Two U.S. Embassy staff members, the director of the Chihuahua State Investigations Agency and a state police officer died in a mountain traffic accident following an operation to destroy clandestine drug labs, Mexico and U.S. authorities said.
The “instructors” with the U.S. Embassy were returning after taking part in U.S.-Mexico training in anti-narcotics operations with state police when the accident occurred Sunday morning, April 19, near the town of Morelos in southwestern Chihuahua, the state attorney general’s office said in a statement.
Chihuahua State Investigations Agency Director Pedro Román Oseguera Cervantes and officer Manuel Genaro Méndez Montes also died in the crash, Chihuahua state officials said.
The identities of the U.S. government personnel were not disclosed.
A ‘solemn reminder of the risks’ faced by Mexican, U.S. officers
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson offered condolences in a statement on X following the deaths of the U.S. and Mexican officials.
“We honor their dedication and tireless efforts to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time,” Johnson stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones.
“This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by those Mexican and U.S. officials who are dedicated to protecting our communities,” Johnson said. “It strengthens our resolve to continue their mission and advance our shared commitment to security and justice, to protect our people.”
Meth labs raided in the mountains of Chihuahua
The deadly accident occurred a day after Chihuahua state police announced that a pair of large clandestine methamphetamine labs were raided by state investigators along with the Mexican military in the mountain forests between Guachochi and Morelos.
The “narcolab” was divided into five sections, featuring more than a dozen ovens, scores of gas cylinders and campgrounds for crews, the state attorney general’s office said.
The rural mountains are in the southwestern corner of the state of Chihuahua near the border with Sinaloa.
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: US Embassy staff, Mexican police die in accident after drug lab raids
Reporting by Daniel Borunda, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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