RT.com, 6 Jan, 2023- The arrest of a notorious cartel boss has sparked mayhem in the western Mexican state of Sinaloa. Heavily armed criminal gangs have engaged the military in firefights as burning cars littered the streets of Culiacan. Civil unrest, looting, and even a prison riot have also erupted in the city, which reportedly resembles a warzone.

The capture of Ovidio ‘El Raton’ Guzman-Lopez in a military raid on Thursday morning triggered clashes with the security forces, plunging the city of Culiacan – home to the Sinaloa drug cartel – into chaos. The cartel is considered by the US to be the largest and most powerful drug trafficking organization in the world.

The governor of Sinaloa state, Ruben Rocha Moya, has reported at least six deaths in the fighting so far, as well as 29 people wounded, including eight civilians and 21 police officers. He has urged citizens to shelter in place.