In a significant development in the ongoing battle against organized crime, Mexican soldiers and police discovered a small factory used for manufacturing a specific type of bomb commonly dropped by drones. The workshop, located in the town of La Huacana in the western state of Michoacan, also produced under-barrel grenade launchers designed to be attached to assault rifles, along with counterfeit Mexican military uniforms.

According to prosecutors in Michoacan, this discovery was one of two workshops uncovered in La Huacana on Wednesday. Images released by authorities showcased soldiers seizing various items from the illicit operation, pointing towards the involvement of local gangs and the powerful Jalisco cartel in the area.

Michoacan has been plagued by brutal turf wars between these rival factions for years, resulting in a range of lethal weapons and strategies being employed. Drones equipped with explosives, along with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted in roadways, 50 caliber sniper rifles, homemade armored vehicles, and grenades have become disturbingly common tactics used by the warring groups. Additionally, the criminals often set up fake military checkpoints on highways, donning counterfeit military uniforms to deceive authorities and civilians alike.

In a separate operation carried out on the same day, authorities in Michoacan also announced the discovery of a narcotics lab containing approximately 300 kilograms of drugs. Alongside the drugs, 140 empty AK47 rifle magazines and uniforms adorned with military insignia were seized, further bolstering suspicions of cartel involvement.

This recent development comes just a few weeks after an alleged cartel attack involving drones claimed the lives of at least six individuals, leaving another 13 injured in southern Mexico. The incident served as a stark reminder of the escalating use of drone technology by criminal organizations and their growing sophistication in carrying out attacks.

Mexican authorities continue to combat the influence and violent activities of cartels and local gangs, striving to bring stability to regions like Michoacan that have suffered from their reign of terror. The discovery of this bomb-making workshop, alongside the narcotics lab, represents a significant step forward in dismantling these criminal networks and ensuring the safety of the citizens in the affected areas. Further investigations and actions are expected to follow to quell the ongoing violence and dismantle the infrastructure that fuels it.