Members of drug cartels in Mexico start young, and this is evident in a teen killer nicknamed "El Chapito," who was arrested by police after he gunned down and killed eight people in a drug-related attack.

According to the Associated Press, the federal Public Safety Department said Thursday that the 14-year-old Mexican who allegedly became a drug gang hitman at a young age was captured near Mexico City.

His real name was not released to the public, but his nickname "El Chapito," which means "Little Chapo," is in reference to the imprisoned Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera. He is the latest teen to be arrested that was part of a criminal organization.

In 2010, Mexican soldiers arrested a 14-year-old boy nicknamed "El Ponchis," who was kidnapped at a young age and forced to work for a splinter of the Beltran Leyva gang called Cartel of the South Pacific.

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How Mexican Teen 'El Chapito' Carried Out His Deadly Assault That Killed 8 People

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Mexican teen opened fire on a family in the low-income Mexico City suburb of Chimalhuacan while riding a motorcycle.

The drive-by shooting resulted in eight deaths and left five adults and two children wounded. The family was reportedly having a birthday party. So far, Mexican authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the deadly attack.

"El Chapito" was reportedly part of a violent drug gang in the area. These Mexico City drug gangs are known to commit various violent crimes, which range from kidnapping to contract to kill.

They are also known to kill members of rival gangs who encroach on their territory and sell drugs there.

Mexican Drug Cartels Often Use Kids as Cannon Fodder

Mexican drug cartels often recruit kids as young as 11. Many of the kids they recruit are school dropouts, while older recruits are reportedly unskilled workers. 

These young gang members are then treated as cannon fodder as they are often thrown in "suicidal attacks on security forces."

According to WIRED, these children and teens are often enticed or manipulated into joining the cartels. They are often sent to training camps where they are given basic weapons instruction. 

Many of these camps are found near the Mexico-Guatemala border, and these facilities train children in using various firearms, including o Uzi submachine guns and .38 and 9-mm caliber pistols.

After being trained in using these weapons, these kids are placed in cells led by experienced cartel members who are often former military or police officers.

However, despite all the training these kids receive, pay is reportedly quite meager. Killing somebody can be worth as low as $78, though some killers can make between $390 and $468 every two weeks.

This is much higher than what most people in Mexico earn with a legitimate job getting as little as $298 a month.

READ MORE: Mexico Kidnapping Update: Drug Cartel Sends Apology Letter

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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