Teen suspect detained with big arsenal

Commander credits operations for weakening cartels

TIJUANA – The drug-trafficking problem ends the day weapons are no longer sold because criminals will no longer feel safe, said Gilberto Landeros, commander of the Second Military Zone.
“Weapons revitalize criminal groups,” he said, speaking at Morelos barracks after presenting for the media a young man allegedly associated with the Sinaloa drug cartel who was detained Saturday morning, the result of an anonymous tip.
The commander identified the suspect as 18-year-old Héctor Manuel Muñoz Solís. He was allegedly transporting an arsenal in his SUV that included a .50 caliber Barrett rifle and a U.S.-made anti-tank weapon, still in its case along with the manual.
It’s the second rifle of this type confiscated by the Mexican army in less than 15 days in the Tijuana area.
The military also seized three hand grenades, a CN Romarm 7.62 x 39 caliber assault rifle, 79 clips for AK-47 and R-15 assault rifles, 2,205 cartridges of various calibers, one uniform with the logo of the PGJE (state police agency) and fake guns.
According to Landeros, the weapons were inside an olive green, 2002 Ford Expedition with Baja California plates. The vehicle was parked in the Ramón López Velarde neighborhood of the La Mesa district.
Landeros said that authorities are worried that these types of weapons are circulating in the city. He said military operations against traffickers have led to major weapons seizures.
“We’re continuing to push to dismantle organized crime,” Landeros said.
The commander said that these operations had hit organized crime hard because not only were large quantities of drugs and weapons confiscated but many people presumably linked to the drug cartels were captured.
Just in April, authorities seized in various operations a total of 7.71 tons of marijuana, 19 rifles, 7,679 cartridges and 212 clips for various weapons, and 25 pounds of explosives.
Nearly all of these operations were the result of anonymous tips. The military continues to invite the community to report any suspicious activity on a special phone line that’s available 24 hours a day, (664) 685.02.97. Or people can send a an e-mail to: nosotrossivamos2zm@yahoo.com.mx, altoaladelincuencia2zm@hotmail.com, dinoaladelincuencia2zm@gmail.com o denuncia.2zm@gmail.sedena.gob.mx