Day 745: 28 Suspected Sinaloa Cartel Members Detained at El Roble 'Narcofiesta' Near Mazatlán

Elements of the Mexican Army's III Military Region and 9th Military Zone, backed by the National Guard, conducted land reconnaissance and surveillance patrols in the El Roble community south of Mazatlán on August 7, 2026, and detained 28 people — including at least two women — allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel who were gathered at a party ("narcofiesta"). Federal forces secured a property along with 15 long guns, 94 magazines, roughly 2,924 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, 40 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition, and 8 tactical vests with 16 ballistic plates. Initial reporting linked the detained cell to an operator known as "El Benny 17." The detainees and seized material were turned over to the FGR office in Culiacán for further investigation and to determine their legal status.