Navy Goes After 'El Primito', Regional Head Of CJNG; Seizes Weapons, Jaguar, Monkeys And Rockets

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

The eight properties searched were located in the town of 'Las Naranjas'; more operations are expected in the next few days.

These actions are part of the maritime, air and land surveillance operations carried out by the Secretariat of the Navy. 

The Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) informed about an important seizure of military cargo found in eight properties in the town of Las Naranjas, municipality of Pihuamo, between the borders of the states of Jalisco and Michoacán.

According to the Semar, the properties allegedly belong to a "leader of a criminal organization" and were searched on December 2 through field and cabinet work.

The Marines managed to secure more than 30 high-end vehicles; approximately ten long arms; 16 rockets; rounds and magazines of various calibers; as well as tactical equipment, bulk ammunition and telescopic sights.

Elements of the Sedena and the FGR also participated in these operations.

Semar explained in a press release that they were also able to secure exotic species during these raids: a jaguar, three monkeys, five macaws, four horses and approximately 900 roosters.

Elements of the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) and the Special Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO) of the Attorney General's Office (FGR), as well as the Federal Ministerial Police also participated in these raids.

The Mexican Navy explained that the investigation is in process, in the next few days it could confirm the seizure of more properties.

The armed forces were also able to secure exotic species during these raids.

The Semar and the FGR have not mentioned the name of the criminal leader to whom these properties belong; however, the newspaper El Universal, citing sources from the security cabinet, assured that the homes belong to César Morfín, alias El Primito, regional head of the CJNG.

El Primito has been accused by the Grupo Escorpión and Metros factions of the Gulf Cartel of betraying the criminal organization.

"For the society of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, and its surroundings. The war that has been unleashed in recent days is aimed at overthrowing the gang of rats of Primito and Sanchez, plus they are henchmen, as they have been dedicated to diverting the income of our company to the state of Jalisco, benefiting the CJNG, so that they can take over more states with the money from our lands," reads a narco message that was released in early July this year.

The operations in Jalisco by the armed forces continue after the arrest on November 25 in the municipality of Tapalpa of Juan Carlos Pizano Ornelas, alias CR, head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in the municipalities of San Gabriel, Zapotitlan and Tapalpa.

CR's arrest triggered a reaction from the CJNG's hitmen, who attacked the military, who used a helicopter gunship to shoot at the vehicles where armed men opened fire with long-barrelled weapons.

The properties allegedly belong to a "leader of a criminal organization".

This confrontation was recorded by residents of the municipality who captured the moment from different points, in which the military aircraft can be seen firing its machine gun.

According to journalist Jorge Fernández Menéndez, El CR was linked to the kidnapping of Colonel José Isidro Grimaldo Muñoz and operated under the direct orders of Juan Carlos Valencia González, alias El 03, regional head of the CJNG, who is also said to be the unacknowledged son of El Mencho, leader of the "four letters" cartel.

The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office detailed that this person was seized, among other things, two long arms and a short one, rounds of different calibers, five grenades and fentanyl pills, for which he was placed at his disposal for the aforementioned crimes.

On December 1, the FGR reported that a District Judge Specializing in the Accusatory Criminal System assigned to the Federal Criminal Justice Center in the State of Mexico, with residence in Toluca, sent Juan Carlos "P" to trial.

Arrest of 'El CR' sparks shootout between GN and CJNG

The Mexican authorities are charging him for his probable responsibility in the crimes of organized crime, possession of firearms, possession of rounds and magazines, all for the exclusive use of the Armed Forces; against health in the form of commerce and attempted homicide.

The judicial authority imposed as a precautionary measure an official pre-trial detention, which he must serve in CEFERESO 1, better known as El Altiplano, and granted six months for the complementary investigation.

Las Naranjas, Jalisco

Infobae  El Universal