A confrontation on the afternoon of July 28, 2026, in the locality of San Francisquito (Mazatlán municipality), resulted in two hitmen killed, one arrest, and the significant seizure of weapons and tactical gear.
The operation stemmed from intelligence work targeting the security detail and operational arm of Adrián Antonio Pérez Avendaño—known as “El 20” or “El General.” He is an alleged operative for *Los Chapitos* (or *La Chapiza*), a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel linked to an ambush that killed five SEDENA (Army) personnel and to the “Culiacanazo” incident; he had previously been arrested in Villa Unión.
The intervention involved a contingent from the Inter-institutional Group, comprising the Mexican Army, National Guard, Navy (SEMAR), SSPC, FGR, FGE, and the Special Operations Group (GOES) of the State Preventive Police.
Security forces spotted a black 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV carrying three armed individuals on a rural road. A system check confirmed the vehicle had an active stolen-vehicle report and was displaying swapped license plates.
When officers attempted to intercept the vehicle *in flagrante*, the occupants opened fire; the officers returned fire in accordance with operational protocols. Following the exchange of gunfire, one hitman was killed at the scene, and two others were wounded.
Despite receiving initial medical attention from security forces, one of the wounded men died while being transported to the hospital, while the second survived and was taken into police custody.
