Alleged assassin for Sinaloa cartel ‘El Nini’ in federal court

(NewsNation) — Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, also known as “El Nini,” who authorities say was the top assassin for the Sinaloa cartel, will have his day in federal court Thursday after being extradited to the United States earlier this week.

Many are wondering what this could mean for one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico. 

Courts recently indicted Pérez Salas on a slew of charges related to his alleged role as the security apparatus for drug lord Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera, or “El Chapo.” Charges include cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy; possession of machine guns; witness retaliation and the murder of a confidential Drug Enforcement Administration source and others in retaliation for their cooperation with law enforcement. 

 The U.S. Department of Justice also says Pérez Salas was a part of the Sinaloa cartel’s production and sale of fentanyl, specifically in Los Angeles during 2022. This was later seized by the DEA.

Arizona Department of Public Safety detectives seized 180 pounds of fentanyl between the ports of entry, meaning the deadly drug made it past several layers of law enforcement before ending up in Phoenix. DPS reports that one residence was searched in connection with the investigation, and two suspects were arrested and booked into jail on drug-related charges. These drugs had a street value of $1.5 million. 

U.S. President Joe Biden thanked Mexico for cooperating with Pérez Salas’ capture, calling it “a good day for justice.” 

What is ‘El Nini’ charged with? 

Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas faces gun, drug and witness retaliation charges that are all tied to his affiliation with Mexico’s most dangerous cartels and its jailed leader, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

Federal officials announced Tuesday that Pérez Salas will be arraigned Thursday on charges of importing cocaine and methamphetamine, firearms offenses and conspiracy to obstruct justice through murder.

In another indictment, he is also charged with the leadership of a continuing criminal enterprise resulting in the deaths of numerous victims, including a confidential source for the Drug Enforcement Administration; fentanyl importation and trafficking; obstruction of justice by murdering an informant; kidnapping resulting in the deaths of eight people, including a minor; as well as firearms and money laundering offenses.

Before this indictment, Pérez Salas had been indicted in 2021 in Washington, D.C. on charges he conspired to traffic cocaine and methamphetamine into the U.S, as well as possession of machine guns and destructive devices and retaliation against witnesses.

A grand jury in New York also indicted Pérez Salas two years later on  charges of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to import fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic fentanyl as well as possession of machine guns and other destructive devices.He also was charged with conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices and conspiracy to launder money. 

Who is El Nini?

Pérez Salas, according to previous statements by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, was one of the Sinaloa cartel’s lead assassins, specifically when it came to rivals and witnesses who threatened the cartel’s criminal drug trafficking operation. A federal indictment states Pérez Salas commanded a violent outfit that carried out gruesome acts of violence against those it took into their custody.

Pérez Salas is 32 years old and a Mexican National. A security team known as the “Ninis,” which court documents describe as security personnel a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel was under his leadership. In addition, Pérez Salas was involved in the operation’s drug trafficking operation.

His nickname, “Nini,” is reportedly a reference to Mexican slang for “neither nor” to describe young people who neither work nor study, the Associated Press wrote. 

NewsNation digital reporter Jeff Arnold contributed to this report.