Six Suspected Criminals Arrested in Chiapas Operation; Weapons and Drugs Seized

A joint operation by military and police forces in Jiquipilas, Chiapas, resulted in the arrest of six individuals suspected of belonging to a criminal group. The operation, which included troops from the VII Military Region, the National Guard, and Federal and State Police, took place in a municipality that has recently seen a surge in violence, forced disappearances, and the impeachment of its mayor, Blanca Yanet Chiu López.

During a raid on a suspected safe house in the town center on Friday, authorities apprehended five men and one woman. Inside the residence, they discovered a significant cache of weapons and drugs. Among the seized items was a Browning M2 .50 caliber machine gun, capable of damaging armored vehicles. Additionally, five AK-47 rifles, 16 magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and 100 doses of crystal methamphetamine were recovered.

The five arrested men were identified as José H.C., Jacobo T.R., Ezequías T.R., José Luis R.N., and Gerardo D.C. The woman arrested was identified as Rosalba R.Z. All six detainees, along with the confiscated weapons and drugs, were transferred to the Public Ministry for legal proceedings.

Jiquipilas has been a focal point of concern due to escalating criminal activity. Recent events include the kidnapping of José Rodrigo Betancourt Ruiz, son of the delegate for the National Water Commission in Guerrero and former Public Works Secretary in Chiapas. The municipality has also experienced forced disappearances, armed confrontations, and ambushes targeting military and police forces, highlighting a pervasive security crisis.