings will be reported transparently.”