Los Metros Faction of the Cártel del Golfo (CDG) Arsenal of Explosives, IEDs, Kamikaze and Other Drones, and Counter-Drone Systems Seized in Reynosa, Tamaulipas

C/O Futures Cartel Research Note Series

Robert J. Bunker

31 December 2025

26 Pages

On Monday 20 October 2025 (or within a day or so prior to it), the Guardia Estatal (Tamaulipas State Police) and the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (DEFENSA; Mexican Army) raided a safe house presumably belonging to the Los Metros faction of the Cártel del Golfo (CDG) in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, just below the U.S. border near McAllen, Texas. A cartel member was arrested along with the ensuing seizure of a large arsenal of explosives, drones, counter-drone systems, and related weaponry and hardware. The little noticed incident is both a U.S. and Mexican national security concern. The sheer number of drones seized (eighteen in total) the fact a heavy lift and kamikaze (racing) models are evident, the large amount of commercial explosives present (151 plastic sleeves), and the differing types of C-UAS identified highlights the increasing proliferation of cartel weaponized drones to the Tamaulipas region of Mexico.

CO Futures Reynosa Los Metros Safe House Arsenal.pdf

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