El Mini Lic Reportedly Arrested on Fentanyl Trafficking Charges in US

By Borderland Beat Contributors

The news of his possible arrest first came from narco journalist Luis Chaparro's X page posting:

EXCLUSIVE: FBI sources just confirmed to me Dámaso López Serrano, ‘El Mini-Lic’ was just apprehended in the Virginia area for “fentanyl trafficking charges”.

"Despite in 2017 making a self surrender and cooperation, the Sinaloan narco Damaso "Mini Lic" has been re-arrested for fentanyl trafficking, according to reports." posted author Ioan Grillo when sharing Luis' X post.

Dámaso López Serrano, known as "El Mini Lic" turned himself in to US authorities in 2017 at the Calexico border. This came several months after his father Dámaso López Núñez was arrested in Mexico City for drug trafficking for the Sinaloa Cartel.

His father, Dámaso López  Nunez, is known as "El Licenciado." He had helped "El Chapo" escape in 2001 from Puente Grande prison and went on to become a collaborator with Chapo and a leader within the Sinaloa Cartel.

MIni Lic became a cooperating witness and was released from prison in 2022 on parole after serving a reduced sentence of 72 months for his cooperation. It was initially believed he might be deported back to Mexico however he has remained in the US since his release.

He also has pending cases with Mexican authorities. The FGR issued an arrest warrant against him in January 2020, for his alleged part in the murder of journalist Javier Valdez and could have faced those charges had be been deported.

Last year, Dámaso submitted his responses to Borderland Beat on the letter sent by Los Chapitos denying their trafficking of fentanyl after being charged in a large scale indictment in April 2023.

He provided interviews to several media outlets and started a podcast Ocran Leaks calling out Sinaloa narcos and sharing stories and information on the since splintered Sinaloa Cartel. 

A new episode of his podcast was posted to YouTube earlier today, however as it was pre-recorded it likely was scheduled to launch ahead of time.

UPDATES

A source within US law enforcement confirmed to Borderland Beat that "El Mini Lic" was arrested.

The FBI confirmed to El Universal that the United States Marshals Service was the one who arrested a high-value subject. The DEA is aware and in communication as well, but it is the Marshals who have him in custody.

2018 Plea Deal Details

Lopez-Serrano pled guilty in 2018, and accepted responsibility for his role as a leader within the Sinaloa Cartel, acknowledging that he organized the transportation and distribution of thousands of kilograms of controlled substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, for importation from Mexico into the United States. Lopez-Serrano also admitted to possessing firearms for the purpose of promoting the Sinaloa Cartel’s narcotics trafficking activities.

Judge Dana M. Sabraw recognized the advances of El Mini Licenciado and believed in his sincerity out of regret, due to the fact that he worked to compensate for the damage he caused in the Sinaloa Cartel.

He must hand over a million dollars as forfeiture of proceeds from the sale of narcotics. He had also testified against his godfather, "El Chapo" Guzmán at his New York trial in 2019.

Sources Luis Chaparro, Ioan Grillo, Borderland Beat