Chihuahua: 5 Suspected Illegal Loggers Killed; H19, Successor of La Linea Boss H7

"Morogris" for Borderland Beat

Note: This is a two story article. The first part covers a recent massacre in Guerrero, Chihuahua. The second story discusses a recent revelation on La Linea cartel boss H19.

Guerrero municipality within the Mexican state of Chihuahua, Mexico (photo credit: HEARST from Borderland Beat)

At least five people reportedly involved in illegal logging were killed in Ejido Calaveras, in the municipality of Guerrero, Chihuahua. According to local residents, an armed group attacked them shortly before 10 a.m. on Tuesday while they were cutting pine trees.

The assailants fled in the trucks in which they arrived. They had appointed a getaway driver for each of the vehicles. Witnesses said that another vehicle with armed men was posted about 100 meters (328 feet) from the crime scene to protect the attacking group.

Sources close to the investigation confirmed to local reporters that the death toll could be higher because others loggers fled into the forest and were chased down by sicarios. Their whereabouts are currently unknown.

The local police was the first to arrive at the scene after several emergency calls were made. Upon arrival and confirming the death count, they cordoned off the area and called the Forensic Medical Service (SEMEFO) and the Chihuahua State Police to help in the investigation.

The deceased were preliminarily identified as Ramón Cornelio A. T., 44 years old, and his son Édgar Said P. A., 26 years old; Juan Miguel G. N., 28 years old, Ramón P. S., 30 years old; and Jesús Darian C. R., 17 years old.

No arrests were made.

Authorities have yet to release a picture of Roy Ivan Manjarrez Daniel alias El H-19 (photo credit: HEARST from Borderland Beat)

H19 Succeeds H7

In a separate incident, Chihuahua public security chief Emilio García Ruiz confirmed in an interview that Roy Manjarrez Daniel alias "H19" succeeded Juan Romero Manjárrez Alonso alias "El H7" as a faction leader in La Linea.

He said that this person is the nephew of "H7", who has practically his entire family in the criminal structure that operates in the western part of the state, mainly in the municipalities of Cuauhtémoc, Bocoyna, and Carichí.

It should be noted that "H7" was arrested in a hotel in Chihuahua city and is the main person responsible for the murder of four elements of the state police when they were ambushed in the Bocoyna area a few years ago. 

Guerrero attack: La Jornada; La Polaka; Diario de Juarez (1); (2); El Heraldo de Chihuahua

H19 news and background: Diario de Juarez; Notable Figures - La Linea Part 1; Notable Figures: Gente Nueva in Chihuahua