Security Reinforced on Aldama-Ojinaga Highway with 40 Additional State Police Officers

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

According to Ricardo Realivazquez Domínguez, Undersecretary of Police Deployment for the State Public Security Secretariat (SSPE), within a 10-day span—following the assignment of 40 additional officers to patrol the highway stretch running from Aldama to Ojinaga—authorities have seized six stolen vehicles (two of which were burned out) and dismantled several encampments and a ranch that criminal groups were using as temporary operational bases.

This action was taken in response to reports filed on April 22, in which seven vehicles were stolen—in separate incidents involving the use of violence—at various points along the route. Consequently, starting from that date, the permanent patrol presence of these 40 SSPE officers—specifically drawn from the SWAT unit—was added to the ongoing operations conducted by the Inter-institutional Operations Bases (BOI).

“We currently have around 40 officers deployed for this operation; however, it is important to highlight the existing coordination with the National Defense Secretariat, the National Guard, the municipal police forces of both Aldama and Ojinaga, and the State Investigation Agency,” he stated in an interview with *El Heraldo de Chihuahua*, emphasizing that the reinforcement provided by these 40 officers has yielded significant results.

In this regard, he noted that among the results achieved in recent days—specifically concerning the report regarding the seven vehicles stolen at various locations and incidents along the Aldama-Ojinaga corridor—key highlights include the seizure of several vehicles reported stolen in the United States, as well as two additional burned-out vehicles, which are currently undergoing forensic testing to determine if they were linked to any criminal activity. As a result of said operation, SSPE special forces were attacked by armed men who opened fire on the officers using .50-caliber weapons. Consequently—once the state police officers managed to call for backup—they withdrew to safety.

Another highlight noted by Realivazquez Domínguez was the seizure of two encampments located in the desert region connecting Aldama with Coyame and Ojinaga; these sites were used for the temporary or permanent housing of organized crime groups. “We also have a record of weapons seizures dating back to before this recent period,” he added.

One of the most recent interventions took place on April 28, when—through inter-agency collaboration with the National Guard and the Mexican Army—authorities seized a vehicle featuring improvised armor plating, along with a firearm and tactical gear, in the locality of Chorreras, within the municipality of Aldama. During the deployment, personnel cleared 27 caltrops from the roadway, thereby allowing surveillance operations to proceed safely.

While en route, officers located a gray Dodge Ram pickup truck that appeared to have been abandoned. Upon inspection, they confirmed that the vehicle was fitted with improvised armor; inside, they discovered a long gun, a tactical vest, a magazine pouch, and live ammunition of various calibers.

Following this seizure, officers located a nearby encampment—presumably used for “spotting” (surveillance for criminal groups)—where they found provisions, clothing, and tactical footwear. The site was subsequently dismantled by security forces.

Prior to the arrival of the 40-officer reinforcement contingent, on April 10, another criminal encampment was located and dismantled—resulting in the seizure of tactical gear—by the SSPE’s Deployment Police, acting in inter-agency collaboration within the municipality of Aldama, near the junction leading to the communal land of Chorreras.

The site was pinpointed during an operation supported by a helicopter, from which the encampment was detected situated atop a hill. Subsequently, on land, agents seized 10 rifle magazines, 20 live rounds, two magazine pouches, a portable solar panel, and a portable radio charger. As a result of this discovery, an operation was deployed in Chorreras and the surrounding areas to locate and apprehend potential instigators of violence in the region.

Source: El Heraldo de Chihuahua