Leader of 'Los Reyes' cartel transferred to Mexico City; defense points to drone attacks on military

Alfonso Fernández Magallón, alias "Poncho La Quiringua," identified as the leader of the "Los Reyes" cartel, has been arrested along with two collaborators in Imbarácuaro, Los Reyes, Michoacán. The group was subsequently transferred to the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in Matters of Organized Crime (FEMDO) facilities in Mexico City.

The Secretariat of National Defense (Defensa) reported that elements of the Army and National Guard apprehended "Poncho La Quiringua" in a precise operation, during which drugs, weapons, and various munitions were seized. According to the Defense Ministry, Fernández Magallón was a close associate of Juan José Farías Álvarez, "El Abuelo," the leader of the Tepalcatepec Cartel. This cartel operates in several municipalities, including Cotija, Tocumbo, Los Reyes, Buenavista Tomatlán, and Peribán, engaging in vehicle theft, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking.

The Defense Ministry holds "Poncho La Quiringua" responsible for drone attacks targeting military personnel. These incidents reportedly occurred in Cotija last year, and in Tingüindín and Jacona, Michoacán, in June and July of the current year, resulting in several fatalities. The capture was the result of intelligence work by the XII Military Region, which has jurisdiction over Michoacán.

Fernández Magallón's arrest is a significant blow to organized crime in the region, highlighting the ongoing efforts by Mexican security forces to dismantle cartel operations. The charges against him, including his alleged involvement in fatal drone attacks, underscore the evolving tactics used by criminal organizations in their confrontations with authorities.