Mexican authorities arrest leaders of Los Pichilinguillos in Michoacán

Mexican security forces, led by the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), have dismantled the criminal structure of Los Pichilinguillos following the arrest of three brothers in Coahuayana, Michoacán. The detainees, identified as Leobardo, Leopoldo, and Bernardo Pulido Lombera, are alleged to be leaders of the group, which maintains ties to the Cárteles Unidos.

Authorities state the organization controlled maritime routes used for the international trafficking of cocaine along the Pacific coast, specifically between Faro de Bucerías and Huahua in the Aquila municipality. These routes were reportedly used to land drugs from Central and South America for distribution toward central Mexico and the United States.

The operation involved coordinated efforts between Semar, the Secretariat of Security and Protection of Citizens (SSPC), the Attorney General's Office (FGR), and state-level prosecutors. In addition to drug trafficking, the Pulido Lombera brothers are linked to crimes including kidnapping, homicide, and extortion. The suspects were transferred to Mexico City to face judicial proceedings.