**Cocaine Seizure in Ensenada Port Linked to “El Lico”**
In a recent operation in Ensenada, customs officers intercepted a shipment of cocaine marked with an infinity symbol. The seizure reveals the far-reaching operations of international drug cartels, in particular, the Sinaloa Cartel. The shipment, split into 300 packages weighing approximately 350 kilograms, was disguised within a shipping container nearly empty of goods. It was traced back to a maritime company with signature pink branding and ONE logo, commonly navigating this port.
Authorities were tipped off to the suspicious cargo and conducted their raid just before midnight on November 15, on the ship Iquique Exprés. The port’s security team, along with regional naval officers, inspected the container with code TLLLU6022184. These findings further emphasize Ensenada’s role as a key point in international drug trafficking networks.
Investigators have linked the cocaine’s origin to Guayaquil, Ecuador, with a scheduled destination of Ningbo, China—an established drug transit route. Meanwhile, the Sinaloa Cartel, a dominant force from Baja California’s southern border to Tijuana, is believed to orchestrate operations at Ensenada, a crucial node in their distribution chain.
The shipping company, ONE, claims to tackle global challenges by leveraging diverse cultures and skills. However, its purported involvement with the drug cargo raises questions about security and oversight in maritime logistics.
Previous incidents underline the port’s continued struggle against illegal drug trafficking. In early 2024, Ecuadorian authorities intercepted over six tons of cocaine bound for Ensenada, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities in international shipping security.
**Behind the Curtains: El Lico and the Drug Trade**
Further investigation points to Ricardo Beltrán, alias “El Lico,” who allegedly organized this trafficking scheme. Known for his past collaboration with Jaime Daniel Gutiérrez García, aka “El Cachis” or “El Toro,” El Lico played a significant role in Sinaloa Cartel operations. Tensions between these figures recently culminated in gun violence, emphasizing the volatile and dangerous nature of cartel alliances and disputes.
One notable altercation saw El Lico’s vehicle attacked, resulting in the tragic death of a child, a consequence of internal conflicts. This event further aggravated on-ground conflicts, linking to another shooting targeting El Cachis in Tijuana.
Moreover, the disappearance of Carlos Iván Luna Flores (known as “El Gasero”) spotlights the fierce struggles for control over Ensenada’s illicit trade routes. These battles echo past clashes, such as those involving trafficker Manuel Padilla Murillo and his smuggling of illegal goods and protected marine species.
The street-level reality of these battles over drug routes reflects sharply in the economic valuation of cocaine: priced at around $10,500 to $11,000 per kilogram locally, but spiking to $18,000 to $20,000 upon reaching U.S. shores. Such financial temptations perpetuate an unyielding cycle of violence and trafficking.
Federal sources draw parallels to the seizure from vessels like the “Mol Majesty” in 2020, where cocaine was found transferred from freighters to speedboats at sea—a testament to ongoing challenges in countering sophisticated narco operations.
**In the Headlines: Recent Developments**
1. **Ongoing Drug War in Sinaloa:** Fatalities are mounting as cartel conflicts continue, with figures like El Lico caught in the crossfire of these power struggles.
2. **New Arrests and Prosecutions:** Recent cases include individuals charged with transporting significant quantities of narcotics, underscoring an unceasing effort by law enforcement to dismantle cartels’ logistical networks.
3. **Global Smuggling Pathways:** With an emphasis on trade routes between Mexico, South America, and Asia, authorities face hurdles curbing the extensive reach of drug syndicates.
These incidents collectively reveal the multidimensional challenges facing Mexican ports like Ensenada, urging international cooperation and increased security measures to stifle the grip of criminal enterprises.