United States President Joe Biden thanked his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for the arrest of Nestor Isidro Perez Salas, the alleged security boss of the Sinaloa drug cartel.
In the statement that was released on Thursday, Biden said that Salas was indicted by the U.S. for his roles in "perpetrating violence and illicit fentanyl trafficking" into the nation. He added that both countries are safer with him in jail and facing justice for his supposed crimes.
Mexico Arrests Cartel Security Chief
The individual is also known by his nickname "El Nini" and was the head of security for the Chapitos wing of the Sinaloa Cartel. The cartel was initially founded in 1987 by now-convicted drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
The arrest of the alleged cartel security chief follows the recent arrest and extradition of another Chapitos leader, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, earlier this year. Biden said that the developments were a testament to the commitment between the United States and Mexico in securing their communities, as per The Hill.
The Democratic leader said that the two nations are trying to protect their territories from violence and to counter the cartels as well as end the scourge of illicit fentanyl that is hurting many families.
The U.S. president said they would continue working as strong partners to hold criminals accountable for threatening public health and safety in the two nations. In September, one of El Chapo's sons, Guzman Lopez, pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering, and other charges.
He was arrested by Mexican law enforcement personnel in January and was indicted on U.S. charges three months later. El Chapo was convicted in 2019 of running an international drug empire and smuggling operation. He is serving a life sentence without parole inside a Colorado supermax prison.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said that shortly after the arrest of El Nini, he spoke with Mexican Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero to thank him for his extraordinary efforts. He added that they were continuing with efforts to have the cartel security chief extradited to the U.S. to face justice for his crimes, according to Reuters.
U.S. Seeks El Nini's Extradition
Salas was detained in Culiacan, the heartland of the Sinaloa Cartel, and was later taken to Mexico City. He allegedly led the "Ninis," which is a violent group of security personnel for the Guzman brothers, also known as "Los Chapitos."
U.S. investigators said that El Nini was one of the most feared hitmen for the Chapitos and he was responsible for kidnapping, torturing, and killing rival drug traffickers. At the time of his arrest, soldiers and members of the National Guard swooped down on the Colinas de Rivera neighborhood.
Local Mexican media outlets reported that the individual tried to flee law enforcement personnel by climbing onto the rooftop of a house. However, he seemingly gave up his attempts after shots were fired as a warning.
After his arrest, authorities deployed extra security in Culiacan to prevent any outbreaks of violence, including those that paralyzed the city after the first time that Lopez was arrested, said BBC.
