Mexico has destroyed over 100 tons of illicit substances and chemical precursors seized from various criminal groups during several security operations in the state of Sinaloa. On Thursday, the head of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FGR), Ulises Lara, announced this. In a media statement, the Mexican Prosecutor's Office hailed this action as «a highly significant event that undoubtedly greatly benefits the citizenry» and also «generated financial losses» for the criminal organizations affected by this operation. In total, over 105 tons of substances, including lead acetate, mercury chloride, acetone, hydrochloric acid, ethanol, and methanol, were seized and subsequently destroyed. The FGR official emphasized that actions like this prevent the seized substances from «reaching the streets to the detriment of the population». The operation, coordinated by the Security Cabinet, involved personnel from various agencies, including the state Prosecutor's Office and the secretariats of the Navy, National Defense, and Security and Citizen Protection, as well as the National Guard. The substances were transported from Sinaloa to the central State of Mexico, where a company «specialized in their destruction» is located. This new operation comes amid a deep violence crisis in the Mexican state since late 2024, due to an internal power struggle between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, which the United States declared a terrorist group last year. The dispute between Los Chapitos and Los Mayos has caused more than 1,800 deaths and over 2,400 forced disappearances since September 2024, according to figures from the State Public Security Council (CESP) NGO. On Wednesday, two state deputies from the opposition party Citizen Movement (MC) in Sinaloa were shot at; one is hospitalized in «grave» condition, while the other victim was reported as «out of danger». At her Thursday press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that her government is already «addressing» the attack and working with Sinaloa authorities to clarify the facts.
