The Mexican government confirms Samuel Ibarra aka ‘El Pía’ was killed

Samuel Ibarra, aka ‘El Pía’ was killed in Mexico.

He was one of Los Chapitos.

Authorities confirm the details.

Authorities have confirmed the death of one of the Los Chapitos in a recent bloody episode on the northwest border of Mexico and the United States.

Violence erupted in the Gulf of Santa Clara in Sonora during the early hours of Tuesday, when a confrontation between two criminal groups resulted in seven deaths.

This territorial dispute between Los Chapitos and followers of Mayo Zambada dates back years, but it has intensified in Sonora due to its extensive border with the United States.

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El Pía was killed along with 6 others

Photo: Shutterstock vía Archivo MundoNOW

Authorities confirmed Samuel Ibarra Peralta, also known as ‘El Pía,’ was killed. He was the leader of the criminal group Los Chapitos or La Chapiza from the Sinaloa Cartel in the states of Sonora and Baja California.

El Pía was considered the ‘plaza boss’ of this dangerous cartel in a region marked by drug and arms trafficking, and particularly the totoaba fish bladder, nicknamed ‘the cocaine of the sea’ due to its high value in Asia.

According to EFE, he was the son of Jesús Aurelio Ibarra, also known as ‘Commander Aurelio.’

According to public security sources, the clash erupted when a convoy belonging to the criminal group Los Rusos, led by Juan José Ponce for El Mayo Zambada, broke into the region.

It was a dispute over territory

Photo: Mezcalent

The intention of was to wrest control of the plaza from Los Chapitos.

This territorial dispute between Los Chapitos and El Mayo Zambada’s followers dates back years, but it has intensified in Sonora due to its extensive border with the United States.

The region has become a critical point for illicit trafficking.

In addition to drugs and arms, criminal groups also traffic marine species such as totoaba swim bladders, sea cucumbers and even seahorses.

Suspects were arrested

Photo: Shutterstock vía Archivo MundoNOW

Authorities have reacted swiftly to the incident, confirming the arrest of 12 suspects and the seizure of seven trucks, two of which were armored.

However, fear has paralyzed the residents of the Gulf of Santa Clara, who are afraid to go out due to the violence plaguing their streets.

Fishing cooperatives have publicly stated that Los Chapitos extort sea workers, charging a «fee» to allow them to work.

This situation has further exacerbated the conflict in a region where marine life, including the vaquita marina, is threatened by poaching and illegal trafficking of species.

El Pía was killed in a grim reminder of the cartel’s impact on the region

Photo: Shutterstock vía Archivo MundoNOW

El Pía’s tragic death serves as a grim reminder of the rampant violence.

Organized crime has had a devastating impact on the coastal communities of Mexico, as well as on the delicate marine biodiversity of the region.

This comes as authorities struggle to contain the escalation of violence.

The hope of preserving both human security and the marine ecosystem hangs by a thread in this border region.