SAN DIEGO — Working with the San Diego and El Centro Sector Border Patrol, Mexican Federal Police arrested Victor Mendoza-Rojas in Mexicali last week. Mendoza is the leader of the Diablo Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) in Mexico and was wanted by U.S. officials for smuggling, kidnapping, and extortion in East San Diego County.
In 2011, through the support of San Diego Sector’s Foreign Operations Branch, the Government of Mexico’s Procuraduría General de la República (PGR) issued an arrest warrant on Mendoza for alien smuggling. In 2012 and 2013, Mendoza partnered with Mexico’s Lalo TCO and his illegal activities increased. During that period, 173 arrests and 42 illegal events were attributed to his organization and he was considered the #1 threat in the Campo area of responsibility.
Mendoza was aware of his warrant in the U.S. and kept a low profile for several years by limiting his activities in the U.S. and using the Lalo TCO’s presence in the U.S. to continue operations. Recently, Campo Border Patrol agents arrested several key individuals in the Lalo TCO. As a result, Mendoza became more public and Mexican officials were alerted and arrested him.
“This arrest resulted from the integrated efforts of the California Corridor Campaign (C3),” said San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Paul Beeson. “Even though we are on opposite sides of the border, we still can share information and complement our assets in California with those of the Mexican government. In turn, we can erase the lines separating jurisdictional authorities and remove a level of anonymity that criminal organizations attempt to use in order to exploit our shared border.”
Through C3, the U.S. Border Patrol is able to meet its 2012-2016 Border Patrol Strategic Plan goals. This involves integrating with partners, using a whole-of-government approach, sharing information, and rapidly responding in order to disrupt and degrade TCOs.
To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.