Massive seizure in Sinaloa: more than 400 drone explosives, landmines, and an arsenal of weapons seized

A major security operation in Mazatlán, Sinaloa , resulted in the seizure of an impressive arsenal of explosives, long-range weapons, and stolen vehicles. Members of the Ministry of the Navy (Semar) , in coordination with other federal and state security forces, found more than 600 improvised explosive devices , including landmines and drone-delivered devices, in one of the largest seizures in the region this year.

The discovery occurred during ground reconnaissance patrols conducted near the town of Pichilingue , part of the municipality of Mazatlán. There, officers located not only explosives, but also an arsenal of high-powered weapons , magazines, and live rounds of ammunition of various calibers.

According to information from the Sinaloa Public Security Secretariat (SSP) , 26 long-barreled weapons were seized at the site, including 24 assault rifles and two submachine guns. In addition, a grenade launcher tube with a grenade stuck inside was found, as well as 2,456 cartridges of various calibers and 15 magazines, all ready for use.

The seizure of this arsenal represents a severe blow to the criminal organizations operating in the area, as it demonstrates their firepower and the dangers that the use of this type of weaponry poses not only to security forces but also to the civilian population.

Five vehicles were found at the seizure site, two of which were reported stolen and one of which was armored. A stolen ATV was also found, allegedly used for the rapid transport of people or materials in the rural area.

These vehicles, according to authorities, are a key element in the logistical operations of criminal groups, as they allow for the discreet and rapid transport of weapons and explosives, as well as the movement of members of criminal cells in the region.

During the inspection, security personnel counted explosives of various types and sizes, designed to be planted as landmines or launched by drones. Among the items seized were:

• 431 small emulsions of mineral explosive , generally used as a primary or secondary charge in homemade devices.
• 75 large emulsions of mineral explosive , capable of causing significant damage to vehicles and infrastructure.
• 44 improvised explosive devices such as pressure landmines , designed to detonate when people or vehicles pass by.
• 41 improvised explosive devices to be launched by drone , which shows the use of technology for remote attacks.
• 18 improvised explosive devices weighing approximately 10 kg , also intended to be launched by drone and with high destructive power.
• 7 crimped detonators , used to detonate explosive charges.
• 1 roll of slow fuse of approximately one thousand meters , essential element for the remote or delayed activation of explosives.

The operation was carried out thanks to the coordination of the Navy , the Mexican Army , the National Guard (GN) , the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) , the Attorney General's Office (FGR) , the state Attorney General's Office , and the Sinaloa Public Security Secretariat . This joint effort made it possible to neutralize a major storage and distribution center for explosives and weapons that could have been used in violent actions in the state.

Everything seized was made available to the Attorney General's Office , which will determine the exact weight of the explosives and weapons, in addition to coordinating the safe disposal of the devices found to avoid further risks.

This seizure comes at a troubling time for the state, as, according to figures from the newspaper Noroeste , June was one of the most violent months in Sinaloa, with 212 intentional homicides , a figure that surpasses all records for the first half of the last fifteen years. The seizure of this arsenal confirms the firepower of criminal groups and the urgent need to strengthen security strategies in the region.

State and federal authorities reiterated their commitment to continue coordinated operations to weaken the criminal organizations operating in Sinaloa and ensure peace for its residents.