# Mexico security crackdown on armed groups > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-security-crackdown-on-armed-groups > Updated: 2026-09-05T21:29:19.000Z. Sources: 103. Developments: 10. In mid‑July 2026 Mexican security forces launched a coordinated wave of raids across dozens of states, seizing firearms, ammunition, drugs, chemicals for drug production, exotic animals and other contraband while arresting dozens of suspects. A notable clash in Campo El Diez, Sinaloa, left a marine dead and resulted in the capture of four armed men in Culiacán with rifles, a pistol and more than 1,600 cartridges; a truck in Navolato was found with two AK‑47s and ammunition. The operations extended to Baja California, Mexico City, Estado de México, Jalisco, Michoacán, Oaxaca and other locations, where methamphetamine, marijuana, large‑scale weapon caches and tactical gear were recovered. In Arteaga, Michoacán, two suspects were detained after a vehicle chase, and in Matamoros an army unit seized an arsenal that included a foreign national. On 23 July a Code Red security operation was activated in Alvarado, Jalisco, after residents reported gunfire near the Valente Cruz colony. Forces cordoned the area, conducted patrols and inspections, and reported no injuries or arrests. A week later, raids in Chalco, Reynosa, Concordia (Sinaloa) and Nuevo Laredo reproduced earlier patterns: two men from a vehicle‑theft cell were arrested; short firearms and magazines were found hidden in a bus in Reynosa; three AK‑47s, thousands of cartridges and tactical gear were recovered in Concordia; and a regional Sinaloa Cartel leader, Adrián “N” (alias “El 20”), was captured in Mazatlán with heavy weapons and a vehicle. Hydrocarbon‑theft cells “Los Patrones” and “Los Rebollo” were dismantled in the State of Mexico, yielding gasoline, cash, weapons and vehicles, and navy personnel were summoned to testify in a fuel‑theft probe. In August, operations intensified in Michoacán under ‘Plan Michoacán’. During this period, the Mexican Navy (Semar) intercepted a vessel 315 kilometers southwest of Zihuatanejo carrying 1.9 tons of suspected cocaine, resulting in two arrests. ## Claims - At least seven to twelve major road blockades were reported across various Michoacán municipalities. (disputed by 9 sources) - Among those detained are the partner and daughter of the cell leader, Heraclio Guerrero Martínez, known as 'Tío Lako'. (disputed by 6 sources) - Heraclio Guerrero Martínez, alias 'Tío Lako', was not captured during the operation. (disputed by 3 sources) - A total of 24 road blockade points were reported in Michoacán. (disputed by 2 sources) - Criminal groups responded to the federal operation by burning vehicles and blocking numerous highways. (corroborated by 15 sources) - A federal operation was launched to detain one or more high-value criminal targets in Michoacán. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The operation may be targeting Heraclio Guerrero Martínez, known as 'El tío Lako' of the CJNG. (corroborated by 8 sources) - A secure corridor has been launched in the Los Reyes-Jacona region to strengthen police coverage and response capacity. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The security scheme includes permanent patrols, surveillance, monitoring, emergency response, and roadside assistance. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The operation involves coordination between the National Guard, Civil Guard, SEDENA, municipal police, and indigenous self-governments. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: Buenavista security operation results in seizure of weapons and armored vehicles Mexican security forces seized six long guns, explosives, tactical gear, and armored vehicles during a search operation in Buenavista, Michoacán. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/buenavista-security-operation-results-in-seizure-of-weapons-and-armored-vehicles ### 2026-08-26: Michoacán launches secure corridor in Los Reyes-Jacona region Michoacán Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla launched a secure corridor in the Los Reyes-Jacona region, involving federal and local forces to protect vital economic routes and the avocado industry. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/morelia-vehicle-collision-involves-red-cross-ambulance-and-cecytem-truck ### 2026-08-24: Mexican security forces seize arsenals in Tamaulipas and Nuevo León Mexican security forces seized various arsenals, including machine guns, long guns, and ammunition, during operations in Tamaulipas and Nuevo León. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-security-forces-seize-arsenals-in-tamaulipas-and-nuevo-len ### 2026-08-17: Michoacán: Federal operation against CJNG triggers violent road blockades Mexican federal forces arrested nine suspected CJNG members in Michoacán, including relatives of leader 'Tío Lako'. The operation triggered violent road blockades and vehicle burnings across the state. 59 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michoacn-fge-offers-reward-for-three-missing-persons ### 2026-08-15: Michoacán prioritizes security funding and sea turtle conservation Michoacán is investing 5.8 billion pesos in security to combat firearm trafficking while simultaneously leading global efforts in sea turtle conservation through a network of 27 specialized camps. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michoacn-leads-mexico-in-firearm-seizures-under-security-plan ### 2026-08-11: Mexican security forces seize firearms and vehicles in Michoacán and Tamaulipas Mexican security forces seized various firearms, including a Barrett rifle, ammunition, and stolen vehicles during separate operations in Michoacán and Tamaulipas. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-security-forces-seize-firearms-and-vehicles-in-michoacn-and-tamaulipas ### 2026-08-06: Mexico security forces seize weapons, drugs in city raid and prison sweep Mexico’s security forces seized weapons, drugs and phones in a city raid in Miguel Hidalgo and a prison inspection in Aguaruto, detaining two suspects and confiscating contraband. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-security-forces-seize-weapons-drugs-in-city-raid-and-prison-sweep ### 2026-07-28: Mexico security forces launch raids against organized crime Mexico's security forces conducted multiple raids, arresting crime suspects, seizing weapons and fuel‑theft operations, and securing testimony in the Farías Laguna case. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-security-forces-seize-dozens-of-firearms-and-ammunition-in-coordinated-operations ### 2026-07-22: Mexican security forces launch Code Red operation in Alvarado after gunfire, seize weapons near El Colorado Mexican police, National Guard and army launched Code Red in Alvarado after gunfire and seized weapons and vehicles near El Colorado; no injuries reported. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-security-forces-launch-code-red-operation-in-alvarado-after-gunfire-seize-weapons-near-el-co ### 2026-07-13: Mexican security forces seize weapons, arrest suspects across several states Mexican security forces conducted raids across several states, arresting suspects and confiscating weapons, ammunition and drugs, including a deadly shootout in Sinaloa. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-chamber-of-deputies-to-send-7-tons-of-aid-to-earthquakestricken-venezuela --- Cite as: Mexico security crackdown on armed groups. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-security-crackdown-on-armed-groups