A gang leader tied to El Chapo’s old cartel is on the run after escaping from a Mexican prison. Ernesto “El Neto” Pinon, who is serving a 224-year sentence, fled the Puente Grande jail in the state of Jalisco. It is not yet clear how Pinon escaped, but authorities have launched a search for him.
Pinon was a leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, which is one of the most powerful and violent criminal organizations in Mexico. The group is known for its use of high-powered weapons and its willingness to engage in bloody turf wars with rival cartels.
Pinon was arrested in 2016 and was later convicted of a range of crimes, including drug trafficking and murder. He was sentenced to 224 years in prison, but it appears that he will not be serving that time.
The escape of a high-profile prisoner like Pinon is a major embarrassment for the Mexican government, which has struggled to contain the country’s powerful cartels. It is not the first time that a top cartel leader has escaped from prison in Mexico. In 2015, El Chapo himself famously escaped from a maximum security prison through a tunnel.
Pinon’s escape has raised concerns about the security of Mexican prisons, and the government has launched an investigation into the matter. It is not yet clear if anyone assisted in Pinon’s escape or if he acted alone.
The escape has raised concerns about corruption and the ability of Mexico’s prison system to hold high-level criminals. It is the second time in recent months that a high-profile cartel member has escaped from prison in Mexico.
"25 members of a local gang known as Los Mexicles, which is allegedly allied with the Sinaloa Cartel, escaped. Amongst those who got out was gang leader Ernesto Alfredo Piñón, known as 'El Neto'…"https://t.co/BNHHUJDG4Z via @LuisKuryaki @VICEWorldNews
— Keegan Hamilton (@keegan_hamilton) January 3, 2023
Pinon’s escape has also sparked fears that he may try to reclaim his position at the head of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. The group has been involved in a series of high-profile crimes in recent years, and Pinon’s return to the organization could lead to an increase in violence.
Authorities are urging the public to be on the lookout for Pinon and to report any information about his whereabouts to the authorities. It is not yet clear where Pinon may be headed or if he has left the country.
