Security forces' weapons seized in Mexico: Are police in league with drug cartels?

Drug cartels in Mexico have incited widespread street violence in recent weeks. Suspecting that local police forces are working with the cartels, the Mexican army has seized the officers' weapons and suspended them from duty until investigations are completed.

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Security forces' weapons seized in Mexico: Are police in league with drug cartels?

Violence continues in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state. It has been reported that the Mexican army, which is intervening in the incidents, has seized the weapons of the local police for inspection of licenses and serial numbers.

Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha made a statement following protests demanding the resolution of the violence caused by the Sinaloa drug cartel in Culiacan.

Rocha announced that the local police force of approximately 1,000 personnel, whose weapons were seized by the Mexican army, will be withdrawn from the streets.

The governor expressed hope that this situation would end soon.

Stating that soldiers, state police, and the National Guard will serve in the region until the police officers' weapons are returned and they resume their duties, Rocha said that the seizure of the weapons for the inspection of licenses and serial numbers was an 'exceptional' situation, not a routine check.

According to the AP news agency, the army has carried out similar practices before. The army has occasionally seized the weapons of some local police officers suspected of acting with drug cartels and carrying unregistered weapons.

Police forces, which were insufficient in suppressing the incidents in Mexico, left their places to the army

GOAL IS TO CREATE 'RELIABLE SECURITY FORCES'

The Mexican army seized the weapons of the municipal police in the city of Cuernavaca, Morelos state, in 2018, and reported that this measure was taken to ensure 'reliable security forces'.

Approximately 1,500 people, led by a group called 'Culiacan Valiente', held a protest on September 29 in Culiacan with banners reading 'Take back our streets!' to demand the resolution of the violence.

Clashes continue in Sinaloa state between those supporting the sons of Joaquin Guzman, nicknamed 'El Chapo', and those supporting Ismael Zambada Garcia, nicknamed 'El Mayo'. The clashes are believed to be a struggle for regional dominance between the cartels.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on July 25 that Garcia, the founder of the Mexican drug cartel Sinaloa, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of the organization's other founder Guzman, were taken into custody in Texas. Garcia, who appeared before a judge on July 27, was arrested.

Joaquin Guzman, nicknamed 'El Chapo', was sentenced to life imprisonment in a trial held in New York, USA, in 2019.