Authorities in Mexico have dealt a significant blow to the financial and logistical backbone of the criminal group known as Los Mezcales, also referred to as the Cártel Independiente de Colima. In a coordinated effort led by the Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana alongside the Secretaría de Marina and the Fiscalía General del Estado, two high-ranking operators were captured in the Las Parotas neighborhood of the municipality of Colima, Colima, Mexico.
The primary target of the raid was identified as Abel Cisneros Segura (also referred to as Abel "N"), who is placed on the second tier of the organization's hierarchical structure. Investigators consider Cisneros Segura a primary generator of violence in the region, tasked with overseeing logistics, managing financial resources, coordinating operational support, and facilitating illicit undertakings across the state. In addition to his regional activities, official records indicate that he faces an active arrest warrant in Jalisco for qualified homicide.
Detained alongside him was Marcos "N," who is identified as the accountant for Cisneros Segura and the legal representative of fuel sales companies allegedly linked to the criminal entity. Security forces seized several items during the operation, including:
- Two long firearms (one in the possession of each individual)
- Ammunition and corresponding magazines
- Various other illegal items
Security experts and local observers noted that this strike severely weakens the administrative framework of Los Mezcales. Community members expressed cautious relief following the deployment, as the group has been tied to extortion, retail drug distribution, and violent offenses in Colima City, Villa de Álvarez, Tecomán, Armería, and Manzanillo. Both suspects and the confiscated weaponry were transferred to federal prosecutors to determine their legal status.
"This tactical operation stems from intelligence work designed to dismantle the operational and financial networks that threaten public safety in Colima," official representatives reported regarding the arrest.
This operation follows another strategic strike carried out in late August, when security forces arrested Carlos Miguel "N," alias "El Abulón," in Oaxaca Juárez, Oaxaca. "El Abulón," who held a top second-in-command role within the cartel, had fled Colima to evade justice before being located through cross-agency intelligence efforts involving federal authorities and the Fiscalía General del Estado de Oaxaca.
Los Mezcales originally functioned as a local faction aligned with the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), maintaining control over key transport corridors and the port of Manzanillo. However, a major internal dispute over extortion revenue, drug routing control, and growing distrust caused a permanent split in early 2022. Since declaring independence, the organization's conflict with CJNG has driven significant instability, armed clashes, and prison disputes throughout the state.
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