Authorities said a cross-border raid by U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officials resulted in the arrest of 24 Sinaloa cartel members on Friday. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Gillian M Christensen said officials obtained netted assault-type weapons and hundreds of pounds of narcotics. The raid, dubbed Mexican Operation Diablo Express, targeted “high-level” Sinaloa cartel members who operate in the United States and Sonora state, Mexico. Mexican federal officers were brought into the United States to ensure safety during the operation. Christensen said, “Due to the sensitive nature, this operation was conducted with utmost secrecy to maintain the element of surprise and to ensure the safety of the Mexican law enforcement officers executing it.”
The sting comes after Mexican forces captured Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman this month. Various agencies took part in the raid, including Arizona law enforcement officials, the FBI, ICE, Homeland Security, and the Drug Enforcement Agency. Those arrested are in the custody of the Mexican government, but Christensen said the U.S. will seek their extradition because “The targeted Sinaloa cell has been responsible for the importation of millions of pounds of illegal drugs, including marijuana, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, into the United States from Mexico.” In addition to drugs, the organization also smuggles weapons and millions of dollars into Mexico.