**Lack of Interest by State Attorney’s Office at ‘El Pitufo’ Hearing**
The State Attorney’s Office (FGE) has chosen to disregard the court summons for a hearing concerning the conditional suspension of the legal proceedings against Josué Godínez Fernández, widely known as ‘El Pitufo.’ Despite being spotlighted as a prominent figure and alleged instigator of violence in Mexicali, neither the FGE nor the Citizen Security Secretariat (SSC) have successfully presented a robust case against him, who is supposedly affiliated with the notorious criminal group ‘Los Rusos,’ which is officially involved in transportation services.
On Thursday, January 16, a hearing was scheduled focusing on the suspension of processes related to minor offenses such as drug dealing and the use of fake documents. These are minor crimes that typically do not warrant imprisonment for first-time offenders. ‘El Pitufo,’ accompanied by his legal team, attended the hearing at 1 p.m. in Room 3 of the Mexicali Justice Center, however, the prosecution failed to appear or provide any justification for their absence. As a result, they received a penalty fine amounting to 20 UMAS ($2,262.8) and a new date has been set for February 14, at 11 a.m.
The FGE had previously attempted to enforce preventive detention on ‘El Pitufo’ for these minor charges. However, following a contentious hearing, a legal appeal allowed him to remain at liberty during the proceedings.
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**Secondary Article: Recent Developments in Baja California Crime Scene**
– On January 16, 2025, two bodies were discovered along the San Felipe highway, marking another grim incident in the region’s escalating violence.
– Nine individuals were apprehended by naval forces off the coast of Baja California Sur, with the authorities seizing a staggering two tons of cocaine, raising alarms about the scale of the drug operations in the area.
– In Tijuana’s Santa Fe district, a forensic expert from FGE was shot, resulting in the arrest of two suspects. This attack has sparked concerns about the safety of law enforcement personnel amidst growing criminal activities.
– A former agent of the state attorney’s office was assassinated outside the Sinaloa State Congress. This brazen daylight attack is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those in the judicial and law enforcement sectors.
– In political news, governors and thousands of municipal leaders recently gathered to express their support for a prominent politician at the National Municipalist Meeting, showcasing the unyielding political challenges in the region.
As authorities continue to tackle these complex issues, the need for strategic reforms and effective law enforcement is more pressing than ever for the safety and security of the community.