Agents of the Secretariat of Citizen Security, in coordination with the Prosecutor’s Office, Army, Navy and National Guard, arrested four alleged CJNG members—including the leader—in Iztapalapa and Coyoacán, seizing over 600 doses of suspected drugs, live ammunition, vehicles, ballistic vests and forged documents.
Mexico City’s Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) announced the arrest of four alleged members of a criminal cell operating on behalf of the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG), including the group’s leader. In a coordinated operation conducted under two search warrants, law enforcement agents executed raids at properties in the Iztapalapa and Coyoacán boroughs, uncovering a significant cache of narcotics, weapons and fraudulent materials.
According to the SSC, the operation was carried out in close collaboration with the Mexico City Prosecutor’s Office, as well as units from the Mexican Army, Navy and National Guard. Agents moved in simultaneously on both locations in the early hours, ensuring that no suspects could evade capture. Authorities identified one of the targeted buildings in Iztapalapa as the cell’s primary hub, while the Coyoacán site served as a storage and distribution point.
During the searches, officers seized more than 600 individual doses of suspected illicit drugs, believed to include methamphetamine and fentanyl. In addition, personnel confiscated live ammunition, several vehicles used for transport, bullet-proof vests and an assortment of counterfeit official documents—including falsified driver’s licenses and identity cards—presumed to facilitate the cell’s clandestine movements across the capital.
The arrest of the cell leader marks a significant blow against CJNG’s efforts to expand its influence in Mexico City. Over the past year, authorities have documented a marked uptick in violent incidents and illicit trafficking linked to the cartel in various boroughs. By targeting the leadership structure of this localized cell, SSC officials aim to disrupt coordinated criminal activity and reduce the availability of hard drugs on city streets.
In a brief statement, the SSC emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation in dismantling organized crime networks. “This operation demonstrates our commitment to public safety and our ability to work hand in hand with federal forces and the Prosecutor’s Office,” said an SSC spokesperson. “We will continue to pursue all leads and ensure that those who endanger the lives of citizens are held accountable.”
Following protocol, the four detainees have been transferred to the offices of the Mexico City Prosecutor’s Office, where they will face formal charges of organized crime, drug trafficking and possession of illicit documents. A judge will determine preventive detention measures during an upcoming hearing. If convicted, the defendants could face decades-long prison sentences under Mexico’s stringent anti-narcotics laws.
This operation underscores a broader strategy by city and federal authorities to curtail CJNG’s reach beyond its traditional strongholds in western Mexico. It also follows a series of high-profile arrests earlier this year, including the capture of cartel operatives involved in extortion rings and targeted kidnappings. Security experts note that while removing key figures can create temporary disruptions, sustained pressure and continued intelligence-driven investigations are essential to prevent reorganization by remaining cell members.
Local community leaders in Iztapalapa and Coyoacán welcomed the SSC’s actions, expressing hope that improved security measures will deter further violence. Residents have reported a recent surge in street-level drug sales and related petty crime, fueling concerns about public safety. Authorities have reassured citizens that additional patrols and neighborhood outreach programs will be deployed to build trust and gather vital information from residents.
As the investigation progresses, SSC agents continue to analyze the seized materials—particularly the counterfeit documentation—to trace the cell’s network and identify any connections to other criminal groups. Officials stress that dismantling these illicit operations requires both robust enforcement and community cooperation, urging anyone with relevant information to come forward via the SSC’s anonymous tip line.
The arrests deliver a clear message: Mexico City’s security apparatus remains vigilant and resolute in confronting organized crime. With multiple agencies working in unison, authorities aim not only to disrupt existing cells but also to prevent the establishment of new criminal footholds in the nation’s capital.
