Hell's Angels Leader Hiding in Cancún—Wanted by Interpol for Drug Trafficking

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Authorities in Cancún, Quintana Roo, have arrested Denis Ivziku, a leader and logistical operator for the transnational criminal organization known as the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC). He was wanted by Interpol for drug trafficking and extortion. The group is the largest and most well-known outlaw motorcycle club in the world.

The suspect is considered one of the primary instigators of violence on an international level and faces charges related to drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, extortion, and other crimes.

Canadian media outlets identify the suspect by the alias "Menace" and link him to the trafficking of "methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl." Although he was wanted by Canadian authorities and Interpol, he had been operating in hiding from Cancún, on the Yucatán Peninsula.

The arrest took place as part of an operation driven by intelligence gathering and international cooperation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which had an active investigation underway regarding international drug and arms trafficking.

On Friday, May 15, 2026, the Security Cabinet announced that this coordinated effort allowed authorities to pinpoint Denis Ivziku's movements—specifically within the municipality of Cancún—where the criminal group he led had been operating under the guise of a motorcycle club.

Officials detailed that the capture of the Hell's Angels ringleader was the result of a joint operation involving the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR), the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSyPC), and the Attorney General's Office (FGR), the latter of which executed the arrest warrant issued against the foreign criminal.

Who is Denis Ivziku, the leader of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club criminal group? 

According to the *Vancouver Sun*, Denis Ivziku is 28 years old. Ivziku is one of 22 individuals charged in "Project Divergent," a four-year investigation targeting a drug and firearms trafficking network that "operated across Canada—from Vancouver to Toronto—as well as in Colombia, Greece, and the United States."

Denis Ivziku, aka Menace

In a statement, the Mexican government indicated that Ivziku had been identified as a key instigator of violence and a leader within the organization, in addition to serving as the logistical operator for the criminal cell active in that municipality.

Denis Ivziku Orchestrated Drug Trafficking from Quintana Roo

It was also reported that the aforementioned group of motorcyclists was linked to illicit activities involving drug trafficking, violence, and extortion, among other crimes.

According to authorities, the detainee was the subject of an active Red Notice issued by Interpol in Budapest for crimes involving firearms possession, narcotics trafficking, and human trafficking.

Based on this information, an operation was launched in which security personnel executed the arrest warrant.

The statement notes that Ivziku was read his rights and subsequently placed at the disposal of the appropriate Public Prosecutor, who will determine his legal status in accordance with applicable legal procedures.

Hells Angels in Quintana Roo

According to local media, the areas with the highest level of criminal activity involving the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club are Cancún, Chetumal, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen; from these locations, a range of illicit operations are managed.

The presence of this transnational gang in Quintana Roo is not a new phenomenon; on December 27, 2024, five gunshot wounds to the head claimed the life of Canadian national Mathieu Bélanger in Playa del Carmen. A member of the Hells Angels, Bélanger was reportedly the gang's liaison with the criminal group "Los Menores," and his death was part of an ongoing turf war for territorial control against other criminal organizations operating in the region.

Denis Ivziku, aka Menace

Cancún, Quintana Roo

Source: Diario de Yucatan

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Mass Graves and Clandestine "Cooking Pits" Found in Miguel Alemán

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Community groups discovered at least seven sets of human remains in the rural area of the village of "Los Angeles"; authorities are analyzing evidence to identify the remains.

Members of the collective "Amor por los Desaparecidos en Tamaulipas" (Love for the Disappeared in Tamaulipas) made a new discovery of clandestine graves and "kitchens" in a rural area south of the town of "Los Ángeles," in coordination with the State Commission for the Search for Disappeared Persons.

The collective's representative, Edith González, reported that this operation marks the 55th search and the 22nd successful discovery carried out by the group within the state.

During the operation, six clandestine "kitchens," six graves, and seven complete sets of skeletal remains—still clad in clothing—were located, along with various other evidentiary clues that are currently being processed by the relevant authorities.

Search and recovery operations remain active in the area, as family members and volunteers continue to uncover objects and evidence that could contribute to future investigations and the identification of victims.

The victims' relatives continue to traverse hard-to-reach areas in the hope of obtaining information regarding the whereabouts of their loved ones.

Los Ángeles, Tamaulipas 

Source: El Mañana

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Two Former Mexican Officials Accused of Narco Links Surrender to U.S. Authorities

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

This week, two former senior officials from the Mexican state of Sinaloa, both accused by U.S. prosecutors of ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, surrendered to American authorities in separate incidents.

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Rural Police Seize Arsenal and Four Vehicles Following Clash in Cuauhtémoc

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

No officers were reported injured following the exchange of gunfire, and a search operation was launched to locate those responsible.

Officers from the Rural Police successfully seized a significant arsenal—including a .50-caliber rifle—along with narcotics and four vehicles, following a clash that took place in the mountainous region near the Cuauhtémoc toll booth, the State Public Security Secretariat (SSPE) reported.

According to a press release issued by the agency, the seizure was the result of crime prevention and deterrence operations conducted in hard-to-reach areas—initiatives directed by Gilberto Loya Chávez, head of the SSPE.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of May 13, when officers from the force, while conducting patrols along dirt trails, spotted a convoy of armed men who fled upon noticing the police presence.

Consequently, a pursuit ensued across rugged terrain, during which the armed group subsequently opened fire on the officers.

Officers from the Undersecretariat of Police Deployment immediately returned fire, overwhelming the suspected criminals with superior firepower. Finding themselves outmatched by the state forces, the aggressors abandoned their vehicles to block the road before fleeing on foot across the rugged terrain.

At the scene, agents seized three long guns and a high-powered .50-caliber rifle, in addition to 20 magazines and over 570 rounds of live ammunition of various calibers. Inside the vehicles, they also discovered seven plate carriers, one ballistic helmet, and nearly half a kilogram of marijuana.

The seized vehicles included a Dodge Durango reported stolen in Texas, a RAM 2500 reported stolen in Albuquerque, as well as a Ford Platinum and a GMC Yukon.

It is worth noting that no officers were reported injured following the exchange of gunfire. Subsequently, a search operation was deployed in the area in an attempt to locate those responsible.

Finally, Secretary Gilberto Loya issued instructions to maintain a permanent presence of the Rural Police and special units in the western region to ensure the safety of the inhabitants. All seized items were placed at the disposal of the Attorney General's Office (FGR) for the compilation of the corresponding investigative file.

Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua

Source: El Heraldo de Chihuahua

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Two Clandestine Fuel Taps Secured in Rural Altamira

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Personnel from the State Guard, the Navy, and Pemex detected illegal connections to pipelines along the Tampico-Mante highway; the area was secured to facilitate sealing operations.

A joint operation involving the State Guard, the Secretariat of the Navy, and security personnel from Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) led to the detection of two clandestine fuel taps in the municipality of Altamira.

The incident occurred near kilometer 62 of Federal Highway 80 (Tampico-Mante), in the vicinity of the Santa Gertrudis communal land, along the stretch immediately preceding Estación Manuel.

Two Clandestine Fuel Taps Secured in Rural Altamira

During the deployment, state and federal forces established a security perimeter to safeguard the infrastructure and facilitate the work of specialized technicians.

Pemex technical personnel proceeded to neutralize and seal the pipeline connections to prevent environmental hazards or explosions in the rural area.

Following an inspection of the area, authorities reported that no individuals were found at the site; consequently, no arrests were made in connection with this incident.

Altamira, Tamaulipas 

Source: El Mañana

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CNN, NYT Report CIA Was Behind Car Bomb Assassination of Sinaloa Cartel Officer in March 2026

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

In late-March, a Sinaloa Cartel officer identified as Francisco Beltrán “N” alias "El Payin" was killed when his vehicle exploded just after arriving at Felipe Angeles International Airport just outside Mexico City. Last night, CNN reported that the killing was orchestrated and carried by C.I.A. officers in Mexico, a claim which the United States and Mexican governments rejected. 

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The Number of People Arrested in Connection With "The Lord of the Ships" Has Risen to Four

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Operations conducted by federal forces to locate businessman Roberto Blanco Cantú—known as "El Señor de los Buques" (The Lord of the Ships)—have so far resulted in the arrest of four individuals, including José Antonio Cortés Huerta, the alleged leader of a cell linked to the Northeast Cartel.

Federal government sources confirmed to MILENIO that the arrests stemmed from a series of simultaneous raids carried out in Monterrey, San Pedro, and Allende—all within the state of Nuevo León—targeting the cell associated with the aforementioned criminal organization, which is likely led by José Antonio Cortés Huerta. 

According to information obtained by this news outlet, the operation was spearheaded at the ministerial level by the Attorney General's Office (FGR) and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC). Meanwhile, personnel from the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR) deployed intelligence officers and specialized tactical special operations teams to provide security, conduct site exploitation, and maintain operational control throughout the proceedings.

The operations took place on May 9 at four properties linked to the criminal structure. This group is considered a major generator of violence and is allegedly involved in operations involving funds of illicit origin, drug-related offenses, and the possession of weaponry.

Who was arrested during the raids in Nuevo León?

Notable among those detained are: José Antonio Cortés Huerta; Jesse 'N', identified as an operative within the same structure; Rosario Flores Alemán, a close associate of the cell's leader; and Juan de Dios 'N', identified as a bodyguard.

The sources consulted indicated that the Navy's involvement was crucial in securing the properties without major incident and maintaining tactical control of the operation—which was deemed high-risk due to the organization's level of armament and financial capacity.

During the raids, authorities seized handguns and long guns, magazines, ammunition, mobile phones, computers, cash-counting machines, high-end vehicles, cash (pending an official count by the FGR), narcotics, and various documents deemed relevant to the investigation. One of the findings that most caught the authorities' attention was the discovery of properties showing signs of the organization's financial and logistical operations, as well as exotic wildlife and luxury assets that allegedly formed part of a money laundering and asset concealment scheme.

Officials indicated that, within the security cabinet, this operation is considered a significant blow to the operational and financial capabilities of this cell in Nuevo León—particularly given the profile of those detained and the seizure of electronic equipment and documentation, which will now be analyzed by federal intelligence agencies.

They further stated that the Secretariat of the Navy maintained discreet surveillance on movements and points of interest related to the organization's structure for several weeks, thereby enabling them to execute the operations with surgical precision and without creating risk situations for the general public.

The Link to 'El Señor de los Buques'

José Antonio Cortés Huerta has been identified by authorities as one of the key operatives for businessman Roberto Blanco Cantú.

The seized properties are linked to Roberto Blanco Cantú—also known as Roberto Brown Cantú—the majority shareholder of the company MEFRA FLETES, S.A. de C.V., who is responsible for the commercialization of illicitly sourced hydrocarbons originating in the United States.

It is suspected that Blanco Cantú is connected to a corporate network allegedly used to smuggle illicit fuel from the United States into Mexico through schemes involving tax evasion on fuel, document manipulation, and maritime-port logistics.

Sources: Milenio, Borderland Beat Archives

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Convoy of Durango Forces and National Guard Arrives in Parral, Heading to the Sierra Following Attack on Displaced Persons

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Personnel spent the night at the 76th Infantry Battalion and will depart for El Durazno and Tamazula to reinforce security in the Golden Triangle.

A convoy comprising agents from the Durango State Public Security Secretariat, the Durango State Attorney General's Office, and the National Guard arrived in Parral on Monday night. The units entered the 76th Infantry Battalion base, where the personnel spent the night before departing the following day for the Durango sierra—specifically toward the El Durazno area. This deployment follows an incident over the weekend in which families displaced from that region were attacked while traveling toward Guadalupe y Calvo, fleeing the ceaseless violence plaguing the Golden Triangle.

According to gathered information, the objective of this inter-agency deployment is to reinforce security in the mountain communities of the Golden Triangle, particularly in areas such as Tamazula, where violent incidents linked to organized crime groups have been reported in recent days.

The mobilization comes in the wake of attacks recorded last weekend against displaced families who had fled their communities to seek refuge in the municipality of Guadalupe y Calvo, escaping the violence currently prevailing in this border region shared by Durango, Chihuahua, and Sinaloa.

The mobilization comes in the wake of the attacks on displaced families that took place last weekend.

Reports indicate that several families abandoned their homes following armed clashes and threats in various mountain localities—a situation that instilled fear among residents, who chose to relocate to safer zones to protect their children and elderly family members.

The arrival of the convoy drew the attention of Parral residents, as the units traveled along various avenues before entering the military barracks. The column included state patrol cars, armored vehicles, and tactical support trucks, accompanied by heavily armed personnel. Security sources indicated that law enforcement agencies will remain coordinated with federal and military authorities to enter high-risk mountain communities, where they will conduct surveillance patrols, carry out visible presence operations, and take measures to deter further acts of violence.

Local governments will continue to coordinate with federal and military authorities to gain access to mountain communities

To date, authorities in Durango haven’t issued an official statement detailing the number of personnel deployed or the duration of the operations; however, reports suggest that these actions could continue for several days given the security situation currently facing the region.

The surge in violence within the "Golden Triangle" has sparked concern among residents of the mountainous zone and nearby communities, who continue to report forced displacement, armed clashes, and the constant presence of criminal groups—a situation that has kept security forces in both Durango and Chihuahua on high alert.

Parral, Chihuahua

Source: El Sol de Parral

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Sheinbaum Reiterates That Mexico's Sovereignty Is Non-Negotiable

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Amidst the tensions generated by the United States toward Mexico regarding violence and accusations leveled against Mexican politicians, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo declared that "we are a free, independent, and sovereign country," and that its sovereignty "isn’t negotiable."

What did Claudia Sheinbaum state regarding Mexico's sovereignty?

During the ceremony marking the 106th Anniversary of the Column of Legality—held at the Heroic Military College—the President invoked the legacy of Venustiano Carranza to underscore that, in the face of any attempted interference, Mexican foreign policy will continue to be guided by the principles of the self-determination of peoples and non-intervention.

"Mexico stated it clearly then (with the Carranza Doctrine), and we state it today: it is a free, independent, and sovereign country," affirmed the head of the federal executive branch, accompanied by General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, head of the Secretariat of National Defense, and Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, head of the Secretariat of the Navy.

The President's Activities at the Heroic Military College

In a speech, Sheinbaum recalled that Carranza established a principle that remains fully relevant today: "No country has the right to decide the destiny of another."

The President highlighted that the former leader maintained that all nations—"large or small"—are equal in dignity and sovereignty, and that no power should intervene in the internal affairs of other peoples or claim privileges that supersede national laws.

She noted that the so-called Carranza Doctrine was more than just a diplomatic stance; it constituted the response of a country that had endured invasions, occupations, and foreign pressures, and it laid the groundwork for what would later become the Estrada Doctrine.

"Today, more than a century later, those principles continue to guide Mexico's foreign policy, because our history taught us that sovereignty isn’t negotiable, that independence must be defended every day, and that relationships between nations can only be built upon respect—never upon imposition," she emphasized. Details on the Carranza Doctrine and Its Current Relevance

Sheinbaum also championed Carranza as one of the principal architects of contemporary Mexico, noting that, following the Plan of Guadalupe, he led the Constitutionalist Army and convened the Congress that gave rise to the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1917.

"Mexico must recognize in Venustiano Carranza one of the great builders of the modern State," she asserted.

The President pointed out that, despite the complexities and contradictions of his career, Carranza left behind a legacy defined by the defense of republican legality and national sovereignty. Furthermore, she highlighted the valor of the cadets from the Heroic Military College who escorted the former leader during his retreat in May 1920—an episode that gave rise to the Column of Legality.

"That historical lesson remains alive in the heart of Mexico," she declared.

During the ceremony, Sheinbaum presented commendations to members of the Armed Forces, including personnel who participated in the rescue of miners at the Santa Fe mine in El Rosario, Sinaloa. The event was also attended by members of the legal and extended cabinets, legislators, and representatives of the Judiciary.

Source: El Mañana

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Pemex Fuel Theft Tunnel Seized by FGR in Santa Catarina, Nuevo León

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

This afternoon, the Attorney General's Office (FGR) reported the seizure of a clandestine tunnel used for fuel theft, connected to a Pemex pipeline in Santa Catarina, Nuevo León.

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Los Mayos Sinaloa Cartel Operatives Arrested After Raids in Chiapas

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Security forces arrested two alleged operators of the Sinaloa Cartel Los Mayos faction after a series of raids in the border region of Chiapas on Friday. 

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Who is José Antonio Cortés Huerta linked to "The Lord of the Ships"?

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat 

In Nuevo León, personnel from the Navy, the Secretariat of Public Security, and the Attorney General's Office executed four search warrants, during which they detained José Antonio Cortés Huerta, a 39-year-old leader of a cell affiliated with the Northeast Cartel—as well as Rosario Flores Alemán, 41. 

Authorities seized doses of narcotics, cash, eleven vehicles, six motorcycles, nine handguns, one long gun, ammunition, computer equipment, and documentation. The secured properties are linked to Roberto Blanco Cantú (also known as Roberto Brown Cantú)—alias "El Señor de los Buques" (The Lord of the Ships)—the majority shareholder of the company Mefra Fletes S.A. de C.V., who is responsible for the commercialization of illicitly sourced hydrocarbons originating from the United States and is himself linked to the Northeast Cartel. 

This operational action is the result of investigative work stemming from the seizure of a vessel in Tamaulipas. Furthermore, José Antonio Cortés Huerta has been identified as one of Roberto Blanco Cantú's principal operatives. He is also linked to an ongoing criminal investigation—which incorporates information from SEMARNAT—regarding the unauthorized possession of wildlife. This information was released this morning.

Rosario Flores Alemán, 41, and José Antonio Cortés Huerta, 39, the alleged leader of a cell linked to the Northeast Cartel. 

Rosario Flores Alemán, 41, and José Antonio Cortés Huerta, 39, the alleged leader of a cell linked to the Northeast Cartel. 

AMLO and José Antonio Cortés Huerta

José Antonio Cortés Huerta

Mexican authorities arrested José Antonio Cortés Huerta, 39, identified as the leader of a cell linked to the Northeast Cartel, and during the operation seized weapons, drugs, cash, and seven captive tigers, official sources reported on Monday.

Chipinque San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León. 

Source: NMás

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New U.S. Counterterror Strategy Focuses On Drug Cartels But Omits Right-Wing Extremism

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat 

American counterterrorism officials are meeting Friday with officials from other allied nations to coordinate efforts against what the U.S. calls "deadly threats from terror groups and non-state actors." But the recently released U.S. strategy to fight terrorism contains some unusual targets. William Brangham speaks with Colin Clarke, executive director of The Soufan Center, for more.

Sources: PBS News Hour, Borderland Beat Archives

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Cases of "Blind Mules" Rise at the Tijuana Border

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

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United States Counterterrorism Strategy 2026

On May 6, 2026, the White House issued the annual United States Counterterrorism Strategy, a presidential memorandum outlining how the U.S. government identifies, prioritizes, and plans to neutralize terrorist threats facing the country worldwide during the year.

 

  

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