CJNG's 'M3' Taken Down in Guayabitos, Nayarit

"Yaqui" for Borderland Beat

Erick Joel del Toro López, "El M3", an alleged lieutenant of the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG), was detained by agents of the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) after a gun battle that terrorized citizens and tourists alike in Rincón de Guayabitos, Nayarit.

Through a video broadcast on social media, "El M3" confessed to the military that he was a hitman and that he belong to the forces of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho". 

"What cartel do you belong to?" asked a uniformed man. "Jalisco", answered Erick.

"What are you?" They asked him. "Sicario," he said. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be used against you. We are personnel of the Mexican Army and we are going to put you before the competent authorities. We will respect your life and your human rights, " added the military man.

The gunfight in Rincón de Guayabitos, Nayarit, Saturday morning alarmed residents and, according to unofficial reports, shut down Federal Highway 200.   

         

                 

The Federal Public Ministry transferred "El M3" to the facilities of the Specialized Attorney for Organized Crime Investigation (SEIDO) in Mexico City to render his preparatory statement on the activities he carried out in favor of the CJNG.

"El M3" or "El Toro" was arrested last Saturday, March 20, in the Rincón de Guayabitos, a major tourist area in the state of Nayarit. Two other people were also apprehended.

Rincon de Guayabitos, Nayarit

Shootout details

With tourists on the ground, hotels closed. It was 10:00 am on Saturday March 20 and in Rincón de Guayabitos, the submachine guns were thundering. The lack of control that the country is experiencing rose a step that morning when users on social media reported an armed confrontation in this popular bay.

The gunmen's direct attack on the security forces could have occurred during a routine operation, in which elements of the National Guard made a checkpoint to stop vehicles with suspicious passengers. The criminals then opened fire on the agents.

Another version claims that the event has to do with the attack on an Army commander. It is unknown whether he was injured or lost his life.

Other versions reported on an operation that could have taken place in a CJNG safe house. Hence, videos circulated where the military acted stealthily. Presumably, the actions were carried out in a building near the hill, close to the federal highway. The closure of the highway lasted for a couple of hours, until 1:00 p.m.

From boats, rooftops and at the foot of the streets, the residents of Rincón de Guayabitos registered the detonations that they claimed were indications of a cartel clash. There were those who invited to take shelter, while in networks they requested to avoid the area.

The authorities call for citizens to avoid the town of Compostela, where security operations are being held. Four alleged criminals were injured as a result of the events.

Fuerte balacera en Rincón de Guayabitos, y autoridades de aquel estado no han dicho nada.... pic.twitter.com/X3f90O11GJ

— Diego García 》 Reportero (@DiegoGarciaH) March 20, 2021

One report said the battle was between narcos, including the CJNG.

Another said a National Guard patrol encountered armed hitmen belonging to a gang known as "La Empresa", who opened fire on soldiers. The only official announcement has been a message by the State Ministry of Security that federal security forces, including the National Guard and Compostela Municipal Police, were at the scene.

After the shooting that terrified tourists and locals in the municipality of Compostela, federal and local authorities deployed an operation by land and air.

Unconfirmed information indicates that an element of the Army was wounded and two vehicles of the Armed Forces received bullet holes. At the moment no casualties have transpired from either side.

So far, no authority has spoken on the matter.

Juan Francisco Patron Sanchez ('H2')

With homicides and disappearances, the criminal organization has begun to mark its passage through the state. The main objective would be to seize the territories or plazas that belonged to Juan Francisco Patron Sanchez, also known as "H2", who was killed by the Mexican Navy in 2017.

According to reports, the CJNG people have begun to exterminate their competition for the sale of crystal meth in the state, the dominant drug in the area.

The CJNG has intensified the murders and disappearances with the intention of intimidating their adversaries and obtaining information on how they operate in the town, especially against "Los Hs", an armed wing of the Beltrán Leyva.

El M3 was arrested after an operation in which Black Hawk helicopters were deployed, as well as various elements on the ground, including members of the National Guard, municipal and state police.

These weapons are European-made (source @waltrjramos)

According to photos leaked on social media, Sedena agents seized large-caliber weapons, including a Soviet RPG-7 rocket launcher. In addition, they seized five more long weapons, three of them equipped with a grenade launcher. They also confiscated an Italian short weapon of the Beretta type, chargers and ammunition, 5.56 caliber machine guns, M67 hand grenades, two SCAR L and one SCAR H rifles.

According to sources familiar with the matter who were consulted by Infobae Mexico, the SCAR L and SCAR H rifles are used by the United States Special Forces.

Authorities also seized a Minimi machine gun, all manufactured in Belgium, as well as a rifle of the AR family. The piece that was incorporated into the first three is the M203 grenade launcher attachment.

With this same device, the CJNG shot down a Sedena Cougar helicopter in the infamous attack in 2015. 

So far it has not been reported if more subjects were detained in the area, however, in the shared video it is possible to observe a civilian with a striped sweatshirt.

For his part, the governor of Nayarit, Antonio Echavarría García, called on the population to remain calm and indicated that the Armed Forces would provide more information.

“This morning, in the area of ​​Guayabitos, municipality of Compostela, a criminal group attacked elements of the Army, who immediately repelled the aggression. From the State Government, we support the prompt response of our Armed Forces to restore order in the area”, published the governor.

Map of Nayarit

In Nayarit, the drug known as crystal meth has become a focal point for the CJNG. With homicides and disappearances, the criminal organization has begun to mark its passage through the state.

The geographical position of Nayarit has made it an essential step in drug trafficking, especially since it is located between Jalisco and Sinaloa, where they are two of the most important drug trafficking groups in recent decades.

Guayabitos is just 70 miles (112 km) north of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Jalisco is also the headquarters of the CJNG, considered the criminal group with the highest growth and violence in Mexico.

The head of the United States Northern Command, General Glen VanHerck, pointed out last Tuesday at a press conference from the Pentagon that between 30% and 35 % of Mexican territory is controlled by criminal organizations.

The Mexican government denied these allegations on Friday, just one day after an ambush that left 13 security agents dead in the central State of Mexico.

When asked if criminal groups control the area, the Secretary of Security, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, said: “In no way is that statement real. We categorically deny it”.

Sources: MND / Infobae / Noticias MPV / SinEmbargo

Note: More videos of the same on the above SinEmbargo link.