By Borderland Beat Contributors
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EXCLUSIVE: FBI sources just confirmed to me Dámaso López Serrano, ‘El Mini-Lic’ was just apprehended in the Virginia area for “fentanyl trafficking charges”.
“Despite in 2017 making a self surrender and cooperation, the Sinaloan narco Damaso “Mini Lic” has been re-arrested for fentanyl trafficking, according to reports.” posted author Ioan Grillo when sharing Luis’ X post.
Dámaso López Serrano, known as “El Mini Lic” turned himself in to US authorities in 2017 at the Calexico border. This came several months after his father Dámaso López Núñez was arrested in Mexico City for drug trafficking for the Sinaloa Cartel.
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MIni Lic became a cooperating witness and was released from prison in 2022 on parole after serving a reduced sentence of 72 months for his cooperation. It was initially believed he might be deported back to Mexico however he has remained in the US since his release.
He also has pending cases with Mexican authorities. The FGR issued an arrest warrant against him in January 2020, for his alleged part in the murder of journalist Javier Valdez and could have faced those charges had be been deported.
Last year, Dámaso submitted his responses to Borderland Beat on the letter sent by Los Chapitos denying their trafficking of fentanyl after being charged in a large scale indictment in April 2023.
He provided interviews to several media outlets and started a podcast Ocran Leaks calling out Sinaloa narcos and sharing stories and information on the since splintered Sinaloa Cartel.
UPDATES
2018 Plea Deal Details
Lopez-Serrano pled guilty in 2018, and accepted responsibility for his role as a leader within the Sinaloa Cartel, acknowledging that he organized the transportation and distribution of thousands of kilograms of controlled substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, for importation from Mexico into the United States. Lopez-Serrano also admitted to possessing firearms for the purpose of promoting the Sinaloa Cartel’s narcotics trafficking activities.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Acknowledges Arrest
“The secretary will inform you about the arrest, but it is a very important arrest,” she said in response to questions about the arrest from Mexican press at a press conference in Chiapas. When asked if the arrest took place in the US, she simply responded “Yes.”