Sinaloa remains under a heavy federal security deployment as military activity continues amid the political crisis surrounding Gov. Rubén Rocha Moya.
By Diego Gastélum
MAZATLÁN, Mexico — A Mexican Navy helicopter was tracked through Mazatlán on Saturday, Aug. 22, as Sinaloa Gov. Rubén Rocha Moya requested a second leave of absence just one day after returning to office.
Public flight-tracking records reviewed by Los Angeles Press show that ANX2209, an identifier linked to a Mexican Navy Mi-17 helicopter, arrived at Mazatlán International Airport that afternoon.
Flightradar24 records show ANX2209 flying from Guadalajara to Mazatlán on a flight lasting two hours and eight minutes. The aircraft landed at 3:13 p.m. and was listed for another departure from Mazatlán at 4:15 p.m., with no destination shown in the public record.
The aircraft had also been tracked elsewhere in Mexico in the days before. Flightradar24 shows it in Morelia on Aug. 22, following earlier flights through Lázaro Cárdenas and Veracruz.
ANX2209 has been identified as the AMHT-209 Mi-17 operated by the Mexican Navy, a helicopter used for transport and naval operations.
Credit: Flightradar24 screenshot.
Neither the Mexican Navy nor the Defense Ministry had announced an extraordinary operation in Mazatlán linked to Saturday’s aircraft activity as of publication.
Sinaloa Remains Under Heavy Federal Security Deployment
Federal forces have maintained a large military presence in Sinaloa amid the continuing conflict between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.
More than 10,500 military personnel were deployed to the state during 2025. Another 1,600 Army troops, including 90 Special Forces personnel, were sent to Culiacán and Mazatlán in early 2026.
Federal security operations have continued through August.
On Aug. 18, the Navy reported finding more than 300 improvised explosive devices and about 300 kilograms of explosives in El Rosario, in southern Sinaloa.
Army, Navy, National Guard and federal security personnel have also carried out arrests and seizures in Mazatlán, Concordia, Escuinapa and Culiacán during the month.
Helicopter Activity Coincides With Rocha’s Second Leave Request
The Navy helicopter’s movement through Mazatlán came during the same hours in which Rocha Moya again moved to step away from office.
Rocha returned to the governorship on Friday, Aug. 21, after spending 112 days on leave. The following day, he submitted another request to the Sinaloa Congress for a leave of more than 30 days.
The governor remains under indictment in the United States on allegations involving drug trafficking and ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Rocha has denied the accusations.
His brief return to office drew a response from President Claudia Sheinbaum, who said no personal interest should be placed above the nation. Hours later, Rocha announced that he would seek another leave.
The same day, former acting Drug Enforcement Administration chief Derek Maltz publicly called on Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch to arrest Rocha and send him to the United States to face charges.
There is no official evidence linking the ANX2209 flight or other military activity in Mazatlán to Rocha’s legal or political situation.
The flight records do show that a Mexican Navy aircraft was operating in Mazatlán as uncertainty deepened over Rocha’s political future.