Title: Ex-Cártel del Golfo Leader, Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, Gets Formal Prison Charge for Drug-Related Crimes
In a significant development in the ongoing war against organized crime, the General Attorney’s Office (FGR) has announced that it has secured an auto de formal prisión against Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, the former leader of the Gulf Cartel. Cárdenas Guillén, also known as ‘El Mata Amigos,’ is charged with organized crime in conjunction with health-related crimes.
Investigations carried out by the federal corporation reveal that Cárdenas Guillén established alliances with members of various criminal groups and was involved in drug trafficking activities in the ports of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, and Guerrero. Based on the evidence presented by the federal public prosecutor, a judge from the Fourth District Court in Penal Matters, based in Toluca, State of Mexico, issued the auto de formal prisión.
Consequently, Cárdenas Guillén will remain behind bars at the Cefereso Number 1 in Almoloya de Juárez. An auto de formal prisión is a precautionary measure imposed by a judge to ensure the accused’s presence throughout the legal process.
This development comes a day after the confirmation of a formal prison charge against Cárdenas Guillén for the crime of homicide. In this case, the authorities accuse him of being involved in the deaths of six individuals who were family members of a protected witness.
It is essential to remember that Cárdenas Guillén’s extradition from the United States on December 16 revealed the existence of at least three active arrest warrants against him. The first, related to health-related crimes, was executed that same day upon his delivery to Mexican authorities in Tijuana, Baja California. The second, for homicide, was carried out on December 18 within the Altiplano Prison.
Of the active arrest warrants currently, the one related to organized crime remains pending execution. Additionally, the FGR and the Secretariat of Public Security and Civic Engagement (SSPC) have indicated that they plan to reopen at least seven criminal cases against him.
These federal criminal cases investigate Cárdenas Guillén’s potential responsibility for various crimes, including health-related offenses, illegal operations with resources, bribery, arms and ammunition possession, and gun-related crimes.
