Suspected WhatsApp Drug Ring Dismantled in Mexico City
Northern Ireland Man Among Three Arrested with Drugs, Guns
Mexican authorities have arrested three men, including one identified as being from Northern Ireland, following a traffic stop in the Miguel Hidalgo borough of Mexico City. The suspects were found in possession of illicit substances, firearms, and a significant amount of cash.
Key Arrest Details
During the operation on Thursday night, officials stopped a high-end vehicle occupied by the three individuals. A search yielded approximately two kilograms of suspected drugs, a handgun with eight rounds of ammunition, and undeclared cash. The men have been linked to drug sales and distribution activities in several municipalities.
As a result of investigative and intelligence work to combat high-impact crimes, colleagues from @SSC_CDMX arrested three men in @AlcaldiaMHmx in possession of approximately 2 kilograms of suspected drugs, a handgun, live ammunition, and a high-end vehicle without license plates.
The detainees are allegedly linked to drug sales and distribution in the municipalities of #MiguelHidalgo, @TuAlcaldiaGAM, as well as in the municipality of #Huixquilucan, in the State of Mexico. pic.twitter.com/HhYq1QdD4o
— Pablo Vázquez Camacho (@PacoVazquezC) May 7, 2024
Undercover Operations Uncover Online Sales
Intelligence gathered indicated that the group was allegedly using WhatsApp to arrange drug deliveries across various neighborhoods. Surveillance revealed suspects posing on social media with firearms and showcasing packages of narcotics.
The detained individuals have been identified as 22-year-old Jackson Alan Patrick, who reportedly carried a Northern Ireland passport, 44-year-old Hugo Enrique, and 34-year-old Leopoldo Alonso. According to UNODC data, drug trafficking operations increasingly leverage encrypted messaging apps for coordination, mirroring the methods allegedly used by this group.
Continued Efforts for City Safety
Mexican authorities confirmed the handover of the suspects and seized items to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, who will determine their legal status. Secretary of Citizen Security Pablo Vázquez Camacho stated, “We continue working to identify and arrest those who commit crimes, bring them to justice, and continue building a safer, more just, and peaceful city.”
The operation occurred on Ejército Nacional Avenue in the Irrigación neighborhood after officers observed the suspicious vehicle. The investigation into the nationality of the man identified as coming from Northern Ireland is ongoing.
