Alleged Ringleader For Sinaloa Cartel In Baja California 'El 90' Arrested Along With Six Others

Federal authorities in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur have arrested seven individuals linked to the Sinaloa cartel, including the alleged leader of the criminal cell, Isidro Enrique Ulibarria Cortez, also known as "El 90."

The incident took place in the municipality of Mulegé, a coastal community along the Gulf of California. Mexico's Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) reported that federal agents were ambushed by a group of armed men while conducting surveillance patrols in a nearby neighborhood.

Gunfire reportedly came from inside a property, but agents were able to repel the attack without injuries, multiple media outlets reported.

Following the shootout, authorities arrested seven individuals — including a minor — and seized two properties used as safe houses.

Personnel from the SSPC, National Guard, Secretariat of National Defense, Navy, and the Attorney General's Office (FGR) confiscated three modified vehicles used by the group to transport drugs, seven firearms, 2,559 cartridges, four grenades, 69 magazines and doses of suspected marijuana.

Authorities believe the arrests in Baja California Sur may be connected to a separate operation in Mexico City that led to the capture of Joel Alfonso Urrea Yuriar, also known as "El Gangoso," on April 14.

Intelligence reports allege that El Gangoso oversaw the production of crystal meth in clandestine labs in Puebla and Sinaloa and used properties in Mexico City as storage units.

He and another suspect arrested in the same operation, Javier Ernesto "N," are believed to have ties to the Sinaloa cartel. Authorities say both may be linked to recent armed drone attacks targeting federal forces in Sinaloa.

According to investigators, El Gangoso allegedly ordered an explosive drone attack against Mexican armed forces on March 23, in retaliation for a large drug shipment that had been seized from his criminal cell.