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<\/p>\nThe world's most dangerous cartel now has a specialised unit of hitmen operating as an Air Force as they take the drug war to the skies.<\/p>\n
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is led by Mexico's most wanted drug lord – Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes.<\/p>\n
According to The Daily Beast, Mexican authorities reckon the CJNG first started weaponizing commercial drones four years ago. <\/p>\n
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Explosive devices are attached to the drones to turn them into flying bombs. Reports also suggest the cartel use drones for other things such as surveillance and reconnaissance.<\/p>\n
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It appears the CJNG have now formed a dedicated unit specialising in aerial drone warfare. Describing this, C\/O Futures said the group has now "institutionalised" drone usage. <\/p>\n
In April this year an image emerged showing a patch the specialists in the "Operadores Droneros" (Drone Operators) unit wear on their military-style uniforms. On it there is a drone with four propellers and a skull in the middle, along with the CJNG's four letters. <\/p>\n
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It is thought the patch may have been spotted in videos from as early as November 2021, although the footage was too grainy to know for sure until now. <\/p>\n
Images have also emerged appearing to show anti-drone weapons, used by Mexico's drug trafficking organisations to combat this new threat from the sky. <\/p>\n
A member of the CJNG's specialised unit told The Daily Beast they use the drones to locate and attack rival gangs including Los Viagras, the Knights Templar and the Sinaloa Cartel. <\/p>\n
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The cartel operative said: "It depends on which drone we use, but we can be miles away and confirm that they are at a certain house or vehicle and then crash the drone with the explosives."<\/p>\n
The Operadores Droneros unit works in the Mexican states of Michoac\u00e1n and Jalisco, the operative added. <\/p>\n
Earlier this month images emerged showing a car destroyed in Apatzing\u00e1n, Michoac\u00e1n, following an explosive attack launched using drones. <\/p>\n
Back in November 2022 four people were killed in Tepalcatepec, Michoac\u00e1n, when the CJNG used explosive drones to attack a convoy of Mexican military vehicles. <\/p>\n
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According to BorderlandBeat the Mexican army seized 23 weaponised drones between 2021 and August this year, mostly from Michoac\u00e1n, Jalisco and Guerrero. The CJNG has a significant presence in all three states. <\/p>\n
Earlier this month Mexican President Andr\u00e9s Manuel L\u00f3pez Obrador proposed an initiative that would increase punishments for anyone caught using a weaponised drone.<\/p>\n
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