Mexico arrests nine alleged criminals, including two wanted by Guatemala

Mexican authorities apprehended nine individuals in five separate operations across the southern state of Chiapas, which borders Guatemala. The arrests on Friday targeted alleged members of criminal groups, including two individuals sought by Guatemalan justice and several linked to international cocaine trafficking.

Omar García Harfuch, Mexico's Secretary of Public Security and Citizen Protection, announced the capture of Cristian Emmanuel Andrade Reyes, also known as Cadenudo or Coca. Reyes is reportedly involved in cocaine trafficking and acts of violence in both countries and faces an extradition order to Guatemala. Roberto Jeremías Pérez Monzón, another individual wanted by Guatemalan authorities, was also detained, along with alleged members of the 'Los Cuatetes' criminal organization, which is linked to homicides in the region.

Federal sources informed EFE that the 34-year-old Andrade Reyes is wanted by Guatemala for alleged drug-related offenses. Pérez Monzón, 35, has an arrest warrant in Guatemala for alleged extortion and illicit association. The detentions also included Michelle David Ramírez Carrión, 37, and Luis Iván Yuca Ruiz, 44, who are suspected of transporting cocaine via high-seas speedboats for distribution within and outside Mexico. These two are reportedly connected to the Sinaloa Cartel's 'Los Mayitos' faction.

During the arrests of Ramírez Carrión and Ruiz, authorities seized three long firearms, five magazines, ammunition, thirty doses of marijuana, and a vehicle. In another operation in Tapachula, a major city on Mexico's southern border, Jonathan Roberto Andrade Valcazar and a minor were arrested, also allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. Authorities also apprehended a 17-year-old minor in Huixtla, identified as a priority target and alleged perpetrator of violence linked to various homicides. This minor is reportedly associated with 'Los Cuatetes,' a group authorities also link to Agustín Alberto Vargas Muñoz, alias 'El Tun Tun,' who was arrested in possession of a handgun, ammunition, and doses of marijuana and methamphetamine.

Finally, in Tapachula, another 16-year-old minor was arrested, allegedly connected to 'Los Cuatetes' and found with a weapon, ammunition, and various doses of drugs. Chiapas has for years been the scene of disputes between criminal organizations vying for control of strategic routes for drug and arms trafficking.