Narco Blockades and Shooting in Reynosa, Tamaulipas

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On Monday, State Police were shot at by armed individuals of a criminal group inside a white SUV near the southern outskirts of Reynosa, Tamaulipas. A car chase ensued. Unknown individuals at more than seven different points created narco blockades to prevent police from catching the white SUV.

At roughly 7:30 am on May 31 2021, the emergency services line received multiple reports of gunshots from residents in the  neighborhoods of Riveras del Carmen, Praderas de Elite, and Las Palmas in the city of Reynosa. 

Right after these calls came in, State Police officers called up on radio that they had been shot at by armed men within an SUV located on the road between Vamos Tamaulipas and El Campanario. The officer were reportedly on a patrol, conducting surveillance in Las Palmas when they were shot. The SUV was described as a white Chevrolet Tahoe or Silverado type vehicle. La Jornada describes the men inside the vehicle as part of a "criminal cell".

State Police relayed the location of where the shots had taken place. Police patrol vehicles began pursuing the SUV and a chase ensued. Additional State Police vehicles were able to link up with the already pursuing police vehicles and provide support. 

Unknown individuals began erecting road blockades in order to deter the police and prevent their passage. Large vehicles travelling on the highway 97 were forcibly commandeered by the unknown individuals. The large vehicles were driven into the highway 97 near the Reynosa Viaduct area and parked crossing lanes, blocking traffic. 

Emergency services line then received multiple calls reporting that ponchollatas, or tire puncture devices similar to caltrops, were spotted at five different points along the highway.

In addition to the highway, road blockades were also being created on the main access roads to the Riveras de Carmen, Vamos Tamaulipas, Los Almendros and Ejido La Retama neighborhoods.

Reports say that on these main access roads “public transportation units” (likely buses, as seen in photos) were being used to block lanes. The vehicle used to create a blockade at the main access road to Las Palmas was set on fire. In addition, vehicle tires and garbage was seen being pushed out onto the road by unknown individuals. 

Transit Police, State Police and the Mexican Army (SEDENA) were called in to remove the objects on the road and highways of Reynosa. Security forces and law enforcement have reported no deaths, injuries or arrests in connection with this event as of the writing of this story.  

Later, while securing and surveilling the area where the original shooting occurred, State Police discovered a white Chevrolet Silverado SUV abandoned next to the Rodhe canal in the Riveras del Carmen neighborhood. The abandoned vehicle was marked with bullet holes. Inside the SUV, officers found ammunition and spent cartridges. The vehicle was found to have a theft report so it was seized by police. 

Sources: El Universal, Reforma, Jornada, Noticieros Televisa, La Tarde, Valor Por Tamaulipas, NotInfoMex, Primera Vuelta Noticias

Photo Credits: Valor por Tamaulipas, Reynosa Código Rojo, El Guzman