Cartels in Sinaloa Are Now Equipping Trucks with Anti-Drone Protection as Turf Wars Continue

The ongoing cartel turf war between the Mayiza and the Chapitos continues tormenting Sinaloa with deadly attacks happening sporadically across the state, particularly in the city of Culiacan and its surrounding areas. From war tanks, to drone bombs, cartel members are using technology to get a leg up in the conflict, and most recently, a confrontation uncovered their latest tool: anti-drone shields.

In the morning of December 26, residents of Costa Rica, a city 30 minutes south of Culiacán, witnessed yet another confrontation between the rival criminal groups, per a report from Infobae. Around four in the morning, residents woke up to gunshots, which authorities later confirmed, claimed the life of a man whose body was found outside a local bank.

During the investigation, federal agents secured a bullet-riddled white Chevrolet Suburban with a peculiar roof-mounted structure, which authorities are now describing as a shield to protect the vehicle against potential drone attacks.

Earlier this year, the Latin Times reported on several instances in which drones have been used by criminal organizations for trafficking and surveillance purposes. The technology is also being increasingly used to launch explosive devices directed at authorities and rival cartel members, per sources cited by the Associated Press.

In October, one of the deadliest months to date in the Sinaloa turf war, cartels started investing in everything from drones and drone jammers to surveillance cameras and narco tanks, which, in comparison to the new anti-drone shields, are easier to target by authorities.

The use of this sleek shield was noted by journalist Joseph Trevithick, who first noticed the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) using it. According to Trevithick, CJNG may have learned this tactical enhancement from Russian troops. The journalist tracked the anti-drone shields back to November 2021, when a Russian tank was spotted in Crimea with a "grill-like" structure mounted above its roof.

December 17 marked the 100th day since turf wars between "Los Chapitos" and "La Mayiza" —the two most prominent factions of the Sinaloa Cartel— erupted in the eponymous state, causing more than 500 deaths across the state as well as hundreds of disappearances. There were only two days in which no homicides were reported since September 9.

According to data from the National Public Security System (SESNSP) September saw 103 reports of intentional homicide. That figure rose to 141 in October, with November showing an increase to 169 cases. So far in December, authorities in Sinaloa say at least 88 homicides have taken place.

Most recently, Sheinbaum sent her security chief Omar Garcia Harfuch and thousands of troops to stem a bloody escalation in the turf wars engulfing Sinaloa, the most substantial deployment in at least six years.