Mexican Federal Security Forces have apprehended Lino Adame Sotelo, a key figure known by aliases 'El Patrón' or 'El Señor', who is believed to be a leader of the Los Linos crime syndicate. The suspect is accused of involvement in extortion, homicide, and narcotics trafficking in the state of Morelos. Authorities successfully tracked and arrested Adame Sotelo in Ixtapaluca, Mexico, following a coordinated effort by agents from various law enforcement agencies utilizing intelligence and investigative techniques.
Mexico's Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, announced on Tuesday the apprehension of a key individual linked to violent activities in the state of Morelos. Authorities have identified the detainee as a primary instigator of violence in the region. Official investigations have revealed the group's alleged involvement in various illicit activities, including drug trafficking, vehicle theft, extortion, and murder, as well as the transportation of cocaine from Central America to the United States.
Authorities conducted an operation resulting in the confiscation of illicit substances, cartridges, a vehicle, and a firearm. The involved institutions have declined to provide specific details regarding the quantities or types of substances seized.
A multi-agency operation was carried out through a collaborative effort between the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, the Prosecutor General of the Republic, the Secretariat of Navy, the Secretariat of National Defense, and the National Guard, with intelligence support from the National Intelligence Center.
Mexican authorities have launched a joint operation as part of the National Strategy against Extortion and a broader effort to enhance security in the state of Morelos. The initiative was directed by President Claudia Sheinbaum. Personnel from the Mexican Social Security Public Administration (SSPC) and the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Attorney General's Office (FGR) collaborated on the operation, utilizing intelligence from the National Center.
The arrest of a high-ranking figure known as 'El Patrón' marks a significant setback for the Los Linos organization, following a previous operation on May 6, 2026, in which federal forces apprehended eight alleged members of the group in Yautepec, Morelos.
Nine alleged members of the group were apprehended during the intervention, including Rodolfo and Carlos Adame Sotelo, who are brothers of a previously captured individual.
Two SSPC officers sustained injuries during the deployment, with one requiring emergency surgery. The operations are a collaborative effort with the Morelos government to combat extortion, murder, and vehicle theft, as well as dismantle organizations responsible for generating violence.
Los Linos continue to maintain a presence in several municipalities, including Cuautla, Emiliano Zapata, Tlaltizapán, Yautepec, Jiutepec, and Cuernavaca, where law enforcement efforts are focused on disrupting their illicit operations.
Lino Adame Sotelo was subsequently made available to the Public Ministry following his arrest, along with the seized items, to facilitate integration into ongoing investigations and determine his legal status. This arrest took place amidst ongoing operations by the Mexican government targeting various criminal groups operating across the country, which are known to engage in drug trafficking activities destined for the U.S. market.
