**Primary Article: Federal Judge Orders Trial for ‘El Max’, Alleged Sinaloa Cartel Operator**
In recent developments, a federal judge has ordered the trial of Edwin Antonio Rubio López, known as ‘El Max’ or ‘El Oso’, who has been identified as an alleged operator for the Sinaloa Cartel in Baja California and other regions. The decision, made on October 31, 2024, concluded with the judge not only establishing a formal trial but also mandating preemptive detention at Almoloya de Juárez’s high-security prison, El Altiplano, in the State of Mexico.
Rubio López was apprehended on grounds of possessing fentanyl with the intent to sell, as well as possession of firearms and ammunition reserved for military use. The Fiscalía General de la República (FGR), or the Attorney General’s Office, will carry out a complementary investigation spanning the next four months.
The arrest was executed with the support of the Baja California State Attorney’s Office and was primarily based on an outstanding warrant for qualified homicide. Following the arrest, a rigorous security operation ensured Rubio López’s transfer to El Altiplano.
Omar Hamid García Harfuch, the Federal Secretary of Security, confirmed via social media that the arrest resulted from collaborative efforts among national defense and security entities. These actions are indicative of a larger strategy aimed at countering organized crime across Mexico.
During the operation to capture ‘El Max’, a confrontation between armed civilians and military personnel led to the death of 19 attackers, highlighting the dangerous environment in which such arrests are made.
**Secondary Article: Violence Erupts During Arrest of Sinaloa Cartel Affiliate**
The arrest of ‘El Max’ is part of a broader initiative under Mexico’s new internal security strategy. Tensions reached critical levels on October 21, 2024, when the Mexican Army, under the Plan of 100 Days, secured several weapons and tactical gear, as well as a number of vehicles from a rural location near Culiacán, Sinaloa.
SEDENA, in a statement, confirmed the operation aimed at reinforcing the rule of law in the region. This operation was marked by significant resistance from over 30 armed group members, resulting in a deadly encounter. The incident underscored the dire security situations faced by law enforcement agencies combating organized crime.
Authorities also noted prior incidents involving Rubio López in 2013, further entrenching his alleged involvement in extensive criminal activities, including the trafficking of cocaine and synthetic drugs from Mexico to the United States through trafficking routes in Tijuana.
Such operations stress Mexico’s continued efforts to dismantle cartel affiliates and disrupt their networks, aiming to bring down major figures like ‘El Max’. As the investigation unfolds, Mexican nationals and the international community will keenly observe how law enforcement handles high-profile cases pivotal to curbing violent crime waves.