Benito Portillo Torres, killed in Culiacán

Lucio R Borderland Beat From El Debate,  Linea Direct and BB Archives

Police sources report that Benito Portillo Torres, the alleged leader of a criminal cell operating in the mountains of Choix, Sinaloa, was killed Thursday morning in the streets of the colonia Las Vegas.

Benito Torres Portillo, is accused by authorities of Sinaloa and Chihuahua of being responsible for many violent events in recent years in the mountains of Choix,  during the leaders management of the drug trade.

The attack occurred in the early  hours of Thursday, which generated strong police mobilization.

The report confirmed that shortly before 8:00 am on Xicohténcatl street of the colonia Las Vegas two people were killed by gunfire.

Officials say the two men who were gunned down were aboard a dark gray Cruiser with California plates 6EUL244.  Two people were dead inside the vehicle. Authorities report that one of those killed in an element of the judicial police, which was identified as Manuel de Jesus Barraza Armenta 52 years old.

Portillo's brother Bernardino Portillo Torres, 24, was killed on March 4th,  in the Sierra de Urique, Chihuahua.

Benito Portillo had appointed  Bernardino in charge of Urique, Chihuahua, where he was killed when confronted by the militia.

In the same convoy Bernardino was travelling with Benito, who managed evade bullets and flee the area.

Since that event nothing has been reported about Benito until the news of Thursday that he was killed along with a former agent of the State Police, Jesus Barraza Armenta, after being attacked by an armed group as they drove through the streets of Culiacan

Benito Torres Portillo and his brother Vincent have both been identified as lieutenants of the gavilleros group in Chihuahua, that clash for possession of the land in the mountains of Choix.

Choix is a prime region in the cultivation of marijuana and opium gum.   Portillo Torres is accused of having ordered large convoys of gunmen, disguised as federal agents in different highland communities of Choix.

The first major conflict in the region now known for massive convoys and deadly conflicts, began on Friday April 27, 2012, in the community of El Pichol, which resulted in the brother of Adelmo “Lemo” Núñez, being shot and killed. 

Adelmo was the principal rival of Benito Portillo. 
Since 2012, Adelmo Nunez Molina has been targeted by the alliance of the Beltran Leyva brothers, because they consider him as a traitor to Alfredo Beltran Leyva, “El Mochomo”, who he pledged allegiance to after the boss had supported and trusted him before being apprehended in January 2008. 
That shootout was one of the bloodiest ever transpiring in the region, with reports of 50+ being killed.

The battle of April, 2012

The battle of April, 2012 resulted in one of the intense battles  ever known.  The battle began in the municipality of Choix, near the Golden Triangle, which left around 30 people dead according to official count, then another 20 plus in the following battle. 

The conflict lasted 4 days.

First Clash: Sinaloa cartel vs Beltrans.  On that occasion  April 27^th  a convoy of 40-50 heavily armed men dressed in military-style outfits and the State Preventive Police, presumably entered from Chihuahua on two fronts, the towns of Urique and / or Morelos, to the region of Bacayopa, Choix.  The goal, according to reports, was to attack El Potrero de los Fierro ranch, where would aim to eliminate Adelmo “Lemo” Núñez Adelmo Nunez Molina, aka “El Señor or “01”.

Arriving at the village they were greeted by gunfire from BLO and Zeta gunmen, Sinaloa retreated after suffering heavy losses.

The next day Beltrans bloody clash with the Army

The day after the confrontation with the Sinaloa Cartel, Beltran-Los Zetas was in a violent conflicts.  Fighting against  elements of the Mexican Army, where in the  early hours of Saturday April 28^th the clash began, leaving at least 23 were left dead in the balance.

The aggressors make up a cell of the Beltran Leyva brothers, Carrillo Fuentes, the Juárez Cartel and Los Zetas.

This gunbattle and the intervention of staff of the Mexican Army was in the Potrero de Fierro, El Pichol,Choix, Sinaloa, including other communities of Choix and the municipality of El Fuerte, extending to its  border  with Chihuahua, the shooting extended for days. The official balance of 22 dead, among them the municipal police Hector Germán Ruiz Villas.

Seized were  "cloned" type military and the State Preventive Police vehicles,  three of them armoured, two  Barrett, a 50-caliber machine gun, 15 AK-47 rifles, a carbine AR-15, eight guns, 118 magazines and 5 823  useful ammunitions