Operativo Enjambre: 31 Arrests Linked to 16 Murders and Corruption in Mexico State
- On November 30, 2024, the Mexican government announced Operation Swarm.
- In April, local authorities found a mass grave in two wells.
- They found nine bodies in one well, which was 40 meters deep, and one more body in another well about 300 meters away.
Title: Operation Swarm Targets Corruption in Mexico
On November 30, 2024, the Mexican government announced Operation Swarm. This operation aims to address corruption among public officials in the State of Mexico. It follows the discovery of 10 murdered individuals in two wells in Nicolás Romero in April.
In April, local authorities found a mass grave in two wells. The victims were mostly public transport drivers. They showed signs of torture and had their hands bound. The investigation began after a survivor reported the location of the bodies in the Mirador neighborhood of Nicolás Romero.
Investigators searched the area for four days. They found nine bodies in one well, which was 40 meters deep, and one more body in another well about 300 meters away. Eventually, authorities confirmed that there were 16 victims in total but did not disclose details of six bodies.
During the investigation, law enforcement discovered cellphones at the bottom of the wells. The phones contained images of the men being thrown in alive by their captors.
Following these events, in June, 21 individuals were arrested, including 10 local police officers. They were linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The investigation continued, leading to further arrests.
On November 22, the authorities executed Operation Swarm. They apprehended 10 more police officers from Nicolás Romero. In total, 31 people have been arrested for the murders.
Operation Swarm also resulted in the arrest of a municipal president, an honorary president of the DIF, eight public safety directors, and four security managers. These officials are suspected of ties to several criminal organizations, including La Familia Michoacana, CJNG, Unión Tepito, Nuevo Imperio, and Anti-Unión Tepito.