Mini Lic, Life of a Narco Junior

Part 2 of the interview with Dámaso López Serrano goes into the rise of fentanyl, the murder of legendary journalist Javier Valdez, and his war with the Chapitos.

This is part two of an interview with Dámaso López Serrano, Sinaloa Cartel trafficker turned informant. For part one (and an editors note on the explosive interview) click here.

Dámaso smiles as he remembers the good times in Sinaloa when he was rising in the cartel and making a fortune, when he was El Chapo’s favorite godson and the kingpin came personally to his wedding and to his kid’s baptisms.

“People saw that and said, ‘How could it be possible that Dámaso got married and El Chapo went, and Chapo's son got married in the same place as Dámaso and his father didn't go?’ ”

I’m sitting in a small hotel room by Los Angeles airport, hours into my interview with Dámaso López Serrano, alias “Mini Lic,” the 35 year old Sinaloan narco turned DEA informant.

“He loved me a lot,” Dámaso says. “I was practically like another son to El Chapo.”

I interrupt his story. “Did it hurt you to cooperate against him? Does it hurt you how things turned out?”

Dámaso’s face suddenly changes. It hardens and he sits up straight. He looks into my eyes and says: