Trump Effect: 27 Narco Labs Dismantled in Less Than Two Days

In a series of operations on February 21 and 22, state and federal agents dismantled nearly thirty drug labs in Sinaloa. According to authorities, these facilities were allegedly used to manufacture synthetic drugs.

Through a statement, the Interinstitutional Coordination Sinaloa detailed that the facilities were located thanks to surveillance efforts. The operations involved agents from the Mexican Army in the municipalities of Culiacán, Cosalá, and Mocorito.

The securing of the labs and the objects found at each site required the participation of elements from:

• National Guard
• Secretariat of the Navy (Semar)
• Attorney General's Office (FGR)
• State Attorney's Office (FGE)
• Public Security Secretariat (SSP)

Seized material in the drug labs

Among the materials and utensils secured, which were possibly intended for the production of narcotics, were found:

• Containers
• Reactors
• Gas tanks
• Drums
• Condensers
• Chemical precursors in unspecified quantities

At the end of the operation, the Interinstitutional Group achieved the disabling of 27 drug labs, weakening one of the main sources of synthetic drug production in the region.

Drug surveillance system dismantled in Culiacán

On February 22, the authorities of the Interinstitutional Coordination confirmed the removal of 87 surveillance cameras and five signal reception and transmission devices.

This equipment was allegedly used by organized crime to monitor security actions in the state capital.

The electronic devices were located in neighborhoods of Culiacán such as Lomas de la Rodriguera, 6 de Enero, Lomas del Magisterio, Vicente Lombardo Toledano, among others.

Details of the removed equipment

During the day of February 22, state and federal elements managed to remove:

• 37 wireless PTZ cameras
• 32 fixed wireless cameras
• 18 panoramic cameras

These cameras were reportedly installed by individuals on structures or public sites, without official authorization.

Through a statement, the Public Security Secretariat of Sinaloa reminded the population that placing such devices without authorization is an illegal act.

"Those[devices]that do not belong to the public security authorities' surveillance system will be removed," stated the SSP in its official bulletin.

Call for citizen reporting

Meanwhile, the agency called on citizens to report the existence or placement of these cameras in businesses or homes. Especially if they were installed without the consent of the property owners of each building.