Chihuahua probes possible diversion of mining explosives
Officials are tracing seized explosives whose origin remains unknown. El Heraldo de Chihuahua cited state police figures showing 1,100 kilograms of explosive material seized so far this year.
Chihuahua's security authorities are investigating whether explosives seized in the state may have been diverted from mining operations, El Heraldo de Chihuahua reported in an interview published September 15.
State Public Security Secretary Gilberto Loya Chávez told the outlet that some seized material resembles explosives used in mining. An August 12 meeting with the state's mining cluster, led by Governor María Eugenia Campos Galván, sought information about its origin and possible links between criminal groups and company employees.
Loya said authorities had not established where the explosives came from. He also said theft at mine sites did not appear to have been identified. The possible diversion from mining companies remains under investigation.
The scale of the seizures provides context for that inquiry. According to El Heraldo de Chihuahua, figures supplied by the state security agency showed 1,100 kilograms of explosive material seized in various operations so far this year. That is a statewide year-to-date figure, separate from the agency's counts of individual explosive devices.
The commander of the 42nd Military Zone also attended the meeting with mining representatives, the outlet reported. Loya said officials want to protect mining activity, trace the material's route and pursue criminal charges if wrongdoing is established. He described criminal groups' use of drones and explosives as a concern for security forces.