In a significant development, intelligence from the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) has led to the apprehension of Leonardo Daniel Martinez Vera, known as "El Pato," a prominent figure within the Sinaloa Cartel.
The capture took place on October 15, as announced by officials on Tuesday. El Pato, a notorious Plaza Boss, was detained following a coordinated effort that involved raiding two targeted residences, resulting in the arrest of three additional cartel money launderers.
According to the Daily Caller, the NCTC, under the aegis of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), played a pivotal role by providing Mexican authorities with crucial intelligence regarding El Pato's whereabouts. This operation underscores the collaborative efforts between U.S. and Mexican authorities in combating organized crime and securing the border.
El Pato is accused of orchestrating a range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and murder, as detailed by the ODNI. NCTC Director Joe Kent emphasized the agency's commitment to targeting individuals who pose a threat to U.S. security, stating, "We will pursue every terrorist who traffics deadly drugs into the United States to keep our homeland secure."
ODNI Director Tulsi Gabbard echoed this sentiment, asserting, "We will not allow cartel gangs who target Americans to roam freely, whether in the U.S. or across the border in Mexico."
Gabbard further highlighted the NCTC's longstanding role in the intelligence community, noting, "For more than two decades, NCTC has led the intelligence community in synchronizing information that can be turned into actionable intelligence for operators around the world to act on, to go after those who threaten the safety and security of the American people."
She credited President Trump's leadership for the intensified focus on dismantling cartel networks, stating that resources are being surged to disrupt these criminal organizations.
The operation to locate El Pato was a testament to the NCTC's expertise, utilizing two decades of experience to achieve this success in just nine months. President Trump has been proactive in designating cartels like Sinaloa as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and has taken decisive actions, such as targeting narcotics trafficking vessels near Venezuela.
The arrest was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Joint Task Force-North, the State Departments Diplomatic Security Service, the Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft Operations Division, Customs and Border Protections Air and Marine Operations, and the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense.
This multi-agency cooperation highlights the ongoing commitment to safeguarding American communities from the threats posed by international drug cartels.
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