Semar Black Hawk Helicopter Crashes After RCQ Operation Killing 14 Marines Near Los Mochis, Sinaloa

 "Socalj" for Borderland Beat

Shortly after the operation capturing wanted fugitive Caro Quintero, a Black Hawk helicopter crashed killing 14 Mexican Marines with 1 surviving in critical condition.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador confirmed that 14 agents of the Secretary of the Navy of Mexico (Semar) died in the crash of a helicopter after they participated in the operation that led to the capture of Rafael Caro Quintero, the Narco de narcos, in Sinaloa.

The locations of Rafael Caro Quintero's capture and the Semar helicopter crash shortly after. The Black Hawk UH-60M was likely returning to base while near the Los Mochis airport.

It should be remembered that this Friday it was reported that Rafael Caro Quintero, former leader of the Guadalajara Cartel, was apprehended in San Simón, Choix, Sinaloa, after an operation in which elements of the Secretary of the Navy (Semar) and elements of the Attorney General's Office participated (FGR). 

Max, a trained Bloodhound tracked RCQ finding him hidden in the bushes of the mountains of San Simon.

The capture of Caro Quintero was after a canine named "Max," from the Secretariat of the Mexican Navy found him in the bushes in the town of San Simón, Choix, Sinaloa. Max is a female of the Bloodhound breed and is distinguished by her extensive tracking ability, for which she specialized in the search for weapons and money in the field, which is why she was included in this Friday's successful operation.

Federal troops, including agents from the Attorney General's Office, located RCQ who has two arrest warrants and a request for extradition to the United States.

After the arrest of Rafael Caro Quintero, a helicopter owned by the Secretary of the Navy (Semar) crashed on the afternoon of July 15 near the Los Mochis International Airport, in Sinaloa. The aircraft in which Semar Marines were traveling was not shot down, but Semar will investigate the causes that led to the accident in Los Mochis.

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGE BELOW

Units of the Municipal Police arrived at the site together with elements of the Mexican Red Cross and under the supervision of another Semar aircraft, who confirmed the fatal victims of the accident, which occurred in the Topolobampo Industrial Zone, near the Los Mochis highway, Topolobampo towards the port.

"Right now our volunteers from the Los Mochis Red Cross are working on the collapse of a Navy helicopter, supporting the crew's relief efforts with three ambulances, a rescue car, and 11 elements," the institution reported at the time.

Caro Quintero was transported by plane after his capture in Sinaloa.

The authorities airlifted the detainee from Sinaloa via plane to the Mexico City International Airport, where a convoy from Semar and the FGR moved to the Altiplano maximum security prison. However, authorities have not confirmed whether the armored vehicle that left the airbase was carrying the capo. But the FGR has already assured the destination. “The extraditable person will be interned at the Social Rehabilitation Center Number 1 (Altiplano), in Almoloya, State of Mexico,” reported the unit headed by Alejandro Gertz Manero after his arrest.

The United States has requested his extradition and it is likely to take place quickly.

Some photographs showed the journey of Caro Quintero, heavily escorted by federal agents.

Statement Excerpts from the US and Mexico

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador
AMLO pointed out that the members of the Navy who died in the crash of a helicopter belonging to the unit near Los Mochis, in Sinaloa, supported the capture of Rafael Caro Quintero, founder of the Guadalajara cartel.

“I send my most sincere condolences and hugs to his family, colleagues and friends. The Secretary of the Navy, José Rafael Ojeda Durán, has informed me that an investigation will be ordered to find out the causes of the crash of the helicopter in which they were traveling when they were about to land in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, after fulfilling the mission of supporting those who they executed the arrest warrant against Rafael Caro Quintero,” AMLO highlighted on his social networks.

Secretary of Public Security (SSP) of the State of Sinaloa, Cristóbal Castañeda

"We regret the death of 14 members of the @SEMAR_mx who, in the performance of their duty, lost their lives after the aircraft they were flying collapsed in the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa"

President of the Senate Olga Sánchez Cordero

Senators ask to investigate reasons for the helicopter crash in Sinaloa Senators from all parties requested that the causes of the helicopter crash near Los Mochis be investigated after fulfilling the mission of supporting those who executed the arrest warrant against Rafael Caro Quintero.

In social networks, the President of the Senate, Olga Sánchez Cordero wrote: “I join in the condolences to the Mexican Navy and the relatives of the deceased sailors, always in the delivery and at the service of our country, after the crash of the helicopter in which they were traveling. I also join the request that these facts be investigated.”

US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland

“There is no hiding place for anyone who kidnaps, tortures, and murders American law enforcement. We are deeply grateful to Mexican authorities for their capture and arrest of Rafael Caro-Quintero. Today’s arrest is the culmination of tireless work by DEA and their Mexican partners to bring Caro-Quintero to justice for his alleged crimes, including the torture and execution of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. We will be seeking his immediate extradition to the United States so he can be tried for these crimes in the very justice system Special Agent Camarena died defending.

“We join in mourning the 14 Mexican servicemembers who gave their lives in service to their country and extend our condolences to the loved ones they left behind.”

Ken Salazar United States Ambassador to Mexico 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mexican Marines who gave their lives in service to their country, and their families and comrades left behind. Their bravery and sacrifice will be honored as we seek to achieve greater security for both of our nations."

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram
Today, our incredible DEA team in Mexico worked in partnership with Mexican authorities to capture and arrest Rafael Caro Quintero, who is charged in the United States with the torture and murder of DEA Special Agent Kiki Camarena and with many other crimes. For more than 30 years, the men and women of DEA have worked tirelessly to bring Caro Quintero to justice. Today’s arrest is the result of years of your blood, sweat, and tears. 

Without your work, Caro Quintero would not face justice. Thank you. I am grateful for each and every one of you. I am grateful also to the men and women of the Mexican Navy, Semar. We mourn the tragic deaths of the 14 Mexican marines who lost their lives today in service to their country. 

Sources Semar, Borderland Beat, Infobae, Infobae, Infobae, DOJ, DEA, Milenio