An investigative report by Punto Norte alleges that a criminal group led by members of Mexico’s National Guard (Guardia Nacional), including at least one commanding officer, has been operating in Tijuana in collaboration with organized crime. The report claims the group has targeted wealthy surgeons and physicians, kidnapping them inside their homes and stealing large amounts of cash, luxury watches, jewelry, designer handbags, and other valuables worth millions of pesos.
According to the article, the perpetrators allegedly use official National Guard patrol vehicles, uniforms, weapons, and radio frequencies. Intelligence units from several law-enforcement agencies reportedly confirmed that the white patrol trucks seen during the robberies were authentic National Guard vehicles, although no authority had publicly acknowledged this at the time.
Case 1: Chapultepec (February 3, 2026)
The most recent incident allegedly occurred in the upscale Chapultepec neighborhood of Tijuana. Security-camera footage reportedly showed uniformed National Guard personnel forcing entry into the home of a bariatric surgeon and his anesthesiologist wife around 10:00 p.m. The victims said they were beaten, threatened, and held against their will while the intruders searched the residence and removed luxury items and cash.
The surgeon later stated: “They came into our house in National Guard-type vehicles… We are doctors. We have no problems with anyone. They had no search warrant.”
The victims also criticized the emergency response, saying help arrived too late after they contacted authorities.
Case 2: Colinas de Agua Caliente (December 18, 2025)
Another surgeon’s home was allegedly invaded by armed men wearing National Guard uniforms and tactical gear. The intruders claimed they had an arrest warrant related to the death of a patient and demanded access to a safe. When the doctor’s wife said she did not know the combination, the men allegedly threatened her and even threatened to make her baby disappear if she did not cooperate. Unable to open the safe, they reportedly removed it entirely and stole cash, jewelry, watches, and designer handbags before fleeing.
The article suggests the suspects may have had access to sensitive investigative information, since they referenced an actual patient death that had recently been under investigation.
Allegations of Official Inaction
The report states that both the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) and the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) had documented the incidents, but that no arrests, suspects, indictments, or suspensions had been announced at the time of publication.
Subsequent Developments
Following publication of the report, medical organizations in Tijuana publicly demanded investigations and accountability, saying physicians were living in fear because of the attacks.
Later, Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda stated that the work of the National Guard should not be tarnished by the actions of individual members and said that federal investigators were reviewing the allegations.
On May 28, 2026, Punto Norte reported that a sergeant and two National Guard agents had been formally charged in connection with one of the robberies involving doctors in Tijuana.
