Navy details Michoacán operations and 119 arrests

Reporting and context

Mexico's Navy reported that coordinated operations in Michoacán had inflicted more than 5.355 billion pesos in economic losses on organized crime groups, according to Entorno Informativo Sonora. The balance covers multiple operations with federal and state authorities, rather than a single seizure.

The Navy's figures included 119 arrests and seizures of more than 10 metric tonnes of cocaine, 7.5 tonnes of methamphetamine and 31 tonnes of marijuana. Authorities also disabled six clandestine laboratories and seized 206 vehicles, six boats, 77 firearms and more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition.

Entorno Informativo Sonora reported that the operations targeted groups including Los Pichilinguillos, which authorities link to international cocaine trafficking along Michoacán's coast. Other actions targeted groups linked to extortion of agricultural producers.

The Navy also highlighted the arrest of Rafael “N,” known as “R2,” whom it identified as the suspected leader of Los R and an alleged co-planner of Carlos Manzo's killing.

For these operations, the Navy said it maintains 1,300 personnel and 61 vehicles in Lázaro Cárdenas, Coahuayana and Aquila, supported by ships, helicopters, unmanned aerial systems and drones. Authorities also seized more than 1.5 million packs of counterfeit cigarettes in actions against criminal financing.

The same report described work to recover more than 500 hectares of Lake Pátzcuaro and medical outreach in communities that are difficult to access. The source did not specify the reporting period for the cumulative security figures.

Original publication: Entorno Informativo Sonora.