From October 1, 2024, to January 15, 2026, 1,218 people have been arrested in Michoacán for high-impact crimes; and since the implementation of the National Strategy against Extortion on July 6, 2025, the incidence of this crime has decreased by 13.8 percent.
This was stated by the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, during the daily press conference and the Security Report, held in the Michoacán capital.
Before Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, the Security Cabinet, and the Governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, García Harfuch said that they have also seized 1,137 firearms, 144,000 rounds of ammunition, and more than 25 tons of drugs; in addition, the Army and Navy dismantled 18 methamphetamine production laboratories.
“Within the framework of this Strategy, 2,812 reports have been received through the 089 hotline, leading to the initiation of 158 investigations and the arrest of 118 people for this crime. Of these, 60 are considered priority targets, including four regional leaders. Additionally, seven criminal gangs dedicated to extortion have been dismantled.”
Since the implementation of the Michoacán Plan for Peace and Justice, the four pillars of the National Security Strategy have been reinforced. This includes the deployment of technological resources, specialized units to combat extortion, a standardized protocol for handling complaints, and training for 089 operators specifically for the state of Michoacán.
Actions have also been taken to strengthen the state police and prosecutor’s office through equipment, training, and joint operations with the Mexican government.
From November 10, 2025, to January 20, 2026, as part of the Michoacán Plan, 430 people were arrested, and 240 firearms, 16,836 rounds of ammunition, 347 vehicles, 200 explosive devices, 53 kilograms of explosive material, more than 700 kilograms of methamphetamine, 28,800 liters and 15,300 kilograms of chemicals used in methamphetamine production were seized. Additionally, 26 camps and 50 clandestine taps were disabled.
The Ministry of National Defense and the National Guard have conducted ongoing visits, patrols, and surveillance of avocado orchards, packing plants, and citrus processing facilities in various municipalities throughout the state to protect this productive sector.
Among the most significant actions in the state are the arrests of key figures in the violence who controlled extortion, drug distribution, and other criminal activities in the Tierra Caliente region, specifically in the departments of Apatzingán, Buenavista, Pátzcuaro, and Morelia. These include:
- Gerardo “N”, a known instigator of violence and responsible for directing extortion activities against lemon and avocado producers, drug distribution, kidnappings, homicides, and protection rackets.
- Nine other individuals were arrested, members of a criminal cell linked primarily to extortion, homicide, and kidnapping.
- Two more people were arrested, including Cirilo “N”, alias “El Capi”, a major figure in the violence, responsible for collecting protection money from lemon producers and business owners.
- Efraín “N” and Juan Carlos “N”, also linked to extortion in Buenavista Tomatlán.
Jhon Mario “N”, alias “Llanero”, responsible for extorting money from the lemon-growing sector in Apatzingán and Tierra Caliente, as well as recruiting members for a criminal cell.
Another individual was arrested in Apatzingán, responsible for collecting extortion payments from lemon producers.
In operations led by the Mexican Navy, maritime operations have been reinforced along the coast of Michoacán.
In four operations carried out in the port of Lázaro Cárdenas, three vessels were located and 15 people were arrested. 271 packages containing eight tons of cocaine were seized, dealing hundreds of millions of pesos in damages to organized crime and preventing millions of doses of these drugs from reaching the streets.
To dismantle the criminal group “Los Blancos de Troya,” arrests of its main operatives have been made in coordination with authorities in the state of Michoacán:
In Tuxpan, Marco Antonio “N,” alias “Pilones,” a close associate of César Alejandro “N,” alias “El Botox,” was arrested. His arrest provided crucial information leading to the subsequent arrest of this criminal leader. Both men are linked to the tragic murder of Bernardo Bravo.
César Alejandro “N,” alias “El Botox,” arrested in Apatzingán, is identified as the leader of “Los Blancos de Troya” and is connected to crimes such as homicide, extortion, vehicle theft, drug trafficking, and extortion of lemon and avocado growers, as well as attacks against law enforcement.
Source: quadratin
