'El Tochín,' Leader of Armed Group Answering to Sinaloa Cartel Faction, Arrested in Mexican Casino

Mexican authorities in the neighborhood of Televisora, located in the border city of Mexicali, Baja California, secured the arrest of an alleged leader of the violent group known as "Los Rusos," the armed wing of "La Mayiza," a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel involved in a violent turf war in Northern Mexico.

According to members of the National Migration Institute (INM) and Baja California law enforcement, Gerardo Rueda Torres, also known as "El Tochín" was captured inside the Hooro casino, located 800 meters away from Mexicali's main police base.

"El Tochín," the criminal was then turned over to authorities in the United States, as Rueda Torres had outstanding an arrest warrant in U.S. soil for more than seven years.

"According to our C5 database and with information shared by the U.S. Marshals Service, we were informed that the suspect had an arrest warrant," said Mexican authorities before turning him over.

Local news outlet Seminario Zeta revealed that "El Tochín" was also put at the disposal of U.S. authorities because Rueda Torres was originally born in Stanford, California.

Who is "El Tochín?"

Authorities detailed that Rueda Torres was one of the area's biggest "generators of violence" and had an important position within the structure of "Los Rusos," the armed wing that protects "La Mayiza" in their internal battle against "Los Chapitos."

Mexican officials believe "El Tochín" is responsible for the attempted murder of Agustín Jaime Brambila, a deputy director of Mexicali's public safety agency, who was attacked by alleged members of "Los Rusos" earlier this year.

Who are "Los Rusos"?

The group known as "Los Rusos" is a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel who remain loyal to Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. They are a similar clique to "Los Ninis," who serve as a violent armed wing and security personnel for "Los Chapitos."

"Los Rusos" are believed to be led by Jesús Alexander Sánchez Félix, also known as "El Ruso." They control drug smuggling routes in Baja California and other areas near the U.S. border.

Since Ovidio Guzmán's first arrest in 2019, "Los Rusos" and "Los Chapitos" have been at war with each other, as authorities believe Zambada's security personnel received orders to not engage in the wave of violent retaliation by Sinaloa Cartel members in response to Ovidio Guzmán's arrest.

Since at least 2020, "Los Rusos" were relocated to San Luís Río Colorado, in Sonora, to defend smuggling territories from "Los Chapitos."