12/26/11 – On Friday December 23, Mexican authorities made great advancements against drug cartel operations with the capture of the top lieutenant of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel, Felipe Cabrera Sarabia, alias “The Engineer.” Cabrera was arrested by special forces in the city of Culiacan, the capital of the state of Sinaloa, where the Sinaloa cartel mainly operates from. At a press conference held Monday December 26, Chief Army spokesman General Ricardo Trevilla revealed that this capture will “affect the structure and leadership of the Sinaloa cartel.” The cartel, which is one of the most influential narco-trafficking organizations in the northern region of Mexico, contributes to the transportation of major quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the United States from Mexico and Colombia.
BBC News reports that defense officials believe Cabrera has ran operations for the Sinaloa cartel in the northern state of Durango and in part of the northern state of Chihuahua, as well as being head of security for the cartel’s boss, Joaquín Guzmán, alias “El Chapo.” Guzmán, who according to Forbes magazine is worth more than $1 billion, currently has a $5 million bounty set by the U.S. government. His whereabouts remains unknown since his 2001 escape from prison in a laundry cart, and authorities have not yet revealed if Cabrera’s arrest has led them any closer to his capture.
Sources:
“Mexico cartel ‘security chief’ Cabrera Sarabia arrested.” BBC News. December 26, 2011.
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