Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News 

Mexican cops have arrested 11 members of a former neighbourhood watch group suspected of going rogue and forming a murderous drug-dealing gang near the tourist hotspot of Acapulco.

According to local media, 11 suspected members of the gang ‘Los Dumbos’ were arrested in the town of Xaltianguis, just 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Acapulco in the south-western Mexican state of Guerrero.

The large-scale operation was reportedly carried out by The National Guard, the state’s Attorney General’s Office, the Mexican Army and Navy, and State and Federal Police.

The units were accompanied by over 60 armoured vehicles and a helicopter, according to local media.

The ‘Los Dumbos’ gang, who also referred to themselves as the ‘Community Police’, is suspected of carrying out murder, drug trafficking and extortion, according to reports.

Spokesman for the state attorney general’s office Jorge Zuriel de Los Santos Barrila told reporters that they searched several homes during the swoop and seized 37 guns, a drone, mobile phones and bomb-making materials.

He added: “We are going to set up several operations bases with up to 100 agents from different forces to guarantee the town’s safety.”

State governor Hector Astudillo Flores told local media: “We are going to take responsibility for public safety in the part of Acapulco where the violence has taken place. State intervention is necessary and urgent.”

According to reports, the gang has already responded by burning several vehicles and sending threats on messaging apps to local media.

The investigation continues.

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