The Narco Blog

A Machine Gun, 3 Pistols and More Than 400 Rounds: ‘El Pokémon’ and 3 Others Arrested in Culiacán, Sinaloa, as Alleged Los Chapitos Gunsmiths — U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Helped Find the Homes

By The Narco Blog · October 16, 2026 · Updated October 16, 2026

Mexican government photo sheet of four men detained in Culiacán, Sinaloa, labeled Mario N, Germán N, Pavel N and Adolfo N, with their eyes covered by black bars — The four men detained in Culiacán, Sinaloa, among them Mario Alberto G., alias “El Pokémon,” as shown by Mexican authorities. Photo: SSPC (Mexican government, Libre Uso MX), via La Crónica.

Mexican federal and Sinaloa state forces have arrested four men in Culiacán, Sinaloa, including Mario Alberto G., alias “El Pokémon.” Mexico’s Security Cabinet says the four belonged to a cell that trafficked, moved, maintained and repaired weapons for the Sinaloa Cartel. Infobae reported on Oct. 16, 2026, that the cell supplied guns to Los Chapitos, the faction run by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s sons. Infobae and Luz Noticias, citing officials, said the targeted homes were identified in part through information shared by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

A machine gun with a wooden stock, a pistol with a magazine, and a bag of rifle cartridges seized in Culiacán — A machine gun, a pistol and cartridges that Mexican authorities say were seized from the alleged weapons cell in Culiacán. Photo: FGR (Mexican government, Libre Uso MX), via Infobae.

Who was detained

Infobae and La Crónica report that two of the four, Germán G. and Mario Alberto G. (“El Pokémon”), had outstanding arrest warrants for organized crime and arms trafficking. Infobae named the other two as Adolfo G. and Pavel Santiago R. and said they were linked to the same cell. Línea Directa wrote that all four had warrants, which differs from the other outlets. Outlets also spell the alias “Pokemón.”

Luz Noticias and Línea Directa place the operation at a house in Colonia Industrial Bravo, Culiacán. According to Luz Noticias, the men tried to escape through the back of the property when they saw the authorities, and Sinaloa state police special operations officers (GOES) stopped them. Neither outlet gave the time of the arrests.

What was seized

Luz Noticias lists a 7.62 mm machine gun, two .45-caliber pistols, a 9 mm pistol, magazines including two 9 mm drum magazines, cartridge belt bags, about 200 doses (roughly 90 grams) of suspected methamphetamine, and a tow truck with no theft report. Línea Directa lists the same main items. The cartridge count varies by outlet. Infobae and La Crónica report 417. Línea Directa’s breakdown of 385 rounds of 7.62 mm, 25 of 9 mm and 10 of .45 adds up to 420.

What happens next

The men and the evidence were handed to federal prosecutors (FGR), who will determine their legal status. Officials named the U.S. agency only for its help in locating the homes. The outlets did not report any U.S. charges or extradition request against the four.

A Luz Noticias video report on the arrests:

Sources

Reported Oct. 16, 2026, from the outlets above and the Security Cabinet statement as they describe it. The four men have not been convicted and are presumed innocent. Their alleged roles come from Mexican authorities’ statements as reported by these outlets.