Guanajuato authorities dealt a second consecutive blow to the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel by seizing over 55,000 liters of illicit hydrocarbon in properties in Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas and Villagrán. The operation involved an armed confrontation that injured one officer. Weapons, vehicles, and stolen goods were also confiscated.
On February 25, elements of the State Public Security Forces of Guanajuato and the National Guard conducted an operation in the community of San Antonio de los Morales, in the municipality of Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas, following a citizen complaint. As they approached two connected properties, the agents were attacked by armed men, leading to a shootout. One state officer was injured but is recovering.
In the properties, authorities seized over 55,000 liters of illicit hydrocarbon stored illegally. The operation then extended to the adjacent area with Villagrán, reaching the community of Santa Rosa de Lima, a main stronghold of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel. There, they confiscated 5 long weapons, 17 magazines, over 400 useful cartridges, tactical equipment, 3 vehicles, and 310 boxes of allegedly stolen shock absorbers.
The Secretariat of Security and Peace of Guanajuato reported no civilian arrests. All seizures, including the huachicol, weapons, vehicles, and merchandise, were turned over to the competent authority for investigation files.
This action marks the second blow to the cartel in recent days. The previous Friday, state police seized a tanker with around 35,000 liters of huachicol in an illegal storage center in Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas, on the San Antonio de los Morales–San José de Guanajuato highway. On that occasion, there was also an armed attack and an injured officer, with no arrests. The day before, in Celaya, a tractor-trailer with approximately 46,000 liters of allegedly illicit diesel was seized.
