Authorities Seize Several Properties Linked to Gulf Cartel Leader 'La Kena' Across Monterrey

"Morogris" for Borderland Beat

This is a continuation of yesterday’s story covering the arrest, which you can read here.

José Alberto García Vilano, alias La Kena, Ciclon 19, Cmdte or Comandante 19 or XIX, was arrested near Monterrey, Nuevo Leon yesterday

Following the apprehension of Gulf Cartel leader Jose Alberto Garcia Vilano, known as "La Kena" or "Ciclón 19" authorities have initiated raids on several of his properties in the Monterrey metropolitan area.

On Friday morning, they conducted searches at a residence in San Pedro Garza García, where the arrest took place, and another one in the Santiago municipality.

The initial property is located on Eugenio Garza Lagüera Avenue in the Lomas del Campestre neighborhood. Positioned in an upscale residential area, it overlooks a bustling avenue. The neighborhood is renowned for housing some of the wealthiest families in the region, including prominent politicians, businessmen, and celebrities.

Authorities reported the presence of a BMW 220i in the garage, believed to have been rented by La Kena during his stay in Monterrey.

Some drivers stopped momentarily to observe authorities raiding the property, and shared those pictures on social media. 

Google Street view from July 2021 of the property where La Kena was residing (click here for street view)

The Santiago property, located in El Barrial neighborhood, occupies a more extensive lot, as Santiago is less densely populated than San Pedro or the rest of Monterrey.

All the properties were seized and officially sealed, barring further access. During the investigation, marijuana and another unspecified drug were discovered inside one of the properties. Notably, no weapons were found during the operation.

During a press conference, Pedro Arce Jardón, a spokesperson for the Nuevo León Attorney General's Office, stated that La Kena was not a resident of San Pedro but was merely "visiting" for a brief period.

This property is in Santiago municipality, south of San Pedro Garza Garcia. Google Street view from June 2009 shows the property under construction (click here for street view)

More post-arrest details

Following La Kena's arrest yesterday, he was airlifted to the facilities of the State Investigatory Agency (AEI) in Monterrey. Multiple law enforcement units cordoned off the building and surrounding streets to thwart any potential cartel attempts to free La Kena. 

Investigators anticipate that he will be transferred to Mexico City in the coming days to appear before a federal judge and face multiple charges.

On the outskirts of Monterrey, a shootout erupted on Friday morning along the Nuevo Laredo-Monterrey federal highway between cartel gunmen and law enforcement. The exchange resulted in the death of at least one National Guard member, with another sustaining injuries.

Video of the shootout between law enforcement and cartel members outside of Monterrey a day after La Kena's arrest

Sources: Telediario; (2); El Norte (1); (2); (3); Milenio; (2); ABC Noticias