Mexico shootout: 19 gang members dead in Sinaloa, local cartel leader arrested

NEW DELHI: A

shootout

near the capital of Sinaloa state in

Mexico

resulted in the death of 19 suspected

gang members

, as well as the arrest of a local cartel leader, according to a statement from Mexico's defense ministry.
The incident occurred on Monday about 7 miles from

Culiacan

, the capital of Sinaloa. More than 30 gunmen opened fire on soldiers, who then returned fire, the statement said.

Some cartel members reportedly fled the scene.
The arrested individual has been identified as Edwin Antonio "N," a local leader within the

Sinaloa Cartel

. The ministry did not disclose his last name, which is standard practice in Mexico for those accused of crimes.
Authorities seized seven vehicles, nearly 30 firearms including machine guns, as well as ammunition and military-style gear such as vests and helmets.
This violence follows the late July arrest of cartel co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. Zambada, who is believed to be in his 70s, claimed that a senior member of the Los Chapitos, another faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, kidnapped him and transported him to the United States. He was taken into custody near El Paso, Texas.