The Attorney General of the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico, Óscar Montes de Oca, announced the capture of Héctor F., alias “El 15,” just before he was to undergo surgery to change his face so he could escape to the United States.
Montes de Oca explained in a press conference that “El 15” was arrested in Sinaloa, Guamúchil, just as he was about to enter a clinic to undergo the facial transformation. It was discovered that he had already undergone some hair grafts and was planning to change his appearance.
The investigations to locate the drug trafficker lasted between 7 and 8 months, and the capture was finally achieved thanks to the coordination between various federal and state institutions in Quintana Roo and Sinaloa.
The Quintana Roo Prosecutor’s Office offered a reward of one million pesos (around 60,000 dollars) for information leading to the location of “El 15.” The detainee is currently in custody at the Benito Juarez Social Reinsertion Center, awaiting the resolution of his legal situation.
“El 15” is suspected of committing several violent acts and murders in Cancun and other places. He is considered one of the leaders of the Cartel del Pacífico, assuming the position after the arrest of Leticia Rodríguez, known as “doña Leti.”
During the capture of the capo, security protocols were activated due to the possibility of violence. In addition, three people were arrested for allegedly placing “narcomantas” in different areas of Cancun, some of which contained threats to demand the release of the leader of the Pacific Cartel, according to the prosecutor.
“El 15” will face homicide charges, although the prosecutor said that the charges could increase as the investigations progress. On the other hand, the Secretary of Citizen Security, Rubén Oyarvide Pedrero, denied that the simultaneous operation carried out in all the state’s prisons was related to the capture of the drug lord.