Arrest of Luis Antonio Yépez AKA El Monedas, Son Of El Marro, Confirmed

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

The arrest of three people linked to the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel provoked several drug blockades in the state and left a firefighter dead.

Luis Antonio Yépez Cervantes, better known as "El Monedas" or "El Sonic," was arrested on the afternoon of Sunday, January 7 in an operation by security forces in Guanajuato. The capture of the son of José Antonio Yepez Ortíz, alias "El Marro", provoked several narco-blockades in the municipality of Celaya, which left a firefighter dead.

State authorities confirmed the arrest of the member of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel (CSRL) after uploading his record in the National Registry of Arrests, which states that "El Monedas" was caught at 2:20 p.m. in the San Antonio de Maravillas neighborhood, in the municipality of Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas.

In addition, a photograph of him being brought before the Public Prosecutor's Office has already been circulated, where Luis Antonio Yépez can be seen wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and white tennis shoes.

Guanajuato authorities confirmed that two other people, identified as Giovani "N" and Cristian "N", both 18 years old, were arrested along with "El Sonic". During the arrest, a Dodge pickup truck, marijuana and crystal meth, as well as weapons were seized.

Three detainees and seized property

The detainees were driving on the road to San Antonio Morales when they were seen by the authorities, who signaled them to stop; however, the group did not pay attention and responded to the public servants with gunshots, initiating a chase.

This Monday, the Attorney General's Office of the State of Guanajuato said through a brief statement that in relation to the events that occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Laja-Bajio region, the agency is integrating the corresponding investigation files for the murder of Felipe "N", an element of Celaya Firefighters, and criminal acts that violated public peace.

In addition, the agency stated that it is working in coordination with the Attorney General's Office (FGR), which is dealing with the crimes of carrying weapons and rounds, as well as crimes against health".

Who is "El Monedas", heir to the CSRL?

Luis Antonio Yépez, alias "El Monedas", 22 years old, is a senior member of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel structure, but not the leader, since the current leader is Karem Lizbeth Yépez Ortiz, sister of "El Marro".

Also known as "El Sonic", he is the son of José Antonio Yépez and Elsa Marisol Martínez Prieto, nicknamed "La Güera", who founded the aforementioned cartel that operates especially in the state of Guanajuato.

El Marro' has been detained since August 2020.

The arrest of José Antonio Yépez Ortíz occurred on August 2, 2020 during an operation in the municipality of Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas, Guanajuato, conducted by the Mexican Army, the National Guard and the Guanajuato State Attorney General's Office. This event marked a significant moment in the fight against the cartel, which is heavily implicated in crimes such as fuel theft, extortion and drug trafficking.

The operation also led to the release of a kidnapped businesswoman, which was celebrated as an important step in the dismantling of the criminal structure that has generated a wave of violence in the region.

The arrest of "El Marro", along with five other people, was the result of patient intelligence work over several months. The capture of the leader was not only symbolic but also served to demonstrate the authorities' determination to combat organized crime. Today, the leadership of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel has changed, passing to his sister Karem Lizbeth Yépez Ortiz. The operation has dealt a strategic blow to the operational and financial heart of the cartel, leaving "La Güera" as the mother figure linked to overseeing illicit finances.

Infobae