A major blow to organized crime was dealt in Zacatecas after members of the Mexican Army and the National Guard arrested 14 suspected criminals in the community of Las Compuertas, Fresnillo municipality. Among those captured is a woman, and an arsenal of long-range weapons and thousands of ballistic cartridges, still unaccounted for, was seized.
Authorities suspect this criminal cell is linked to high-impact crimes such as homicides, unlawful deprivation of liberty, and human trafficking in various locations in the center and north of the state.
The operation in Las Compuertas
According to information provided by the Fifth Military Region of Jalisco, under whose jurisdiction the eleventh military zone of Zacatecas is located, the operation took place last Monday.
The events occurred while military personnel were conducting surveillance patrols in the Las Compuertas community. At that moment, the uniformed officers surprised several armed civilians rushing out of a home, carrying rifles and trying to escape into the vegetation.
Thanks to tactical protocols, the officers were able to surround and arrest the suspects, avoiding a confrontation that could have endangered the local population.
Long-barreled weapons and ammunition seized
After arresting the alleged criminals, the officers searched the home abandoned by the detainees. At the scene, they located a black Ram pickup truck, inside which they found an additional long-barreled weapon.
In total, 15 long-barreled weapons were seized, along with magazines and ammunition exclusively for the Army. Although the exact number of ammunition has not yet been released, authorities indicated that it is a significant amount, reinforcing the danger of this criminal group.
The Detainees and Their Origins
The 14 detainees were transferred to the city of Fresnillo, where they were placed under the custody of the Attorney General’s Office (FGR). Among those arrested are:
Crisóforo N.
Fernando N.
Celso N.
Rodrigo N.
Brayan N.
Daniela N.
Ancelmo N.
Omar N.
Fernando N.
Héctor N.
Joaquín N.
Kevin N.
Daniel N., originally from Nayarit
Miguel N., originally from Sinaloa
Most of those arrested are originally from Durango, which reinforces the hypothesis that this cell may have ties to criminal organizations operating in that region of the country.
Impact on Security in Zacatecas
The state of Zacatecas has been one of the hardest hit by violence in recent years due to the dispute between cartels for control of territory. Municipalities such as Fresnillo, Guadalupe, and Jerez have recorded high rates of homicides, kidnappings, and extortion.
The capture of these alleged criminals represents a significant blow to organized crime, although specialists point out that these types of arrests must be accompanied by a comprehensive strategy that addresses the social and economic causes that allow these cells to expand.
Inter-institutional Coordination
The success of the operation was possible thanks to the coordination between federal and state forces, as well as prior intelligence work that allowed the identification of this group’s area of operation. The participation of the Army and the National Guard has been crucial in Zacatecas, where local authorities have often been overwhelmed by the firepower of criminal groups.
According to the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena), these types of actions are part of the plan to restore peace in priority regions, among which Zacatecas occupies a central place due to its importance as a drug trafficking route corridor.
A Continuing Challenge
While the arrest of 14 suspected criminals and the seizure of weapons represents a significant achievement, the challenge of combating violence in Zacatecas remains. Civil organizations have indicated that in addition to military action, social programs, employment opportunities, and strengthening local security are needed to prevent new groups from occupying the spaces left by those dismantled.
For their part, local and federal authorities reiterated their commitment to maintaining the presence of the armed forces in the state and ensuring that those detained face the corresponding judicial process.
The arrest in Fresnillo of 14 suspected criminals linked to high-impact crimes demonstrates the operational capacity of the armed forces to confront organized crime in Zacatecas. The seizure of 15 long-range weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition confirms the danger of this group, whose dismantling could bring some relief to the local population.
However, violence in the region remains a structural challenge that requires joint security, justice, and social development actions to ensure lasting peace in the state.
Source: msn
