Two killed in confrontation
Mexico's Security and Citizen Protection Secretary Omar García Harfuch said the confrontation began Monday near Guasave's Alfredo V. Bonfil neighborhood. Members of a criminal cell fired on Mexican Navy (SEMAR) personnel, who returned fire.
Mexican authorities identified the other person killed as Cesáreo Peñuelas Ruiz, a suspected member of the same criminal organization.
García Harfuch said the Navy seized three long guns, magazines, ammunition and four vehicles that had been reported stolen. The seized evidence was handed to Mexico's Attorney General's Office (FGR) for investigation.
U.S. trafficking case and sanctions
González Peñuelas, 56, had been a major target of the DEA and the U.S. State Department. Federal authorities sought his arrest to face charges involving international opioid trafficking, UPI reported. Borderland Beat reported that he faced at least two indictments in California and Colorado.
The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on him in 2021 under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, according to UPI.
Excelsior, cited by UPI, reported that his organization allegedly controlled production of heroin, methamphetamine and counterfeit M-30 fentanyl pills for U.S. markets, including California, Texas and Colorado.
Ties to rival Sinaloa factions
Los Mazatlecos, the group in which González Peñuelas held the No. 2 position, is also known as the Guasave Cartel.
According to UPI, González Peñuelas first worked with the Beltrán Leyva organization, later operating independently and developing ties to both Los Chapitos and Los Mayos, rival factions associated with the Sinaloa Cartel.
