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Topics: News, US News, Crime, Gun Crime, World News
Gerrard Kaonga
Mexican military was successfully able to capture cartel member, Nestor Salas, following multiple indictments against him.
Nestor Salas, full name Nestor Isidro Perez Salas and known as “El Nini, is believed to be the chief of security for the 'Chapitos' wing of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel.
He was apprehended on Wednesday by the Mexican military and US President Joe Biden has thanked his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, for his efforts the following day.
Salas has been considered one of the most brutal criminals wanted by both the US and Mexico.
His accused crimes include fentanyl trafficking and allegedly feeding rival cartel members to tigers, 'dead or alive'.
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In February 2021, a federal grand jury in Washington, DC, returned an indictment against Nestor Salas. The charges included cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices and witness retaliation.
In April of the same year, a New York grand jury returned a second indictment against the alleged cartel member.
He had been accused of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, fentanyl importation conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and multiple other crimes.
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The New York indictment described Salas as 'a particularly violent group of security personnel for the Chapitos', and the State Department had offered a $3 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Salas’ indictments also highlighted the accusations against him that he had 'fed his victims to tigers'.
Salas and his conspirators would take their targets of interrogation or kidnapping to Sinaloa ranch belonging to Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar – a Chapitos leader and son of incarcerated Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman, according to the indictment. It is at this property the tigers were being raised as pets.
The indictment has claimed it is here where victims, that were not shot, 'were fed dead or alive to the tigers'.
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The US Justice department is currently seeking to have Salas extradited to the country so he can face justice in America for his alleged crimes.
In his statement, President Biden insisted this arrest was a step forward regarding Mexico and the US’s goal of tackling organized criminal activity.
“These arrests are testament to the commitment between the United States and Mexico to secure our communities against violence, counter the cartels, and end the scourge of illicit fentanyl that is hurting so many families,” the statement said.
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“We will continue working as strong partners to do everything possible to hold criminals accountable for jeopardizing public health and safety in our two countries. Nothing is beyond our reach when Mexico and the United States stand together."