At least 11 dead after Juarez/Sinaloa gun battle in Guachochi Chihuahua

Two opposing groups of Sinaloa (Gente Nueva) and Juarez (La Linea) cartels,  fought a fierce gun battle, lasting multiple hours,  in the city of Guachochi in the Sierra Tarahumara, leaving 11 people dead.  Although local witnesses insist there were 18 dead.

Yesterday the state attorney general confirmed that in the aftermath of the battle, 11 people were dead.

The gunfight broke out Friday night at the junction of the road to Tónachi, in an areas known as "Cerro Grande", about five kilometers from Guachochi.  Tónachi is an indigenous community, having a small population of 200 people, that is located an hour away from Creel.

In a statement, Arturo Figón  Sandoval, a spokesman for the Prosecutor's Office, confirmed that four of the victims were incinerated.  The confrontation occurred in the ongoing struggle for control of harvesting and drug trafficking in the area.  2 tons of marijuana were left at the scene. 

Several of the deceased subjects were wearing tactical uniforms and vests.

Some reports, and authorities initially reported, that among the dead were innocents.

At the scene the prosecution investigators,  recovered four torched vehicles, of which inside contained the 4 incinerated bodies..  The spokesman also reported that a massive amount of shells were in the area of the clash,  from various calibers including 50cal and 40mm grenade shells.

During the gunfight, several grenades were launched.   According to the report of the Attorney General, investigators discovered apx 1000  spent shells.

The main activities of the two groups in the mountainous regions are  the harvest and sale of marijuana and poppy .

Diario Cambio de Puebla reported that a CDS “leader” was killed in the action, but had no name,no details and is the only source that is reporting the death. The Puebla newspaper was  tentative in their reporting, saying “supposedly”.

update:  Pedro Salgueiro González, was killed in the confrontation.  He is the cousin of Noel Salgueiro Nevárez alias "Flaco" [above left].  This is probably the person reference to in reports.

Mural-El Diario-Facebook