Mexican authorities on Wednesday arrested Sinaloa Cartel’s Security Chief Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, alias “El Nini,” officials announced Thursday.
Perez Salas is the alleged security chief for a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel known as “Los Chapitos,” led by the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
Perez Salas is considered one of the most ruthless Mexican drug figures and was wanted by both the United States and Mexico, according to published reports.
Perez Salas was arrested on Wednesday in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, during a joint operation by the Mexican National Guard and the military. He was being held in custody in Mexico City while awaiting extradition to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking, conspiracy to import and distribute fentanyl, and witness retaliation.
After Mexican authorities arrested “El Nini,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland released the following statement:
“Mexico arrested Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, known as ‘El Nini,’ one of the Sinaloa Cartel’s top sicarios, or assassins, yesterday. We say that El Nini and his Chapitos security men killed, tortured, and abducted competitors, witnesses, and others until his arrest.
After El Nini’s arrest, I called Mexican Attorney General Gertz to praise him for the Mexican authorities’ bravery, which we all appreciate.
We want El Nini promptly extradited from Mexico to the US for justice.”