'Pikon', the Young Millennial Challenging El Mencho in the State of Mexico

"Slappy" and "Morogris" for Borderland Beat

Banner signed by "Pikon" where he threatens to kill rivals in his turf

In the State of Mexico, there is a young man who is fighting the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the largest criminal organizations in the country. He goes by the alias "Commander Pikon" and few details of his criminal background are known. His name is reportedly Alan Roa Castro Solorzano (born 1995). He is not more than 25 years old.

It is said that this young man is the leader of a criminal cell based in the municipality of Naucalpan, State of Mexico. The CJNG is currently fighting for control of this turf.

This young millennial does not have an easy task in front of him. His main rival is arguably one of the most powerful drug lords in Mexico.

Turf wars

The main rival of "Pikon" in the State of Mexico is the CJNG, which is headed by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes ("El Mencho"). "El Mencho" is known for his violent tactics against his rivals. "Pikon" also confronts cells of La Familia Michaocana, who operate in the state.

Despite his young age, "Pikon" has not gone unnoticed by rival criminal groups. The first time we heard about him was in October 2018, when his henchmen left a banner in Naucalpan announcing they were going to clean the city from "thieves, extortionists and traitors." The police stated that Naucalpan was notorious for being a extortion and theft hot spot, but worried that this announcement would increase crime levels in the area.

Days prior to this incident, security cameras captured his gunmen driving through an avenue, a few blocks from where the banner was left. Police officers did not intervene reportedly because they feared that the gunmen working for "Pikon" would kill their comrades.

A police officer who avoided the scene told reporters that his comrades were not match for them and that they were outgunned and outnumbered. The video's translation was provided by Borderland Beat. "Pikon" has accused the Naucalpan municipal police of being "traitors" and working with his rivals.

The threats of "Pikon" continued to appear months later. In one banner, "Pikon" openly threatened police officers and left severed pig heads to intimidate gangsters and security forces. This was reported by Borderland Beat in May 2019. One of the banners said that "Pikon" would not hesitate to kill their family members and leave their bodies in coolers.

"Pikon" is wanted by State of Mexico authorities for his suspected organized crime involvement.

Source(s): La Verdad; Tribuna; Letra Roja; Televisa; Periodico Palacio; Proceso; AM