Mexico City police nab four suspects in deadly cartel-linked shooting

Mexico City police have arrested four men linked to a deadly shooting in Santa Cruz Meyehualco. The incident, which took place on March 5, 2026, left two people dead. Authorities later found the suspects in possession of drugs during a separate operation in Iztapalapa.

The arrests come amid ongoing violence in the area, where cartel-related crimes have remained high over the past year.

The shooting occurred in the Milpa Alta borough, where police launched an immediate search with support from the East Command and Control Center (C2 Oriente). Officers later spotted two motorcycles in La Polvorilla, a neighbourhood in Iztapalapa. The suspects were seen exchanging packages that appeared to be drug-related.

A search of the suspects yielded 60 small plastic bags containing a green, dry herb believed to be marijuana. Police also confiscated three cellphones. The four men—aged 20, 22, 26, and 37—were detained and handed over to the public prosecutor. The 37-year-old suspect had previously faced legal trouble, having been summoned in 2020 for charges of negligent injury. The recent shooting adds to a pattern of violence in the region, with at least three cartel-related homicides reported in the past 12 months. These include a July 2025 shooting that killed two locals and a November 2025 ambush that left one dead. Authorities attribute much of the unrest to groups like Unión Tepito, which are involved in drug trafficking and extortion.

The arrests follow a string of violent incidents in Santa Cruz Meyehualco and surrounding areas. Crime levels have not decreased, with cartel activity continuing to fuel instability. The four suspects now face further investigation in connection with the March 5 shooting and drug possession charges.