Los Malcriados 3AD criminal group remains under radar

Los Malcriados 3AD, a criminal organization operating in Mexico City, remains under scrutiny for its involvement in drug dealing, extortion, and homicide. The group was once led by Lenin Canchola, a high-priority target for authorities who was apprehended in Monterrey in July 2022. Canchola received a 50-year prison sentence for kidnapping and criminal association.

Indictments reveal that Los Malcriados 3AD has been active for years, engaging in various illicit activities. In May 2026, law enforcement officials seized over a ton of marijuana, specifically 1,278 kilograms, from the trailer of a truck, apprehending four individuals believed to be linked to the group. This seizure highlights the ongoing drug trafficking operations associated with Los Malcriados.

The group's operational structure and leadership have seen significant disruption. Francisco "N," also known as "El Frank" or "El Pañal," who served as Canchola's primary enforcer and head of a homicide and extortion cell, was arrested in June 2022. El Frank was responsible for carrying out murders of rivals and extorting businesses, particularly in the Álvaro Obregón and Cuajimalpa areas. He is also suspected of attacking SSC police officers in April 2022.

Further arrests of Los Malcriados members occurred in January 2024, with six individuals detained for extortion and kidnapping. The group has also been implicated in disputes with rival criminal organizations, such as Los Chacales and Los Cuervos, over territorial control in Álvaro Obregón and Cuajimalpa. Additionally, Los Malcriados have been accused of collaborating with public officials in Cuajimalpa, suggesting a level of corruption within their operations.

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Canchola fue capturado en Monterrey, Nuevo León, el 1 de julio de 2022, trasladado a la Ciudad de México y sentenciado a 50 años de prisión por el delito de secuestro y asociación delictuosa.