Regional Sinaloa Cartel Leader 'El Tony' is Arrested by Mexican Authorities

As part of President Claudia Sheinbaum's "100 Day Plan" to contain the waves of violence that have scourged parts of northern Mexico, the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) secured the arrest of a major generator of violence in Tijuana with alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel.

Ángel "N," also known as "El Tony" is the latest high-profile cartel member arrested by Mexican authorities in recent weeks. He was captured along with three other gang members on Nov. 12 in the neighborhood of El Pípila, located less than 15 miles east of Tijuana. Authorities that took part in the operation that targeted a safe house used by the gang also seized two firearms, three vehicles, two cartridges and 75 bullets.

All the items seized as well as the alleged gang members were put at the disposal of Mexico's Attorney General's Office in Tijuana, where authorities will conduct the necessary investigations to determine their legal situation.

SEDENA reassured that the operation took place following strict guidelines and with respect to the suspect's basic human rights, emphasizing law enforcement's compromise of reducing cartel-related violence across the country.

Who is "El Tony"?

Despite his youthful looks, "El Tony" has been one of Tijuana's biggest generators of violence in recent times. He began his criminal career as a member of the Sinaloa Cartel and quickly climbed the organization's ladder to become a regional leader for the drug cartel in Tijuana.

"El Tony" is also linked to other crimes around the periphery of Tijuana, as well as in other cities in the state of Baja California.

Cartels fighting for control over Tijuana

For months, two of Mexico's most prominent drug cartels, the Sinaloa Cartel and the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, have been involved in fights over who controls territories along the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly focusing on Tijuana.

During the first half of 2024, the municipality of Tijuana recorded almost 1,000 homicides, practically the same amount as in all of 2023. As of mid-October, that number increased to 1,441 reported homicides, out of which 31% of them (461) took place since July. On average, Tijuana is reporting more than 150 homicides per month in 2024.

Most of the cases are related to drug trafficking but other cases like femicides have also seen a spike, with Tijuana recording 18 such crimes in the first half of the year, also almost twice as many as in all of 2023.

Earlier this year, a report from the city's Citizens Security Council revealed that, as of May, the city of Tijuana had seen crime go up by 20% compared to 2023. The group also reported that crime had gone up 31% compared to 2021.

The areas most affected by cartel-related violence are Calle Sexta and the neighborhood of La Mesa, widely popular due to their nightlife.

In one of the bars located in La Mesa known as "El Rincón del Peludo," seven homicides have been reported so far this year, with the most recent case taking place on Nov. 13.