 |
| Photo by: Jorge Rios |
From January 31 to February 1, the Community Police of Guerrero carried out operations in Petaquillas in order to support the residents and to maintain order. During the operations, they managed to arrest 18 people, secure an AK-47, an HK, a .38 caliber pistol, 40 kilos of marijuana, a cellphone, a bulletproof vest, cartridges, and a vehicle.
After the day in which residents of Petaquilla asked for the help of the United Front for the Security and Development of the State of Guerrero (FUSDEG), patrols were carried out during the night.
 |
Photo by: Rogelio Agustín |
During their first patrol around 12:40, the Community Police stopped a passenger truck which was discovered to be carrying 40 kilos of marijuana, while the weapons were seized during another patrol in a white vehicle.
Around 14:30, sightings of armed men were reported in the hills behind a police station, prompting the deployment of a siege by community policemen on foot and in trucks.
 |
| Photo by: Ezequiel Flores |
A shootout occurred which helped obtain the location of the suspects. Three people were detained; two men and a woman.
 |
Photo by: Rogelio Agustín |
Of the 22 people detained in three days, 12 have been released. The 10 who remain detained might be handed over to authorities since they have been accused of killing and being informants for organized crime. The 12 who were released were released since they felt that their crimes weren’t as severe.
“This system does not have the capacity to serve a murderer, that is why the authorities must do their part,” said Salvador Alanís Trujillo, one of the commanders.
“It is not right, but during these times, even those who are less suspected are detained”.
It was noted that within 72 hours of the arrest, the security system should support the charges against the suspects.
According to an evaluation by FUSDEG, Petaquillas is 80% cleansed of people related to organized crime, although it was not explained what type of mechanism was used to come up with this finding.
According to the commander, in Petaquillas, a criminal organization operates in which until recently was unheard of.
The community policemen set up three monitoring points throughout the town, at the bottom of an overhead bridge that connects the federal highway México-Acapulco, at the main entrance to the town, and on the interstate that leads toward Mochitlán.
Small groups in trucks and small cars carry out patrols in neighborhoods, while commandos walk up into the hills to prevent the entry of criminals.
Sources: Milenio, Milenio, El Universal