Mexican drug lord Moises Escamilla May, 45, jailed for ruthless beheadings is killed by coronavirus

Notorious Mexican Los Zetas cartel boss, Moises Escamilla May, 45, who was jailed for a string of ruthless beheadings, dies in jail from coronavirus

  • Moisés Escamilla May, a notorious Mexican gang leader, has died in prison after contracting coronavirus
  • Escamilla, 45, was the leader of a group within criminal cartel Los Zetas
  • He was serving a 37-year sentence for organized crime, including his role in the decapitation of 12 people in Yucatán in 2008
  • He developed respiratory problems on 6 May and died two days later, but authorities only made his death public on Sunday 
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

Moisés Escamilla May, 45, a notorious Mexican gang leader, has died in prison after contracting coronavirus

A Mexican cartel boss has died from coronavirus while serving time in jail. 

Moises Escamilla May was one of the leaders of the infamous Los Zetas gang.

He had already spent more than a decade in jail after he was accused of carrying out a number of beheadings. 

He had been in charge distributing cocaine in the city of Cancun and had been accused of participating in the murder of 12 people who were found decapitated in Yucatan in August 2008. 

The 45-year-old died a week after he started to suffer breathing problems while at a maximum-security prison in the state of Jalisco.

He developed respiratory problems on May 6 and died two days later, but authorities only made his death public on Sunday. 

May, whose nickname was ‘El Gordo May’ had been serving a 37-year jail sentence for organized crime, weapons and drugs offenses.

When he was finally jailed he was identified as the regional leader of Old School Zetas. 

Moisés Escamilla May died at the Puente Grande State prison in Zapotlanejo, Jalisco State. At Puente Grande prison alone, there have been 74 reported coronavirus cases

Moisés Escamilla May died at the Puente Grande State prison in Zapotlanejo, Jalisco State. At Puente Grande prison alone, there have been 74 reported coronavirus cases

Soldiers escort a man who authorities identified as Omar Trevino Morales, alias 'Z-42', leader of the criminal group 'Los Zetas', at the Attorney General Office's hangar in Mexico City. The capture of ex-leader Omar Trevino Morales split the Zetas in two

Soldiers escort a man who authorities identified as Omar Trevino Morales, alias ‘Z-42’, leader of the criminal group ‘Los Zetas’, at the Attorney General Office’s hangar in Mexico City. The capture of ex-leader Omar Trevino Morales split the Zetas in two

Los Zetas had been regarded as a notoriously violent cartel and one of the most dangerous operating in Mexico. 

It was formed by army deserters who worked for the Gulf Cartel who then broke away to create their own cartel. 

As well as drug trafficking, the group would also participate in kidnapping, extortion, sex trafficking and gun running rackets. 

Recently, its influence has diminished somewhat and the cartel has become fragmented. 

A group of women of the Los Zetas drug cartel are presented to the press at the Mexican Navy headquarters in Mexico City in April 2011 (file photo)

A group of women of the Los Zetas drug cartel are presented to the press at the Mexican Navy headquarters in Mexico City in April 2011 (file photo)

After the capture of former leader Omar Trevino Morales, alias Z-42, the cartel split into two factions which were at war until 2018. 

In terms of the coronavirus, Mexico is one of the worst hit countries in Latin America with 35,000 confirmed cases and 3,465 deaths.

Brazil and Peru are the only two countries in the region that have fare worse.  

An amnesty law was passed in Mexico allowing some inmates to go free in order to ease overcrowding in prisons during the pandemic.

At Puente Grande prison alone, there have been 74 reported coronavirus cases.



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