Sinaloa Authorities Capture 'El Quinientos,' Wanted In The U.S. For Drug Trafficking

Military personnel in the Mexican state of Sinaloa captured a man wanted in the U.S. for committing crimes against people's health and safety through drug trafficking.

During an operation called "Operativo Sinaloa" led by Mexico's Attorney General's Office, members of the National Guard, Interpol and units of Mexico's Ministry of Defense (SEDENA) along with the Navy secured the arrest of Jehonany Alexander Valdéz Serrano, also known as "El Quinientos", "Napoléon," and "El Ingeniero."

Authorities secured the arrest of Valdéz Serrano in the capital city of Culiacán. In a statement, government agencies revealed that they were able to locate "El Quinientos" after doing surveillance patrols around the area where he liked to prowl. After the arrest he was put at the disposal of another government agency which will determine whether he is extradited to the U.S.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) had been looking for "El Quinientos" as part of an international investigation. He is wanted by the U.S. District Court Southern District of California for crimes against people's health and safety as well as for its role in illicit activities such as drug trafficking.

Despite his arrest, authorities are yet to confirm if "El Quinientos" worked for the Sinaloa Cartel.

Key arrests of cartel leaders

During Claudia Sheinbaum's administration, government officials have put emphasis on combating criminal organizations by capturing "generators of violence," regional leaders as well as members of armed wings that work for Mexico's major drug trafficking cartels.

Among the most prominent arrests is that of Jorge Luis Mendoza Uriarte, commonly known as "El Güero Chompas." Mendoza Uriarte was apprehended on Nov. 9 along with nine other cartel members in the small town of Las Milpas, in Sinaloa.

"El Güero Chompas" was one of the Sinaloa Cartel's leaders in the Baja California region, where he was in charge of controlling drug smuggling routes along the border.

Marcelino Ticante Castro, also known as "El Fantasma (The Ghost)," was also captured by military personnel in Sinaloa last month. Before his arrest, "El Fantasma" served as head of security for "Los Chapitos" and was the right-hand man of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán for years.

Edwin Antonio Rubio López, a.k.a "El Max" was among the first high-profile arrests made by the Sheinbaum administration in October.