2017 in organized crime

In 2017, a number of events took place in organized crime. The Mexican drug war continued to be a focus throughout the year.

Events

January

• January 18 – At least four people are killed in a shootout between Mexican Police and unknown gunmen after the latter opened fire on the Quintana Roo state attorneys' office in Cancún. ^[1]
• January 19 – Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán is extradited to the United States, where he will face charges for his role as leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. ^[2]

April

• April 5 – Mexican Beltrán Leyva Cartel drug lord Alfredo Beltrán Leyva is sentenced to life in prison and ordered to forfeit $US529,200,000. ^[3]

May

• May 15 – An unknown gunman shoots and kills veteran journalist Javier Valdez Cárdenas, who is noted for his investigative reporting on Mexico's war on drugs, in Culiacán, Sinaloa. ^[4]

July

• July 5 – A gunfight between La Línea gang members and a rival cartel in Madera Municipality, Chihuahua, leaves at least 14 people dead. ^[5]

Arts and literature

• Gangster Land

Deaths

• January 13 – Nicodemo Scarfo, 87, American mobster, boss of the Philadelphia crime family (1981–1991). ^[6]
• April 19 – Yip Kai Foon, 55, Hong Kong gangster. ^[7]
• July 2 – Bert Rossi, 94, English gangster. ^[8]
• August 21 – Ron Previte, 73, American gangster. ^[9]
• November 17 – Salvatore Riina, 87, Italian mobster, capo of the Sicilian Mafia.

See also

• Timeline of the Mexican Drug War
• List of years in organized crime

References

1. "Mexico violence: Four killed in Cancun gunfight". BBC News. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
2. Woody, Christopher. "Mexico has extradited Sinaloa cartel kingpin Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán after months of legal battles". Business Insider. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
3. "Office of Public Affairs | Alfredo Beltran Leyva Sentenced to Life in Prison for Leading an International Drug Trafficking Conspiracy | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
4. Press, Associated (15 May 2017). "Veteran journalist Javier Valdez killed in Mexico's Sinaloa". Associated Press. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
5. "At least 14 killed in gunfight in drug-plagued northern Mexico state". The Washington Post. 5 July 2017. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 22 August 2025.
6. "Infamous Philly Mob Boss "Little Nicky" Scarfo Dies At Age 87 - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. 15 January 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
7. "Notorious Hong Kong gangster Yip Kai-foon, who inspired hit film, dead at 55". South China Morning Post. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
8. "Bert Rossi: East End mobster who advised the Krays". The Independent. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
9. RUBINKAM, MICHAEL. "Former Philly mob captain Ronald Previte dies". Courier-Post. Retrieved 22 August 2025.