Mexico dismantles over 750 drug labs under Sheinbaum, causing 'multi-million' cartel losses, says security chief

MEXICO CITY

Mexican Security Chief Omar García Harfuch on Tuesday detailed sweeping actions taken against drug cartels during the first six months of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, including the dismantling of more than 750 clandestine drug laboratories and the seizure of over 140 tons of narcotics.

Speaking at the government’s daily morning briefing, Harfuch said the operations have dealt “multi-million-dollar losses” to criminal organizations, particularly in methamphetamine production.

“To combat drug production, more than 750 clandestine laboratories and concentration areas for the production of methamphetamines have been dismantled in 17 states of the country,” he said, emphasizing the financial toll on cartels.

The strategy, a coordinated effort between federal police and military forces, has also led to the arrest of 17,258 individuals linked to high-impact crimes, he added.

Authorities have seized nearly 1.5 tons of fentanyl, more than 2 million fentanyl pills, and over 9,000 firearms, highlighting the breadth of the crackdown amid persistent pressure from the United States for Mexico to take more decisive action against drug trafficking networks.

Mexico continues to face a deep-rooted security crisis driven by cartel violence. According to the National Institute of Geography and Statistics, the country has a homicide rate of 11.7 per 100,000 inhabitants.

In 2024, 25,469 murders have been reported nationwide. However, the government noted a 14% drop in killings during Sheinbaum’s first half-year in office.

Seven states accounted for more than half of Mexico’s total homicides over the past six months: Guanajuato, Baja California, State of Mexico, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Guerrero, and Jalisco -- regions where powerful cartels continue to exert influence.