‘The Fat Man of Zempoala’ became one of the most wanted criminals in Mexico after he allegedly ordered a group of hitmen to execute police officers, film it and circulate the clip online
A notorious Mexican Cartel boss has finally been arrested by police after filming disturbing executions during a lengthy criminal record of homicides, kidnappings, extortion and acts of terrorism.
Leonel ‘N’, better known by his alias “El Gordo de Zempoala”, which translates to “The Fat Man of Zempoala” was identified as the main man behind ongoing violence in the Laja-Bajío region – and as a high-ranking member of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel (CSRL). His arrest, carried out in Querétaro this Monday, February 10, is a huge blow to the criminal organisation, which has been engaged in an intense dispute with another gang, the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG), for control of the state since 2017.
The Fat Man’s criminal record includes homicides, kidnappings, and extortion. Mexican’s State Attorney General’s Office also accuses him of terrorism after he allegedly ordered a group of hitmen to film the execution of two police officers in Jerécuaro. According to investigative sources, Leonel “N” ordered the video to be distributed amongst police elements, and on social media, with the aim of spreading terror and demoralising security corporations.
His arrest, flagged as a priority for authorities, was carried out as part of a joint operation between the Querétaro Prosecutor’s Office, the State Public Security Forces (FSPE) and the Secretariat of Security and Peace of Guanajuato.
According to investigations, “El Gordo de Zempoala” was one of the trusted men of José Antonio Yépez Ortiz, alias “El Marro”, founder of the CSRL and currently held in the maximum security prison of Altiplano. After his arrest in August 2020, Leonel “N” assumed leadership in the southern area of Guanajuato, extending his influence over a number of other municipalities, including Celaya, Apaseo el Alto, Apaseo el Grande and Yuriria.
Authorities consider him the leader of a faction of the CSRL that carries out a range of criminal activities, like fuel theft, blackmail of merchants and contract killings.
Leonel “N”, who would recruit foreign hitmen from Colombia and Central America, is also accused of a serious assualt that took place on December 16, 2024, when an armed group attacked members of the State Public Security Forces (FSPE) in Uriangato. The agents were patrolling Leovino Zavala Boulevard when they were ambushed by subjects aboard trucks with high-caliber weapons. Four police officers died and several others were injured in the attack.
Investigations found that “El Gordo de Zempoala” was the mastermind behind the attack, which led to him being labelled one of the most wanted criminals in Guanajuato. He is also linked to a seperate conflict on January 6 in Yuriria, where members of the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA) and the FSPE killed 10 alleged members of the CSRL.