Dámaso López Serrano, dubbed ‘El Mini Lic’, is expected to be deported back to Mexico after serving a five-year sentence in the United States for attempting to traffic fentanyl. López's criminal career as a leader of the Sinaloa Cartel marked a significant chapter in drug trafficking, characterized by violence and control over drug routes. In a court appearance in California, he publicly acknowledged the harm his actions caused and expressed regret, although his claims of reform have been called into question following his subsequent arrest for continued drug trafficking after his release.

After being freed in 2022, López's apparent attempt to reform was short-lived, as he reverted to his criminal activities shortly afterwards. The implications of his return to Mexico are significant, especially since he is implicated in the murder of journalist Javier Valdez, who reported extensively on drug-related violence and corruption. Valdez’s assassination remains a sore point in discussions about violence against journalists in Mexico and the pervasive influence of drug cartels.

As he prepares to return, there are concerns about the pending legal issues he faces, not only from the Mexican government but also regarding his connections with rival groups like Los Chapitos, the offspring of former drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán. His comeback could reignite turf wars and further violence in the already turbulent landscape of drug trafficking in Mexico, making the situation precarious not just for law enforcement but for civilians caught in the crossfire.