The recent extradition of Guatemalan Juan José Morales Cifuentes has dealt a severe blow to drug trafficking in Guatemala, as he is considered the leader of one of the most powerful clans in the country and a link between Guatemala and the Mexican Sinaloa cartel.
Better known as “Pancho,” Morales was extradited to the United States this year, after the US Department of the Treasury He was identified as the person responsible for supplying at least 4,000 kilograms of cocaine each month to high-level trafficking cells in Mexico, as well as collecting taxes from Mexican cartels for storing narcotics in border cities between the two countries.
Morales, head of the “Los Pochos” gang, heirs of “Los Chamalé,” one of the most powerful drug trafficking clans in Guatemala, joins six others who were brought before the U.S. justice system this year.
At the beginning of June, Juan José Cordón, alias “Tartajo”, was arrested. one of the most wanted extraditables in the countryaccording to Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez. Tartajo has been involved in drug trafficking since 2002, according to authorities, and has participated in developing “sources of drug supply from Colombia.”
Ronaldo Ventura Alvarado, known as “Bigotes,” was also arrested. He is wanted by the United States to answer for conspiracy and distribution of cocaine. The capture of the extraditable was classified by the North American nation as a “high impact” operation.
Likewise, Luis Enrique Ruiz Morales, alias “Manía”, was captured and identified as a “high-profile drug trafficker” by Guatemalan authorities, after linking him to the “Los Pochos” clan.
According to InSight Crime, a foundation dedicated to the study of insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean, criminal organizations in Guatemala are among the most sophisticated in Central America, some operating with the support of former members of the military, intelligence agencies, active members of the police, public officials and drug traffickers.
“Over time, family drug clans have given way to smaller, more discreet networks of logistics operators that transport drugs north,” he explains. InSight Crime profiles GuatemalaThey add that apart from trafficking, “Guatemala also grows marijuana, poppies and coca.”
Other Guatemalans extradited this year, belonging to small trafficking networks, are: Carlos Alexander Guerra, accused of “directing and conspiring” in drug trafficking activities; Jason Antonio Yang, accused of importing a mixture of fentanyl, in complicity with criminals in China, and Melvin Hilario Estrada and Víctor Francisco Gallegos Gallardo, accused of trafficking in smaller networks.
Guatemala has at least 400 kilometers of coastline, which is where much of the contraband entering and leaving the country is received and dispatched. According to InSight Crime, “the mountainous interior, combined with vast expanses of sparsely populated jungle” also facilitate drug cultivation and storage.
“Marijuana is grown throughout the country and authorities have discovered substantial amounts of poppy crops in high-altitude areas, especially near the western border with Mexico,” they explained in the investigation.
According to Guatemalan authorities, 5 tons of cocaine were seized in 2023, less than in 2022, when the government seized 5.9 tons. So far this year, Bernardo Arévalo’s government has seized more than 2.5 tons.
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channels Youtube, WhatsApp and to newsletter. Turn on notifications and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Add Comment