Operative in Badiraguato captures "Mantecas" and disables Beltrán Leyva cell

Mexican federal authorities carried out a coordinated operation in Badiraguato, Sinaloa, resulting in the arrest of Iván Valerio “N,” identified by the alias “Mantecas.” According to the National Registry of Detentions, the operation took place on January 18 in the locality of El Rincón de los Monzón, with the participation of the Secretariat of National Defense, the National Guard, the Attorney General’s Office, the Secretariat of the Navy, and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection.

Capture of Criminal Leader in Badiraguato

The goal of the operation was to neutralize “Mantecas,” who is identified as the leader of a criminal cell linked to the Beltrán Leyva organization. During the operation in Badiraguato, a group of armed individuals confronted federal forces with gunfire, prompting security forces to repel the attack and take control of the area. Alongside the arrest of the alleged leader, seven more individuals were detained as members of the same criminal organization.

Disruption of Illicit Operations

The operation in Badiraguato led to the seizure of a synthetic drug production center operated by the criminal cell. Authorities confiscated handguns and long guns, vehicles, magazines, cartridges, and various doses of illegal substances. These findings demonstrate the scale of the operations carried out by this criminal group in the Sinaloa region.

Commitment to Human Rights in Security

Omar García Harfuch, head of the Secretariat of Security, confirmed the results of the operation in Badiraguato and emphasized that investigations are ongoing. The official reiterated that the Security Cabinet remains committed to fighting those responsible for violence while respecting human rights as a fundamental principle of State actions.

According to reports from InSight Crime analysis, the Beltrán Leyva organization was one of the most influential criminal structures in Mexico during the first decade of the 21st century. Although the break with the Sinaloa Cartel in 2008 marked the beginning of its decline as a centralized structure, its remnants have continued operating through regional factions spread across different areas of the country. The operation carried out in Badiraguato reflects ongoing efforts to dismantle these remaining cells and restore security in the region.