Mexico’s Secretary of Defense, Gen. Ricardo Trevilla, confirmed that U.S. intelligence-gathering drone flights have contributed to the arrest of at least two cartel leaders in Culiacán, the stronghold of the Sinaloa cartel.

“The aircraft help confirm information gathered by Mexican armed forces,” Trevilla stated, emphasizing that American personnel were not directly involved in the apprehensions.

While Trevilla did not disclose the names of those arrested, Mexico’s head of public safety and security, Omar García Harfuch, recently announced the capture of “Wero Bryan,” the presumed leader of the Chapitos faction, and Kevin Alonso, believed to be the chief of security for Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, known as “El Chapito.”

The Chapitos, led by the sons of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán, continue to be a major force within the cartel despite recent crackdowns. The arrests mark another significant blow to their operations, further intensifying efforts to dismantle organized crime in the region.