Major Drug Busts in Sinaloa: Four Linked to 'Los Chapitos' Apprehended, Key Beltrán Leyva Operative Captured

Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico – In a significant blow to the notorious "Los Chapitos" drug cartel, Mexican authorities have arrested four individuals attempting to evade inspection in Culiacán. The suspects, identified as Moisés Bernabé "El Berna," Noé Moreno "Ping Pong," Luis Antonio, and Jesús Iván, were apprehended in a white vehicle with a reported history of theft. Authorities seized four long guns, 18 magazines, bulletproof vests, and other contraband. In a separate operation in Los Mochis, Juan Pablo Bastidas Arenas, alias "El Payo," a key operative of the Beltrán Leyva cartel, was captured. This arrest was accompanied by the discovery of a large shipment of fentanyl and methamphetamine destined for the United States. "These arrests demonstrate the continued commitment to dismantling criminal organizations," stated a law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The combined seizures underscore the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and organized crime in Mexico.