In the latest development in Mexico's ongoing battle against organized crime, Jesús Guzmán Castro, known as "Chuy" or "Narizón," was apprehended in Culiacán, Sinaloa. Alleged to be a key figure within the Sinaloa Cartel, Chuy was aligned with "Los Mayitos," the faction loyal to Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, in the ongoing civil war within the cartel against the faction led by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán's sons, "Los Chapitos."
Authorities have linked Guzmán Castro to the distribution of cocaine into the United States. He faces charges including conspiracy, drug trafficking, and money laundering and is subject to an extradition request from U.S. authorities.
The arrest was confirmed by Mexico's Secretary of Security and Protection, Omar García Harfuch, today on social media and was carried out by elements of the army and the National Guard in the Tres Ríos sector of Culiacán. According to the Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC), the arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation that had tracked Guzmán Castro's movements for weeks.
Resultado de labores de investigación, en una acción encabezada por @SEMAR_mx y @FGRMexico en coordinación con el Gabinete de Seguridad se detuvo en Culiacán, Sinaloa a Jesús "N", alias "Chuy", integrante del "Cártel de Sinaloa", quien cuenta con una orden de aprehensión con… pic.twitter.com/u0tYgk3KBR
— Omar H Garcia Harfuch (@OHarfuch) May 6, 2025
Chuy is currently being held at the notorious maximum security prison, El Altiplano, while the United States prepares a formal extradition request. A U.S. federal indictment unsealed in 2021 charges him with conspiracy to traffic narcotics and participate in transnational organized crime.
The capture of Guzmán Castro coincides with a surge in violence across Sinaloa. On the day of his arrest, multiple municipalities, including Guamúchil, Mocorito, Culiacán, Navolato, and Escuinapa, experienced armed confrontations, road blockades, and homicides. These incidents are believed to stem from internal conflicts within the Sinaloa Cartel, exacerbated by the July 2024 arrest of "El Mayo" Zambada, which disrupted the cartel's leadership structure.
In response to the escalating violence, several schools in affected areas have suspended classes, and federal forces have intensified security operations. Despite these efforts, local authorities have provided limited information regarding the recent events.
The arrest of Guzmán Castro marks a notable achievement for Mexican federal forces, who have detained over 100 individuals linked to organized crime since October 2024. However, Sinaloa remains devastated by the conflict between the two factions.
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