Deep in the mountains of Sierra Madre, in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, lies the growing legend of a powerful drug lord that has assembled a militia of more than 1,000 soldiers to protect his interests. His legal name is José Noriel Portillo, but he's become widely known by law enforcement officials, residents, and his rivals as El Chueco (the Crooked One). El Chueco is the feared leader of 'Los Salazar,' an armed unit within the famous Sinaloa Cartel. He is also a terrifying hitman who allegedly killed two teachers from Chihuahua, a person who he believed was an undercover DEA agent, and two Jesuit priests. The latter of which ignited a manhunt by Mexico's government, which subsequently put together a small army of 300 soldiers to help bring El Chueco to justice. The investigation started in June, and so far, it has resulted in the arrest of 17 of El Chueco's associates, including two of his cousins, but the man himself remains at large.
Not only is Mexico's search party overwhelmingly outnumbered, but El Chueco has the benefit of understanding the vast dimensions of hilly terrain on his side. The Sierra Madre consists of a chain of mountains, and El Chueco is said to have organized a set of illegal checkpoints in the area to help him outmaneuver law enforcement long before they get anywhere near him.
“He knows he owns the whole Sierra,” said a former police officer named Pedro. “He controls policemen, businessmen, everyone, and he knows he can kill just because he feels like it.” Residents of the area are fully aware of that notion as well because many of them have refused to speak to law enforcement about El Chuenco's whereabouts out of fear of retaliation and out mistrust of their national government. So, for now, El Chuenco remains one step ahead of his pursuers.
Source: Vice News
Noriel has set up a series of illegal checkpoints around the deep mountains of Chihuahua, where most of the highways are one way in, one way out. That’s how he knows from kilometers away when someone’s coming.
The geography of the region plays by his side. Noriel grew up inside the complicated Sierra Madre Occidental; he learned every turn and knows every village, however small it is.
to steal their car, a U.S. professor he reportedly believed was an undercover DEA agent, and most recently two Jesuit priests for begging for a man’s life.
