In a statement, the National Defense Secretariat said Edwin Antonio ‘N’ a.k.s ‘El Max’, alleged leader of a group linked to ‘Mayo Zambada’ faction of the Pacific Cartel, had been captured the the day before in the rural community of Plan de Oriente, 11 kilometers east of Culiacan, capital of the northwestern state of Sinaloa.

More than 30 cartel members responded with fire to the troopers, who killed 19 of them and made the survivors flee the scene.

The Government claims the military acted in strict compliance of the law and with full respect for human rights and the National Law on the Use of Force’.

Troopers seized a building, four machine guns, 17 power weapons, five guns, a Barret rifle, a number of cartridges of different calibers, 13 tactical vests, nine ballistic helmets and seven vehicles.

According to the Ministry the detainee and the seized items were handed over to the Attorney General’s Office in Culiacan, to determine their legal status and continue with relevant investigations.

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