Who is 'El Nini', accused of feeding rival cartel members to tigers? Joe Biden thanks Mexican president for arresting him. Here is full story

US President Joe Biden has thanked his Mexican counterpart Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for arresting one of Mexico's most wanted and brutal criminals, Nestor Isidro Perez Salas. Known as 'El Nini', Salas has been an alleged fentanyl trafficker, he has been accused of feeding rival cartel members to tigers. Perez Salas was the chief of security for the 'Chapitos' wing of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Perez Salas is responsible for the massive influx of fentanyl into the US over the past several years.

Joe Biden praises Mexican Army

In a statement released by the White House, Joe Biden said, "I want to thank President Lopez Obrador and the Mexican Army and special forces for effectively capturing 'El Nini', and express our appreciation for the brave men and women of Mexican security forces who undertook this successful operation to apprehend him."

Perez Salas indicted

Earlier in February 2021, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Perez Salas on charges of cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. He was also indicted for possession of machine guns and destructive devices and witness retaliation.


Later, a New York grand jury indicted the alleged cartel security boss and nearly two dozen co-conspirators of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, fentanyl importation conspiracy. They were also indicted for money laundering conspiracy and multiple other crimes.

State Department offers reward

The State Department offered a $3 million reward for information leading to El Nini's arrest and conviction shortly after the second indictment. The indictment described the Ninis as "a particularly violent group of security personnel for the Chapitos" led and commanded by Perez Salas.

According to the indictment, "In 2017, Perez Salas and his goons captured, tortured, and killed two Mexican federal law enforcement officers."

Perez Salas fed rivals to tigers

The New York indictment said that Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar – a Chapitos leader and son of incarcerated Mexican drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo'Guzman raised and kept tigers as pets.

FAQs:

Who is 'El Nini'?
Nestor Isidro Perez Salas, better known as 'El Nini', was the chief of security for the 'Chapitos' wing of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel.

Why was 'El Nini' indicted?
A US federal grand jury indicted Perez Salas on charges of cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. He was also indicted for possession of machine guns and destructive devices and witness retaliation.