Blow to 'Los Chapitos': 10 members arrested in Sinaloa
During an operation in the state of Sinaloa, authorities captured 10 alleged members of
A joint operation by federal and state forces in the Portalegre sector, north of Culiacan, Sinaloa, concluded with the arrest of 10 men identified Authorities arrested ten individuals as suspected members of a criminal cell linked to “Los Chapitos,” the State Public Security Secretariat (SSPE) reported. The operation began after an anonymous tip to 089 alerted authorities to the presence of armed men and a black vehicle outside a residence. Elements of the Army, the Special Operations Group (GOES), and the National Guard closed two roads and occupied the rooftops of nearby homes to secure the area, according to the official statement. During the search and seizure of the property, agents arrested the ten individuals and confiscated nine rifles, one machine gun, one pistol, 1,225 rounds of ammunition, 33 rifle magazines, tactical equipment, and several tire spikes. The SSPE stated that the operation was part of a containment strategy in areas where armed groups have been detected. Unofficial sources indicated that the detainees were from Jalisco, Michoacan, Baja California, and Sinaloa, and that they may be linked to "Los Chimales," an alleged armed wing associated with the "Los Chapitos" faction, which is reportedly engaged in a dispute with Los Mayos. However, authorities have not confirmed this connection.
The SSPE stressed that the information regarding the alleged affiliation of those arrested remains under verification and that for now, only their arrest and the seizure of the arsenal are acknowledged.
Federal Operation Against Drug Trafficking
According to the state government, the deployment of federal forces in the northern part of Culiacan seeks to inhibit the movement of armed groups and reinforce surveillance in sectors considered priorities due to crime rates.
“With actions like this,The federal and state governments reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Sinaloa society by inhibiting the movement of armed individuals and the use of these illicit objects,” the SSPE stated in its press release.
Authorities have not yet announced the fate of those detained or whether the Attorney General's Office of the Republic will take over the case.