**Guardia Nacional Officers and Alleged Cartel Operatives Set for Trial**
Six members of the National Guard, along with purported operators from the Arellano Félix Cartel (CAF), have been linked to criminal proceedings and are being held in preventive detention in a Hermosillo, Sonora prison. The individuals were apprehended on September 26, following suspicious activities involving a National Guard patrol seen outside of its designated area.
A military unit noticed the National Guard patrol behaving unusually and approached the agents, who claimed they were assisting a search operation without specifying whether it was state or federal. During this interaction, two men emerged from a nearby warehouse, claiming to be Federal Prosecutor’s Office agents, presenting counterfeit badges. Verification revealed that they were impostors and no official operation was authorized in the vicinity.
Authorities arrested the individuals, confiscating fraudulent badges and unauthorized firearms. Inside the warehouse, additional detainees were found, including Luis Dagoberto Mendía Ruíz, allegedly affiliated with the CAF, and a young man named Munguía Gil, linked to a known CAF leader. Furthermore, a jar containing 1,145 fentanyl pills, along with over a kilo of opium and various unauthorized weapons, was discovered onsite.
At the hearing on October 4, attorneys represented the accused, facing scrutiny from the judge for their conduct, resulting in fines for contempt. Ultimately, the judge ordered a trial for all involved, citing impersonation, drug offenses, and illegal weapon possession among the charges. Despite prosecutors asking for a 90-day investigation period, the court granted two months for further inquiries, enforcing preventive detention to ensure safety as threats circulated on social media.
**Additional Updates on Organized Crime in Baja California**
In a continued crackdown on organized crime, officials in Baja California have reaffirmed preventive detention for police personnel implicated in the disappearance and subsequent murder of a merchant in Tijuana. This decision aligns with broader efforts to address corruption and criminal activities within law enforcement agencies in the region. The case underscores ongoing challenges faced by the state in maintaining security and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, recent developments saw the appointment of new magistrates in Baja California’s judicial system, raising hopes for more effective legal responses to crime. These strategic changes are perceived as part of a larger push to stabilize the region and restore public confidence in legal institutions amidst persistent cartel-related violence.