The arrested man was found in possession of a rifle, drugs, cash, and a vehicle without license plates.
Authorities in Tabasco arrested Luis Antonio “N,” alias “El Balú,” identified as the alleged leader of the La Barredora criminal group, during an operation on the Teapa–Villahermosa highway in the municipality of Centro.
Capture and Seizure Operation
The arrest of Luis Antonio “N,” carried out on the night of January 16, was conducted by elements of the Tabasco Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPCT), the Olmeca Inter-institutional Tactical Response Force (FIRT), the “Tiburones” tactical group, and the Mexican Navy.
The checkpoint was set up near the Plutarco Elías Calles neighborhood. The 34-year-old suspect was traveling in a 2018 Kia Rio without license plates.
During the vehicle inspection, officers located a black rifle with the inscription “BMSMIL,” but without a brand name or serial number, along with a magazine and ten rounds of ammunition. Inside the vehicle, they found two packages of marijuana, weighing approximately 1.340 and 1.365 kilograms each. Also seized were 62 bags containing suspected marijuana, 23 bags of crystal methamphetamine, and 4,600 pesos in cash.
All the seized items and the detainee were placed at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the initiation of the investigation and the determination of Luis Antonio “N.”’s legal status.
Leader of the La Barredora criminal group
Luis Antonio “N” is identified as one of the main instigators of violence in the Playas del Rosario and Parrilla corridor, areas considered high-priority due to their proximity to the capital city of Villahermosa.
The arrest is part of a strategy to weaken the operations of La Barredora and curb high-impact crimes in the state.
La Barredora operates in several areas of Tabasco and is believed to have ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). This organization has been linked to crimes such as extortion, kidnapping, and murder.
The group’s structure has suffered recent setbacks, particularly since the arrest and extradition of Hernán Bermúdez Requena, the former Secretary of Security of Tabasco, identified as the organization’s leader and currently incarcerated in the El Altiplano maximum-security prison.
In October 2025, the Tabasco State Attorney General’s Office reported the arrest of six state agents allegedly linked to La Barredora and accused of participating in kidnappings. These events highlighted the organization’s infiltration of local institutions and prompted a strengthening of inter-agency coordination.
The SSPCT and the participating forces emphasized that the operation is part of a series of actions to dismantle criminal cells and guarantee security in areas with high crime rates.
Sources: Infobae, Cartel Insider Archives
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