Mexico’s drug cartel offensive: Over 750 labs dismantled In first six months

On April 8, Mexican Security Chief Omar García Harfuch announced the dismantling of over 750 drug labs and the seizure of more than 140 tonnes of narcotics during the first six months of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration.

Speaking at the government’s daily press briefing, Harfuch outlined how these operations have delivered “multi-million-dollar losses” to criminal groups, particularly in the production of methamphetamines, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

“To combat the production of illicit drugs, we have dismantled over 750 clandestine laboratories and methamphetamine production sites across 17 states,” Harfuch said, underscoring the financial toll inflicted on criminal organisations.

The coordinated crackdown, involving federal police and military forces, has also led to the arrest of more than 17,000 individuals connected to high-impact crimes, according to Harfuch.

In addition to drugs, authorities have seized nearly 1.5 tonnes of fentanyl, over 2 million fentanyl pills, and more than 9,000 firearms. The extensive operations come amid continued pressure from the United States, urging Mexico to take more substantial action against drug trafficking networks.

Despite significant challenges posed by cartel violence, which continues to fuel a deep-rooted security crisis, Harfuch noted a decrease in killings. The National Institute of Geography and Statistics reports a homicide rate of 11.7 per 100,000 inhabitants, with 25,469 murders recorded in 2024. However, the government highlighted a 14% drop in killings during Sheinbaum’s first six months in office.

The most significant violence occurred in seven states: Guanajuato, Baja California, State of Mexico, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Guerrero, and Jalisco. These regions remain under the influence of powerful cartels.

By Aghakazim Guliyev