Samuel Meléndez Carrisoza, aka El Sierra, Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The man was arrested in 2025 during an operation in Durango where authorities seized fentanyl, cocaine, and weaponry.

The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) announced that it has secured a sentence of 10 years and 10 months in prison against Samuel “N”—alias “El Sierra”—whom authorities have identified as a financial operative and second-in-command of a criminal group affiliated with the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

According to the agency, the conviction was the result of investigations and evidence presented by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime, which established his culpability in crimes related to the possession of firearms, magazines, and ammunition designated for the exclusive use of the Armed Forces, as well as the possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.

The FGR noted that Meléndez Carrisoza is required to serve his sentence at Federal Center for Social Readaptation No. 7, located in Durango.

“El Sierra” was arrested in January 2025 during an operation conducted by federal forces in the city of Durango. Authorities executed a search warrant at a property where they seized firearms, magazines, ammunition, fentanyl pills, cocaine, and other items linked to illicit activities.

According to information from the Attorney General’s Office itself, Samuel “N” was considered a financial operator and the second-in-command of “Los Deltas,” an armed cell linked to “Los Cazadores”—a group affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel’s faction known as “Los Chapitos.”

The sentencing comes amidst federal authorities’ efforts to dismantle the operational and financial structures of criminal organizations maintaining a presence across various regions of the country—particularly those involved in the trafficking of synthetic drugs.

With this ruling, the FGR highlighted the conclusion of one of the investigations stemming from operations carried out by the Security Cabinet in Durango during 2025, which aimed to apprehend alleged members of criminal groups operating in northern Mexico.

Source: La Razon