Mexican authorities arrest three people in possession of 42 kg of fentanyl and seven kg of heroin in Baja California

Mexican authorities arrested three people, including one minor, in Tecate, Baja California for the transport and possession of illicit substances, including 42 kilograms of fentanyl and 7 kilograms of heroin.

The arrest was made as part of the national security strategy in Baja California in a joint effort by the national defense secretary (Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional, Defensa), national guard (Guardia Nacional, GN), secretary of the navy (Secretaría de Marina, Semar), attorney general’s office (Fiscalía General de la República, FGR) and the secretary of security and citizen protection (Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana, SSPC).

During routine security duties on the Mexicali – Tijuana highway, in the municipality of Tecate, officers observed three people traveling in a vehicle, who, upon noticing the presence of law enforcement, tried to evade them. To rule out any illegal behavior, the suspects were stopped and a preventative check was done.

Inside the car, several packages containing 42 kilograms of fentanyl and 7 kilograms of heroin were found. For this reason, the two adult passengers–male and female, both 48 years old–and a teenager, were informed of the reason for their arrest, their legal rights were read to them and they, along with the seized goods, were handed over to the corresponding public prosecutor, who will complete the investigation.

After cross-checking information, authorities learned that the detainees were linked to a criminal group operating in the northern part of the country. The economic damage caused by the seized drugs amounts to more than MXN 300 million.

Source: Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana).