Nine searches in Oaxaca led to five arrests in an investigation into alleged drug sales and extortion through “gota a gota” lending.
Mexican authorities arrested five people during nine searches in Oaxaca, including a Colombian man suspected of leading a group involved in “gota a gota” lending. The operation also targeted properties allegedly connected to Los Cromos, while investigators examined possible links to the Sinaloa cartel.
Federal officials identified the Colombian suspect as Henry “N,” who was detained alongside Luis Adán “N” at a property in Salina Cruz. Officers reported finding suspected drugs there, although the quantity remained uncounted. Authorities also alleged that Henry had ties to a group led by someone known as “Bogar,” without explaining his role or the evidence supporting that connection.
The searches extended through Salina Cruz, Santo Domingo Tehuantepec, San Blas Atempa and Asunción Ixtaltepec. Three other men -Andrés “N,” Pablo “N” and Jorge “N”- were detained during the wider operation. All five were turned over to Oaxaca prosecutors for investigation and a determination of their legal status.
In Asunción Ixtaltepec, authorities reported recovering two .22-caliber handguns during Andrés’ arrest: a Mendoza bearing a Mexican Army cavalry emblem and a Jennings J-22. At another property, officers found approximately 24 packages of suspected marijuana and 32 of suspected crystal methamphetamine. A separate search yielded another 22 marijuana packages, 33 methamphetamine packages and three pipes. Two properties were also secured. These quantities exclude the substances still being counted at the Salina Cruz address.
An October 26 statement from Oaxaca’s Attorney General’s Office expanded the operational account. Prosecutors said the searches involved the Navy, Army, National Guard and state police, supported by a Black Hawk helicopter providing perimeter surveillance. Their announcement also included Juchitán de Zaragoza among the municipalities covered.
The statement identified Andrés as “El Primo,” an alleged territorial leader in Asunción Ixtaltepec. According to criminal-intelligence information cited by prosecutors, he had been appointed by the already-detained “Comandante Cromo.” The announcement described the wider investigation as targeting drug sales and extortion through “gota a gota” lending, but did not name Henry or confirm the suspected Sinaloa cartel connection.
The accounts leave the alleged networks’ relationship unresolved. They do not establish an alliance between Los Cromos and the Sinaloa cartel, nor do they explain the lending terms, collection methods or individual offenses attributed to each detainee. The arrests and reported seizures form part of an ongoing investigation.
