Cartel Armed Wing Leader Allegedly Responsible For the Recent Arrests of High-Profile Members of 'Los Chapitos'

The recent arrests of high-profile members of "Los Chapitos" are no mere coincidence. According to reports from Mexican outlets, authorities were able to find and capture the criminal organization's security chief and its financial operator thanks to intel collected from Jorge Humberto Figueroa Benítez, also known as "La Perris."

Just last week, the Sinaloa cartel clique known as Los Chapitos, led by Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán, sons of "El Chapo," was ambushed by federal agents in Culiacán. The operations landed the arrest of four high-profile cartel members while Iván Archivaldo managed to escape via a tunnel.

But according to intelligence reports gathered by Milenio, La Perris was the one that turned them in. Also known as "El 27," Figueroa Benítez serves as the head of the armed wing known as "Los Ninis," who offers protection to Los Chapitos.

The motive behind his treason, according to reports, is that La Perris is allegedly looking to switch sides and join Ismael Zambada Sicairos, son of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and leader of "La Mayiza." In case authorities capture Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, La Perris would then take over territories controlled by Los Chapitos.

Intelligence reports suggest La Perris resides in the Sinaloa municipalities of Navolato, Mocorito and Badiraguato after being "exiled" from Culiacán when federal agents almost captured him in two separate occasions last year.

According to reports, his first betrayal took place in early February, when he leaked information about the whereabouts of Mauro Alejandro "N," the pilot that allegedly helped Los Chapitos transport El Mayo Zambada against his will to the U.S., where he was later arrested.

The second instance took place on Feb. 19, when members of the Mexican Army and the National Guard arrested José Ángel Canobbio Inzunza, alias "El Güerito," the right-hand man of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán and financial operator of the cartel. The apprehensions also included that of Kevin Alonso Gil Acosta, known as "El 200," a security chief for Los Chapitos and the main person in charge of purchasing weapons.

Before his arrest, Canobbio Inzunza was in charge of planning and coordinating fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine shipments throughout Mexico and abroad. El Güerito also counted with the support of two armed wings loyal to Los Chapitos in Sinaloa and Sonora: "Los Güeritos" and "Los Chimales."

As his power within the criminal organization grew, reports suggest La Perris grew jealous of Canobbio Inzunza, which led him to reveal information about his whereabouts to federal agents. He leaked information about the areas they frequented as well as the vehicles they used to move around the city.

Although the ambush landed the arrest of four high-profile members of Los Chapitos, Archivaldo Guzmán managed to escape by using a tunnel in the neighborhood of Tierra Blanca, in Culiacán.

The tunnel reportedly has a length of more than 2,600 feet and connects the two properties through an exit built in the bathroom. While investigating the scene, authorities found shovels and buckets that were allegedly used for its construction as well as some ventilation devices, which facilitated air circulation throughout the slim tunnel.