Mexican soldiers kill suspected cartel leader as anti-crime campaign escalates
Authorities said Barragán Chávez led extortion against avocado growers and was wanted in the United States on drug and firearms charges.
- 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.
108 Articles
108 Articles
The Ministry of National Defense (Defense) confirmed that during an operation last Monday in the municipality of Tocumbo, Michoacán, Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez, El Güicho or R5 was killed, identified as leader of the Los Reyes cartel, an organization dedicated to drug trafficking and extortion of agricultural producers.
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The deceased had a provisional arrest warrant.
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
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