In a first for Baja California, the federal prosecutor’s office (FGR) in Tijuana hosted the state’s top security meeting—yes, that meeting, the one with the governor and all the big brass in uniform.
It was the kind of gathering where suits, medals, and serious numbers meet. But this time, the mood was more “look what we’ve done” than “look what’s wrong.”
And honestly? The numbers speak for themselves.
Between January 1 and July 26 of this year, law enforcement agencies across Baja California carried out 1,530 court-approved searches, also known as cateos. That’s a 31% jump compared to the same timeframe in 2024. Not bad for a state that’s often in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
According to the Baja FGR, the spike in activity is thanks to stronger coordination between state and federal authorities. Less finger-pointing, more teamwork. And some of that work is paying off big.
A Bust in Mexicali That Hits Hard
One of the standout victories came from Mexicali, where officers working at the Cinta de Verificación Aduanal (basically the customs conveyor belt) seized 144 kilos of methamphetamine. That’s not a typo. One hundred and forty-four kilos. That’s more than most folks weigh after a full taco tour.
There was no dramatic chase or gunfight. Just sharp-eyed customs officers doing their job. Sometimes the quiet wins are the most impressive.
Ensenada’s Cocaine Boat and a Not-So-Quiet Night
Then there’s Ensenada, where things got loud fast.
On July 28, reports of gunshots echoed near the iconic Mercado Negro. That’s not the kind of seafood special anyone wants. What followed was a coordinated response that led to the arrest of two suspects found transporting 307 kilos of cocaine aboard a small boat.
The federal report kept it simple, but local outlets like Hiptex confirmed that during the incident, a man was shot and killed, and another two people were injured. The drugs? Packed in colorful bricks, some even stamped with lucky sevens. Not subtle.
So while the market stayed open for business, the real action was happening just offshore—and it wasn’t about fresh tuna.
Aerial Sweeps Uproot More Than Weeds
Between June 11 and July 30, joint military and law enforcement flights covered a lot of ground. Literally. Their efforts led to the detection and destruction of 52 illegal drug plantations, covering a whopping 93,192 square meters.
To put that in perspective: that’s about 13 soccer fields’ worth of banned botanical ambition. No word yet on what was growing—probably not tomatoes—but let’s just say, Baja’s not exactly famous for its oregano exports.
Who Was in the Room?
This wasn’t your average PowerPoint-and-donuts meeting.
Present were the governor of Baja California, the state’s security secretary, the commander of the Second Naval Region, the commander of the Second Military Zone, and the state coordinator for the National Guard, along with representatives from every major law enforcement agency in Baja.
Everyone came armed with numbers—and not the scary kind. The kind that shows progress.
Security Wins Meet Trade Deadlines
Still, even as security ops ramp up, the U.S.–Mexico trade dynamic remains closely linked. On July 31, after a 45-minute phone call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90‑day extension before new tariffs would take effect, delaying the planned 30% import duty set to begin August 1. During that time, existing charges—including a 25% fentanyl tariff, a 25% fee on cars, and 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper—would remain in place . As noted in our previous note, even strong security gains may not sway broader trade policy decisions.
