Security Forces Arrest Zetas Boss 'Z-45' in Veracruz

"Morogris" for Borderland Beat

Alberto "N" was taken into custody. He is commonly referred to by his codename Z45 (image: @Jalisciense1c).

Elements of the Veracruz State Police and the Mexican Navy arrested Zetas faction boss Alberto (no surname given), commonly referred to by his aliases El Chuky, El Choker, Fantasma, and/or Z-45.

Investigators say he was one of the most-wanted criminals in the southern Veracruz municipalities of Coatzacoalcos, Minatitlan, and Cosoleacaque. He is wanted for multiple murders, extortions, bank robberies, extortions, and drug trafficking.

The arrest took place in the city of Veracruz. In the next few hours he will be presented before a judge, who will determine his legal situation.

In April 2020, Z-45 got widespread media attention across Mexico after his criminal group distributed pantries and pamphlets to locals in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, as part of a Covid-19 relief program.

“In support of the citizens of Coatzacoalcos. From Mr. Commander Z-45 ", one of the distributed pamphlets read.

As reported by Borderland Beat, during the past few years, southern Veracruz has been an important turf controlled by the Zetas Vieja Escuela (ZVE), a splinter group of the old Zetas cartel.

However, the rival Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG) has been trying to take control of the turf. This has led to an increase in homicides, extortions, and kidnappings.

Both the ZVE and the CJNG are competing for the control of the extortion ("protection") market in Veracruz. These organizations collect weekly fees from businesses in the area.

Many of these establishments are also often puntos (drug sale spots) for a local cartel. In Veracruz, many of the murders committed by cartel members are driven by competing over drug sale spots to sell heroin, cocaine, and meth.

Z45 distributed pantries across Veracruz. This was first done by the Gulf Cartel's former leader Evaristo Cruz Sanchez, alias El Vaquero, was reported by Borderland Beat.

Sources: Milenio; Infobae; La Silla Rota; La Hoguera