Borderland Beat's Most Impactful Stories of 2024

 "Socalj" for Borderland Beat

Stories by Borderland Beat Contributors

2024 saw cartel related news headlines hitting the mainstream with the apparent surrender, turned kidnapping and arrest of the Sinaloa drug lord, "El Mayo" Zambada, who had remained free in Mexico for well over three decades.

While overdose deaths have declined for the first time in years in the United States, fentanyl still remains the number one cause and on the agendas of law enforcement, politicians and traffickers. Cocaine plantations and methamphetamine trafficking has however increased as global markets in Europe, Oceano and Africa have expanded. 

Going into 2025, both the US and Mexico will have new government administrations with border issues ranging from immigration, drug trafficking and crime to trade tariffs high on their political agendas. 

Below is our list of some of the most important stories that have had a major impact on the drug trafficking and organized crime landscape of Mexico, the United States and beyond. Some of the most recent news will surely still have an impact the upcoming year as well!

Kidnapping Arrest of El Mayo & The Sinaloa War

The most talked about and still ongoing event of the year came on July 25, 2024 by way of a cloned BeechAir private plane landing at a small airport outside of El Paso Texas. The passengers were none other than two leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel. It seemed at first the pair, "El Mayo" and Jouquin Guzman Lopez had turned themselves in to US authorities as part of a deal.

However, that deal was not agreed to by "El Mayo" as he released a statement that fueled political coverup, international arrest warrants for treason and a violent internal war that erupted on September 9 in the heart of Sinaloa.

The full details of the events of that day would soon unravel. From a fake meeting with the Sinaloan Governor, setup by the Los Chapitos faction to lure Mayo into a trap that resulted in the death of a prominent politician and state police bodyguards would initially be covered up by Sinaloa authorities.

The war in Sinaloa and surrounding areas between the remaining Los Chapitos faction and those loyal to the Zambada family, MF bled into the new year as well.

Arrests of El Mayo and Joaquin

Initial Arrest Details - Joaquin

Initial Arrest Details - El Mayo

The Mysterious Flight

Treason Arrest Warrant

Kidnapping Details

AMLO Blames US for Sinaloa Violence

Sinaloa Governor Investigated

Political Murder Coverup

El Mayo's Letter 1

El Mayo's Letter 2

War In Sinaloa Begins

The Arrest of "Mini Lic"

It has become common for influential drug traffickers to cut deals with US authorities to testify against higher ups in exchange for usually around 5 years in federal prison. Some have been deported back to Mexico, some fled their US protection and found themselves dead in Mexico and a few have become media and YouTube sensations, telling their stories while remaining in the shadows in their new home in the United States.

Very few, if any at all have been re arrested for the same type of crime they cut deals for. Just a few weeks ago, Damaso "El Mini Lic" Serrano-Lopez was arrested for fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. It was learned by Borderland Beat the arrest was the result of wiretaps and undercover operations occurring over the previous months.

Despite his cooperation, Damaso is unlikely to get leniency this time, especially after making his handlers deal with public media appearances and the Ocran Leaks podcast. One such mobster turned informant, Sammy "The Bull" Gravano served 20 years in prison following his ecstasy distribution conspiracy conviction while in witness protection in Arizona.

Mini Lic Arrest

Cartel Violence in San Diego

It has been rare that direct cartel connected violence in the US has occurred, however with the younger generations of narcos often having dual citizenship or traveling to the US often it was bound to happen.
Following internal wars in Tijuana between remnants of the CAF and Sinaloa Cartel cells, several high level traffickers relocated to the San Diego area in Southern California. Namely James Bryant Corona, "El Apache", "El Chato" and "El Kado." Several operators for "Flaquito."

First, El Chato was shot and killed as he and another man (possibly Kado) were driving up to his luxury apartment complex. Months later, in Chula Vista, several shootings were connected with "El Apache" being injured outside of a Chili's resturant and the attempted killing of a man in a nearby apartment.

The attackers in the latter shooting included a pair of 15 year olds who were later arrested and a man found killed on the grass outside of the apartment, having been shot by the victim inside.

El Chato Killed
El Apache Wounded

Killing of "El Chore"

A large scale military and police operation resulted in the death of 7 people in Sinaloa and the seizure of multiple transportation trucks and luxury vehicles. It was later confirmed that one of the dead during the operation was "El Chore" the Los Chapitos plaza boss in El Dorado, Sinaloa.

Subsequent interviews of a relative, Cecilia Carrasco, of some of the dead men and teenagers, claimed them to be innocent and that her younger son was killed while going to work at the site. However, Borderland Beat dove into the cartel family connections of the Carrasco family, long intertwined with trafficking activity in the area.

Military Operation

7 Confirmed Dead

Vehicles Seized

Family Interview

Exposing the Carrasco Narco Family

Capture of "La Kena"

Last year's biggest story was the attack and kidnapping of several US citizens who had crossed the border. The surviving hostages were released, and the cartel apologized in their way by serving up the gunmen (or patsies) to Mexican authorities.

The leader in Matamoros, "La Kena," fled to Monterrey where he was arrested in the beginning of the year. However, corruption soon came into play as a judge ordered his release but quickly, another stopped that order and he remains behind bars.

Gulf Leader Captured

Release Ordered

Release Stopped

Menchito Found Guilty

It was believed, like many others, that the son of "El Mencho," would cut a deal. This was in the process of happening when suddenly, he changed lawyers and revoked the possibility of a guilty plea. This year, he went to trial that saw several Milenio and CJNG traffickers, including relatives of his from Los Cuinis testify against him. Prosecutors showed that "Menchito" had been involved in trafficking and arms procurement since a young age and he even continued after being arrested in Mexico. He was found guilty and is likely to serve decades instead of years.

Menchito Found Guilty

Mencho's Son-In-Law Faked Death & US Arrest

Not much later, the sudden arrest of the son in law of "El Mencho," was arrested. But not in Mexico, but in a large home paid for by a Jalisco Tequila company where he had been living under a false identity since he and Laisha G, Mencho's daughter had been suspected of ordering the kidnapping of two Mexican Marines following her mother's arrest.

Details emerged that "El Mencho" himself helped to spread rumors he ordered the death of Cristian, allowing him to flee to the US where he was discovered after Mexico issued an Interpol Red Notice for his arrest. A few short weeks after, "El Mencho's" capture reward was increased to $15 million USD.

Faked Death and US Arrest

Los Zetas Patrón Osiel Released in US & Arrested in Mexico

One of the most notorious drug traffickers, Osiel Cardenas Guillen was released from US federal prison. It was unknown initially if he would remain in the US, as he had cooperated with authorities, or be deported and see charges in Mexico. This was the case as he was quickly arrested and charged as the former leader of the Gulf Cartel and patron of the infamous Los Zetas who took over the cartel following his extradition in 2007.

In the last few years, Osiel's relatives have battled for control over the remnants of CDG. Both his son and nephew have been released from US and Mexican prisons respectively, it was thought Osiel's return to Mexico would reshape the narco landscape, but Mexico has sought to prevent this by formally charging him.

Osiel Released from US Prison

Incorrectly Reported as Being Released

Osiel Deported from US

What was the most important story or article from Borderland Beat this past year?

Share your pick and why in the comments.

View Borderland Beat's Top Stories of 2023