Two US Embassy Staffers and Chihuahua AEI Director & Agent Killed in Car Accident After Narco Lab Raids in Rural Morelos

“Socalj” for Borderland Beat

Chihuahua FGE head, César Jáuregui Moreno, announced the deaths of two members of the State Investigation Agency (AEI), as well as two instructor officers from the United States Embassy.

As previously reported by Borderland Beat, two large drug laboratories were raided in a rural area between Morelos and Guachochi, Chihuahua.

Two AEI agents and two US Embassy personnel, along with four other vehicles, were returning from the area near Morelos where authorities found the two clandestine synthetic drug and methamphetamine laboratories, when their vehicle was involved in an accident resulting in their deaths.

Initially, US Ambassador Ronald Johnson, without mentioning details of the incident, posted news of the tragic accident.

During a conference on April 19, the state prosecutor confirmed the four deaths, identifying the Mexican Agents as First Commander and Director of the AEI, Pedro Román Oseguera Cervantes and his bodyguard/escort Manuel Genaro Méndez Montes.

He mentioned the “two instructor officers from the United States Embassy,” who, he detailed, died in an accident while returning from the operation to destroy clandestine laboratories in the municipality of Morelos.

Synthetic Drug Labs Raided

During the press conference on April 19, authorities reported on the discovery of the two clandestine synthetic drug laboratories, as well as a camp with supplies in the municipality of Morelos. Photos of the lab seizure had previously been shared via Chihuahua FGE’s website and social media.

Locating and destroying the aforementioned facilities required three months of work. While the official mentioned two laboratories, the report indicates there were six.

“These laboratories were located in the municipality of Morelos, in the southern part of the state. In an open area of approximately eight hundred and fifty square meters, divided into five areas,” added César Jáuregui.

Initial reports on the lab raids do not mention any involvement of US agents or authorities.

Two methamphetamine laboratories were located in the Sierra Tarahumara, between the municipalities of Morelos and Guachochi in Chihuahua, during a joint operation conducted by the State Investigation Agency (AEI), the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), and the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Strategic Operations.

At the site, authorities discovered two facilities suspected of being used for the production of synthetic drugs, as well as an evidence of a camp.

The discovery took place approximately 9 hours from Chihuahua City, in a border zone between the municipalities of Guachochi and Morelos, where the authorities had arrived.

At the first camp and laboratory, the following was discovered:

2 boilers and pallets with sacks marked “Tquisa”

19 1,000L drums

17 1,000L containers

14 tanks with acetone

14 containers with a white material

16 containers with a black material

4 tanks of a black material

15 ovens and over 100 gas cylinders of various sizes

Convoy Accident

The accident happened in the early hours of the morning.

According to the Chihuahua prosecutor, the accident occurred when a convoy of five vehicles was involved in an accident around 2:00 AM as the group was returned from the lab’s location.

“The vehicle involved in the accident was that leading the group and allegedly it skidded off the road, falling down a ravine before exploding.” César Jáuregui mentioned at the press conference.

The two AEI officers who died in the accident.

“Our deepest condolences and prayers for the families of those who died in this tragic accident,” added Jáuregui Moreno.

The Secretary of Public Security of Chihuahua, Gilberto Loya, shared a message regarding the death of Román Oseguera Cervantes.

“I recognize his commitment and work in favor of security. To his family, friends, and colleagues, I send my deepest condolences and all my solidarity in this difficult time,” the official shared.

The Governor of Chihuahua Maru Campos, shared a message on her social media about the death of Pedro Román Oseguera.

“I want to express my deepest condolences to the wife, children, family, friends and colleagues of Maestro Pedro Román Oseguera Cervantes, General Coordinator of the State Investigation Agency, who lost his life in the line of duty, working for the peace and security of the people of Chihuahua.”

Who are the US ‘Training Instructors?’

According to the Chihuahua prosecutor, the two US agents were training officers from the U.S. Embassy, conducting training exercises, according to the official. The agents’ deaths were also commented on social media by Ambassador Ronald Johnson, who highlighted the risks faced by security personnel from both countries.

“We deeply regret the tragic loss of two U.S. Embassy staff members, the Director of the Chihuahua State Investigation Agency (AEI), and one of the agency’s agents in this accident. We recognize their dedication and tireless efforts in addressing one of the greatest challenges of our time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones.”

Often, the term US Embassy staff members is used as generic cover terms for certain law enforcement, intelligence officers or contractors. There has long been joint training between US and Mexican forces and police. However, given the distance travelled to the labs, it is likely the US officers were present during the raids.

Sources Infobae, US Ambassador, Borderland Beat

Categories: AEI, chihuahua, Drug Labs, Methamphetamine, morelos