TheOtherJGL Chapter 3: The Return To Culiacán

mica for cartelinsider.com

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Chapter 3: The Return To Culiacán

The Return To Culiacán

In early April 2008, 'El Chapito,' Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, was finally free. After serving 70% of his sentence, he returned to the capital of Sinaloa, Culiacán, ready to reunite with his family and reclaim his place in the drug business. His time in prison had only fueled his ambitions.

Alfredo Beltrán Leyva

On January 21, 2008, Soldiers detained Alfredo Beltrán Leyva, known as 'El Mochomo,' in a plush area of Culiacán, along with three others. The quartet was carrying around $900,000 in cash, an assault rifle, a luxury SUV, and 11 expensive watches. Despite his wealth, 'El Botas Blancas' had failed to realize it was time to flee. He and his brothers were crucial players in Guzmán's criminal organization.

Alfredo Beltrán Leyva

Arturo Beltrán Leyva, 'El Barbas,' took over the reins after the cartel's split. However, his reign was cut short; he only survived until December 2009. This abrupt end highlighted his brothers' significant contributions to the Beltrán Leyva family. 'El Barbas,' the 'El Jefe de Jefes,' indulged in the excessive pleasures of cocaine, alcohol, live music, and the company of high-dollar call girls. His once trusted captain, 'La Barbie,' betrayed him, providing the government with his location.

Arturo Beltrán Leyva

El Jefe de Jefes

'El Chapito' served his time during the subsequent turmoil sparked by Mochomo's arrest. The cartel members pointed their fingers at 'El Chapo' for this turn of events. This blame game persisted unyielding and steadfast. I wouldn't be surprised if 'La Barbie' gave up Alfredo. He had more to gain, a proven track record, or turning over on the Beltran brothers. 

 Édgar Guzmán López

The Retaliation

May 9 in Culiacán marked a tragic day. An ambush by at least 20 men claimed the life of Édgar Guzmán López, son of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán Loera. Local police and the Attorney General's Office confirmed using AK-47 rifles over 500 shell casings and multiple bazooka rounds. The assault was swiftly attributed to the Beltrán Leyva Organization (BLO), and Culiacán braced itself for the inevitable fallout.

The onslaught claimed two more lives: Arturo Meza Cázares, son of the Empress of Narco, and César Ariel Loera, López's cousin. 'El Chapo' held a grand memorial for his son, buying all the roses in Culiacán, a tribute that drained the city's supply right before Mother's Day.

Moreno the Protector

The sudden loss of Édgar sent shockwaves through the López family, particularly for Joaquín López, the middle brother. Despite 'El Chapo' Guzmán's generous gifts, his absence as a father was deeply felt. To Joaquín, Édgar was more than a brother - he was a guide, a protector, and the closest thing to a father figure.

Unlike his siblings, who openly embraced the era of social media, Joaquín López remained an enigma. The absence of any public images or videos of Joaquín contributed to his air of mystery.

Édgar, Joaquín, and Ovidio

The López Brothers

The López Brothers

Following Édgar's death, the Guzmán López brothers, Joaquín and Ovidio, took up his legacy. They inherited his extensive network within the drug industry and started to invest their narcotics proceeds heavily in marijuana from Mexico and cocaine from Colombia. They also expanded into methamphetamine production, procuring large quantities of ephedrine from Argentina.

Chapo Decides

Two weeks after the tragedy, Chapo made a monumental decision. He immersed his sons into the big-boy narcotrafficking world, initiating them under his and Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada García's tutelage. This was a deliberate choice, a path he chose for his children. 

Ovidio Guzmán López was yearning for his piece of this dangerous life. Soon after turning 18, Ovidio 'El Ratón' Guzmán López was indicted. On the other hand, unlike the others, Joaquín didn't plan for this to be his future.

Joaquín

Unlike his other brothers, I don't believe high-stakes drug smuggling was the future Joaquín planned for. Joaquín was counting on the protection of his now-deceased brother to shield him, but that time had passed. 

Thank you, and I hope it was worth the wait. 

In the next chapter, I dig into the indictments originating in 2008 and review what role Joaquín had. The goal is to try to understand the actual criminal career of Joaquín. I am skeptical that Joaquín Guzmán López was accepted and participated with his Salazar brothers. 

Thanks for reading!

Mica

mica for cartelinsider.com