Mexico City, Apr 21 (EFE).- Six suspected criminals were killed and more than 40 others arrested in a law enforcement operation carried out over the past 15 days in Mexico state, which surrounds the Federal District and forms part of the Mexico City metropolitan area, the Navy Secretariat said Monday.
Ten bases were established on April 7 in the northern and eastern parts of Mexico state to deal with the wave of violence that hit the region in recent weeks, the secretariat said.
The bases were set up with the Citizens Safety Secretariat "as a result of an analysis of the areas that have the highest incidence of crime," the secretariat said.
Security forces members have detained 42 people, "some of whom have outstanding warrants for murder," and seized eight vehicles, drugs and firearms, the secretariat said.
Three suspected people traffickers were arrested and five migrants rescued in the city of Tultitlan, thanks to tips from the public, the secretariat said.
A spike in kidnappings, robberies and revenge killings involving gangs was reported in Mexico state in the first few months of 2014, prompting state officials to request federal assistance to boost law enforcement.