Alleged Chapitos Logistics Chief ‘El Peli’ Captured in Mazatlán as More Than 3,400 Federal Forces Reinforce the Port
Mexican federal forces arrested four people in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, including Jesús Antonio “N,” alias “El Peli,” whom Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch described as a key operator for the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, according to reporting by El Imparcial and El Financiero on September 22, 2026. The arrest came as thousands of additional soldiers, marines and federal agents have been deployed to the Pacific resort city.
What officials allege
García Harfuch announced the arrest on social media, El Imparcial reported. He identified “El Peli” as a “generador de violencia” (violence generator) and a relevant operator for Genaro Aarón “N” of Los Chapitos.
According to the information García Harfuch released, “El Peli” coordinated the organization’s logistics, supply and the money generated by drug sales, and took part in kidnappings. These are allegations from the security ministry; neither outlet reported any charges filed or court ruling, and he has not been convicted of any crime.
The other three people detained — reported by La Razón as two women and one man — had not been publicly identified as of September 22, El Imparcial said. Neither El Imparcial nor La Razón reported what, if anything, was seized.
Five agencies, one target
The operation was carried out jointly by the Defense Ministry, the Navy (Semar), the Security and Citizen Protection Ministry (SSPC), the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) and the National Intelligence Center, according to El Imparcial. García Harfuch said operations would continue “de manera permanente” to weaken and dismantle the criminal structures responsible for violence in Sinaloa.
A city under reinforcement
El Imparcial reported that the arrest was part of a security reinforcement in Mazatlán. In recent days, according to that outlet, the SSPC added 836 personnel, the Navy deployed 1,000 marines and the Defense Ministry moved in 1,600 troops, including 100 Special Forces members — more than 3,400 in total. The deployment is meant to strengthen patrols, surveillance and deterrence in the municipality and on Sinaloa’s main highways.
On September 18, members of the federal Security Cabinet met with Sinaloa’s interim governor, Graciela Domínguez Nava, and agreed to strengthen security strategies and state and municipal police capabilities, the newspaper said.
Sources
- El Imparcial (Adriana Zárate), “Tras reforzamiento de seguridad en Sinaloa, detienen en Mazatlán a ‘El Peli’…,” September 22, 2026
- El Financiero, “Detienen a ‘El Peli’, presunto operador de Los Chapitos, en Mazatlán,” September 22, 2026
- La Razón (Yosselin Pérez), “¿Quiénes son los integrantes de ‘Los Chapitos’ detenidos, que anunció Harfuch?,” September 22, 2026
Reported September 23, 2026, from Mexican media accounts of statements by the Security and Citizen Protection Ministry. The Narco Blog has not independently verified the allegations, and the detainees’ legal status may change.