"Big Mama" & Crew Arrested in Mexican Truck Theft Operation
Mexican "Big Mama," alleged cartel-linked truck thief, busted with 4 others after offering bribe to cops. Accused of running major auto theft ring and paying CJNG for protection. Ex-cop among those arrested.
Move over, El Chapo, there's a new, albeit slightly less intimidating, name in the Mexican underworld: "Big Mama." Fernando "N," alias "Big Mama," a 36-year-old accused cartel kingpin, was busted in a coordinated raid on Tuesday, along with four alleged cronies, after cops caught them red-handed unloading stolen goods from a truck-trailer.
This ain't no petty theft. "Big Mama" is accused of running the most notorious federal auto transport theft ring in the state, greasing the palms of corrupt officials with bribes topping half a million pesos (around $30,000 USD) to keep the heat off, according to sources close to the investigation.
But this "Mama" ain't raising any kids. When the cops closed in, he allegedly offered a cool one million pesos (almost $60,000 USD) to state police just to walk away. Talk about trying to buy your freedom!
Joining "Big Mama" in the slammer are: Alfredo "N," 38, a former León Municipal Police officer; Carlos Rodrigo "N," 34; Juan Carlos "N," 32; and Mario Alberto “N”, 35. All hail from León, and all are now facing some serious jail time.
Alfredo, the ex-cop, allegedly had a network of contacts within local and federal authorities, using them to shield the crew from arrest through – you guessed it – more bribes! He was also reportedly an escort for a guy named "Compa Playa," who was shipped off to the U.S. under the former administration of Claudia Sheinbaum.
But the rabbit hole goes even deeper. Sources say "Big Mama" was paying the dreaded CJNG (Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación) for the privilege of operating in Guanajuato, specifically in the municipalities of León, San Francisco del Rincón, Silao, and Irapuato. Think of it as protection money, only with guns and murder instead of late fees.
Guanajuato security officials say "Big Mama," originally from Veracruz, is the prime suspect in leading a gang that specialized in violently hijacking cargo trucks, stashing the goods, and then reselling them. He’s also been linked to leaving threatening messages in the Las Joyas neighborhood of León, messages that were, of course, attributed to the CJNG.
And get this: "Big Mama" might be tied to a deadly shootout at the Central de Abastos market back in 2021, allegedly stemming from a turf war over illegal rackets. He’s got a rap sheet that includes homicide and a laundry list of other offenses, and is suspected of using warehouses and parking lots to hide stolen rigs and cargo.
The arrest went down after authorities, responding to reports of a stolen tractor-trailer, swooped in on a rural area near Silao on March 19th. They found the crew unloading what appeared to be stolen groceries and stationery from the rig, along with five other cargo vehicles, including a shiny new Rubicon pickup truck.
Alfredo "N," the disgraced ex-cop, is now being investigated for the 2023 theft of a tractor-trailer hauling eight pickup trucks on the León-Silao highway. The trucks were later recovered in Capellanía de Loera.
The suspects are now in the custody of the Public Ministry facing charges of possession of stolen property and are under investigation for potential links to other violent crimes linked to organized crime.
So, will "Big Mama" talk? Will his network of corrupt officials finally be exposed? Stay tuned, because this saga is just getting started. This is one Mama who might be singing a different tune behind bars.
