In an operation carried out by the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena), the alleged leader of a criminal cell in Sinaloa, Edwin Antonio Rubio López, known as "El Max," was arrested. He is believed to have been the operator of "El Mayo" Zambada in the region. The arrest took place after a confrontation between military personnel and approximately 30 hitmen, resulting in the death of 19 people in the rural community of Plan de Oriente, near Culiacán.
During the confrontation, 4 machine guns, 17 long guns, 5 handguns, 1 Barret rifle, 18 tactical vests, 9 ballistic helmets, 7 vehicles, and multiple cartridges of various calibers were seized. Both the detainee and the confiscated material were made available to the Attorney General's Office (FGR) for the corresponding investigations.
According to military intelligence, Rubio López was one of the priority targets in Mexico due to his involvement in crimes related to organized crime and drug trafficking to the United States. President Claudia Sheinbaum explained that the arrest was made within the framework of the law, responding to an attack on the armed forces during the operation.
Sheinbaum stated that any action resulting in loss of life is thoroughly investigated and assured that in this case, it was responded to according to the circumstances. The President ensured that the Government she leads is instructed to avoid confrontations and to act within respect for human rights. Edwin Antonio Rubio López, leader of a criminal cell, had been sought by authorities since 2019.
