Warns of Cartel Infiltration in Local Police Forces
On September 2, Mexico’s Secretary of Defense Luis Sandoval announced federal action to counter an infiltration of organized crime elements into local police agencies in the state of Sonora, Mexico.
Sonora newspaper El Imparcial reports that Sandoval, who was accompanied by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Sonora Governor Claudia Pavlovich, announced a “purification process” for local police agencies would begin immediately.
The initial action will include the municipalities of Cajeme (Ciudad Obregon), Hermosillo, Guaymas (which includes Guaymas and San Carlos), Empalme and Navojoa.
Sandoval also noted that local police in the state of Sonora are understaffed by 40 percent.
Because of this, 4000 soldiers of the National Guard and federal military forces have been deployed to Sonora in permanent positions.
In addition to policing, their objective will be to increase intelligence activities against the operations and logistics of criminal organizations in Sonora.