The Mexican justice system decides that the family does come first
In a turn of events that no one saw coming (well, maybe yes, but let’s feign surprise), the Attorney General’s Office has achieved what many consider a slightly late Christmas gift: the link to process of Mario Lindoro Elenes and Mario Alfredo Lindoro Navidad. Your credentials? Nothing special, just being the father-in-law and brother-in-law of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, that young family entrepreneur in charge of the “Los Chapitos” business. Because, of course, in drug trafficking dynasties, family gatherings are not for exchanging recipes, but for operations with resources of illicit origin. They were arrested in Jalisco just before Christmas Eve, demonstrating that for authorities, the season of “give and take” also applies to unofficial preventive detention.
A judge, probably in the Christmas spirit of “an eye for an eye”, confirmed that his ideal place to reflect was not the family table, but a cell. The Federal Public Ministry of the Prosecutor’s Office Specialized in Organized Crime presented sufficient evidence, which makes us wonder: could it be the invoices for Christmas shopping? Not quite. Dad Lindoro is charged with simple possession of methamphetamine hydrochloride (a dangerous snack), possession of a firearm (in case the visits are too heavy) and, of course, managing the family’s finances. For the son, Mario Alfredo, they added a touch of fentanyl to the accusation, because in this family they clearly believe in product diversification.
A Christmas raid with all the extras
The operation was an exemplary collaboration: the Security Cabinet, the SSPC and the Secretary of National Defense working side by side to ensure that these gentlemen did not spend the New Year at home. Since December 25, his address is the Puente Grande federal prison. His defense, with unwavering faith in legal magic, asked for more time to “gather evidence in his favor.” One imagines the frantic search for a witness who swears that the seven bags of drugs were actually king flour. But it didn’t work. This Tuesday the 30th, the judge decided that, indeed, linking them to the process was a great idea.
And what was seized during this peculiar home visit in Zapopan? Oh, just the typical possessions of any common citizen: seven bags of drugs, four handguns, ammunition, two pickup trucks, a high-end vehicle (because luxury is a *must*), a motorcycle, phones and cash. Nothing out of the ordinary, wow. The FGR, in an act of generosity, granted them three months of complementary investigation. Enough time for investigators to try to decipher the creative accounting of these alleged financial operators of the cartel.
In short, while you were putting away the decorations, the Mexican State was packing two new tenants for the federal prison system. A valuable lesson: If you marry a Guzmán, make sure the prenuptial contract includes provisions for serial legal defense. The fight against drug trafficking advances, sometimes, capturing not only the big fish, but also the in-laws who hold their wallets.
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