Operation in Chiapas: dismantling of junkyards and capture of drug trafficking ring

Photo: @ramirezlalo on X.

Manuel Collazo Gómez, historic Tsotsil leader of the Organization of Evangelical Peoples of the Highlands of Chiapas (OPEACH) is among the 16 detained, 15 of them arrested in possession of narcotics.

TUXTLA GUTIÉRREZ, Chis. In a joint operation carried out by federal and state forces, clandestine junkyards, stolen vehicles, illegal articles and a gang of drug dealers operating in the tourist city of San Cristóbal de las Casas were dismantled.

The operations were carried out in the northern part of the colonial city, inhabited mostly by Tsotsil and Tsetsal indigenous people, many of whom were expelled years ago for religious and political reasons.

This is the area where the phenomenon of gang members, known as “motonetos” because they travel on motorcycles and engage in contract killings and other illicit activities, has flourished.

Among the 16 detainees, 15 of them arrested in possession of narcotics, is Manuel Collazo Gómez, historic Tsotsil leader of the Organization of Evangelical Peoples of the Highlands of Chiapas (OPEACH) who is accused of crimes against peace, informed Attorney General Jorge Luis Llaven Abarca in a press conference.

The official pointed out that there was an arrest warrant against the Chamula leader, brother-in-law of the Morenista senator for Chiapas, Edith López Hernández.

Oscar Aparicio Avendaño, head of the People’s Secretariat, explained that the operation began at 4:00 a.m. and that more than two thousand elements of the recently created Pakal Immediate Reaction Force (FRIP), the National Guard, the Mexican Army and the Investigative Police of the State Attorney General’s Office participated.

“It was a planned operation; we already had specific points controlled so as not to have any harm to the civilian population. It was carried out with all certainty and quite good precision. 14 searches were carried out,” said Aparicio, pointing out that, in the actions led by him and the prosecutor, there was the support of two helicopters, two drones and 50 patrols.

More than 200 tons of auto parts, 100 vehicles, more than 120 motorcycles and 16 detainees were seized in the 14 raided properties that served as vehicle wrecking yards.

Llaven Abarca pointed out that, in the northern zone of San Cristóbal de las Casas, “there have been violent events, homicides -including two minors in December and January-, vehicle theft and other crimes. That is why this special operation was designed.

Photo: Chop shops and junkyards raided and dismanteled in the operation. Photo: State Attorney General’s Office.

“It has been difficult for the authorities to enter the northern zone. We had to plan the operation from the state’s level of responsibility. We know the challenge of implementing an operation there; we did it in a planned, surgical way. We entered at dawn and each cell had a precise instruction to comply with and that is why there was no violent reaction so far.”

43 days of fighting crime

The Attorney General informed that since December 8, when the current government began, more than 700 people have been arrested and “more than 90 percent of the road network is free. Free transit is guaranteed”.

“In 43 days of state government we have worked in all regions of the state to reestablish the rule of law and make it clear that there will be zero impunity for criminal conduct and there will be no vacuums of authority in any region of Chiapas.”

Llaven Abarca highlighted the coordinated work carried out in the security strategy by federal, state and municipal forces “to guarantee peace in the state. Up to this moment there has been no violence. This Sunday’s action has been a clean operational action.

Original text by Gabriela Coutiño published in Proceso on January 19th, 2025.
Translation by Schools for Chiapas.

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