Wednesday, November 13, 2024

‘Narco-tunnel’ discovered during police raid in Xochimilco, Mexico City

Mexico City police discovered a narco-tunnel while conducting a series of raids in the southern borough of Xochimilco that netted the arrest of 27 people and the confiscation of a large quantity of illegal drugs.

The raids were part of an ongoing operation that began on Oct. 10 to address complaints about an increase in street-level drug sales in the borough, according to the newspaper El Universal.

The discovery of the tunnel was made when Mexico City Public Security Ministry (SSC) officials carried out five simultaneous raids in the borough known for its popular floating gardens, which are a major tourism attraction in Xochimilco.  

In collaboration with officers from the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office, the SSC officials executed five search warrants at six properties. 

The tunnel was found to connect two of the buildings that served as warehouses in the Santa Crucita neighborhood, reported the newspaper Milenio.

The initial discoveries produced by the search warrants led to 17 additional raids in 10 other neighborhoods in Xochimilco, according to El Universal. The last of the raids took place on Oct. 26.

In addition to securing the tunnel, the authorities reported confiscating more than 1,000 “doses” of cocaine, 364 packets of marijuana, three vehicles, an unspecified amount of cash, cell phones and unidentified “items of value.”

The news site Periódico Enfoque reported that several of the 27 suspects arrested had criminal records, with four of them having served time in Mexico City prisons on charges ranging from domestic violence to robbery and breaking and entering. The same source also reported that two of the suspects were members of an unidentified local security force.

Milenio reported that the suspects have been turned over to the Mexico City office of the Public Prosecutor, who will adjudicate the case.

With reports from Milenio, El Universal and Periódico Enfoque

1 COMMENT

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Abstract image of Mexican peso bills and US dollar bills in a chaotic pile

Mexico’s peso falls yet again as Trump cabinet picks spark concern

0
The peso fell against the US dollar for a third consecutive day on Tuesday, reflecting continued uncertainty about a Trump presidency in the U.S.
The Rio Grande river winding into the mountains of Big Bend National Park in Texas

As Mexico falls behind on Rio Grande debt, US and Mexico reach water treaty agreement

0
The provisions adjust an 80-year treaty sharing Rio Grande water that'll let Mexico get out from behind its water debt to the U.S.
Be Grand Ocean Nuevo Nayarit, designed by the firm Legorreta, will be the brand's first beachfront apartment complex.

Be Grand commits US $204M to luxury developments in CDMX, Nuevo Nayarit

0
The investment will be split between a fifth Be Grand Alto tower in Polanco, and a first-of-its-kind Be Grand Ocean Nuevo Nayarit.