Police in Sinaloa, Mexico, opened fire on a drug‑cartel group in the town of La Brecha Monday afternoon, killing 13 suspected members and freeing nine people who had been kidnapped. Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said police captured dozens of vehicles, weapons and tactical gear during the operation. The shootout highlights the growing violence that grips the state, a region that has become a battleground for rival factions such as Los Chapitos and La Mayiza.
Sinaloa’s drug‑related conflict began when the son of notorious narco‑boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán kidnapped a cartel leader. The captive was later turned over to U.S. authorities on a private plane, sparking a hostile war between the two gangs. Since then, the province has recorded more than 1,700 fatalities, including 57 minors, and nearly 2,000 missing persons.
Recent killings have taken a gruesome turn. In late June, police found 20 bodies, four of which were decapitated and hung from a bridge near a plastic bag of heads. In September, authorities uncovered ten bodies—including ones in sombreros with pizza slices and knives. These incidents underscore the brutality that has become routine in Sinaloa’s drug‑trade turf wars.
The latest ambush in La Brecha came after the cartel hid under a bridge, preparing a surprise attack on police patrols. The confrontation lasted only a few minutes, but the gunfire was lethal. Police officers were prepared for the ambush and responded quickly, neutralizing the threat and securing the scene. The operation also freed a number of civilians who had been held by the cartel fighters.
Security officials say the operation demonstrates the effectiveness of joint forces, but it also highlights the urgent need for broader reforms. Authorities are still working to curb the escalating crime that has spread across the state. The killings show how serious the situation is for residents who live in constant fear of violence.
Sinaloa’s struggle against organized crime is far from over. Still, police actions like the La Brecha shootout give hope that the government can make headway against the entrenched drug‑cartel networks that threaten public safety and stability in the region.
Source: New York Post
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