A previous high-ranked lieutenant in the Arellano Félix drug organization entered a guilty plea to charges of racketeering and conspiracy in federal court Monday, the most recent in a line of former top officials in the drug gang to plead guilty. 

Efraín Pérez admitted to one account of racketeering and another of conspiracy to use and put money in illegal drug profits and selling. According to court records, Pérez worked as Ismael Higuera Guerrero’s most trusted assistant. Guerrero was the head of the drug cartel. 

Both Pérez and Guerrero were to blame for starting and organizing huge drug shipments leaving Mexico and destined for the US by passing through Tijuana, and they strongly pushed for gang violence in order to be in charge of smuggling in Tijuana and Ensenada.  

Late Friday afternoon Armando Martínez Duarte also admitted he was guilty to charges of racketeering. He was the head of security for the group at the same time that he was working as a federal law enforcement officer in Mexico. He enforced policies in the organization’s name in Mexicali without mercy for others, he is believed to have approved and enforced the torture and murder of many people.

Also last week, Jesús “Chuy” Labra Aviles, another older top official admitted he was guilty.  

All four could possibly be sentenced to serve up to 30 years in prison.