Mexican soldiers kill suspected cartel leader as anti-crime campaign escalates
- On Sunday, Mexican military intelligence–led forces killed Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez, an alleged Los Reyes Cartel leader known as 'Wicho,' during an operation in Tocumbo, Michoacán following a shootout.
- Wanted in the United States and subject to a $3 million reward, Barragán Chávez allegedly led extortion targeting regional avocado growers; the Justice Department charged him in August 2025 with drug-trafficking conspiracy.
- Following the August capture of Alfonso Fernández Magallón, alias 'Poncho,' Barragán Chávez assumed control of the Los Reyes Cartel. Public Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch noted these operations removed top leaders within one month.
- Designated by The State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in February 2025, Cárteles Unidos—the broader alliance involving the Los Reyes Cartel—traffics methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine to the United States.
- Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla confirmed that security forces remain deployed in avocado-producing municipalities including Tocumbo and Cotija to prevent power vacuums and combat persistent extortion.
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Mexico's military kills avocado-extortion ringleader 'R5,' one other in surprise shootout
While carrying out an operation in Tocumbo, Michoacán, Mexican Army troops and a Navy plane came under attack and returned fire, killing Luis Enrique Barragán, known as "El Güicho" and "R5," and an unidentified victim. The post Mexico’s military kills avocado-extortion ringleader ‘R5,’ one other in surprise shootout appeared first on Mexico News Daily
Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez, alias "R5," leader of the Reyes cartel in Mexico, was killed by the Mexican Army. The United States had offered a $3 million reward for his capture. "R5" was the main coordinator of extortion against avocado producers in the state of Michoacán, known for its "green gold." Report by our correspondent, Jorge Hurtado.
Mexican soldiers kill suspected cartel leader as anti-crime campaign escalates
Mexican soldiers killed a suspected leader of the Los Reyes cartel in western Mexico, the defense ministry said on Tuesday, as Mexico continues to escalate its war against cartels and organized crime.
Mexican security forces shot and killed the leader of a criminal group Luis Enrique Barragan
'El Wicho,' Los Reyes Cartel Leader in Michoacán, Killed in Army Operation
Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez, 'El Wicho' or 'R-5,' second-in-command of the Cártel de Los Reyes, was killed in an Army operation in Los Reyes, Michoacán. The U.S. had offered US$3 million for his capture. The post ‘El Wicho,’ Los Reyes Cartel Leader in Michoacán, Killed in Army Operation appeared first on The Rio Times.
The Mexican government confirmed this Tuesday the downfall of Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez, alias El Güicho or R5, leader of the Los Reyes Cartel and noted as one of the most...
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