Municipal police in Tijuana arrested a 37-year-old man carrying a loaded 9mm pistol near a primary school and an Oxxo convenience store in the El Rubí neighborhood on Monday evening.
The arrest took place around 8 p.m. on March 30 at the intersection of Miraflores and Santiago Álvarez avenues. Officers conducting a routine patrol operation spotted the man and determined he was carrying a 9mm handgun with ammunition. He was identified only as a local Tijuana resident.
Suspect Turned Over to Federal Prosecutors
After the detention, officers transferred the man to federal prosecutors for processing on weapons charges. Under Mexican federal law, civilians are prohibited from carrying firearms of calibers reserved for military and law enforcement use without specific permits. A 9mm pistol falls under strict federal regulation.
El Rubí is a residential neighborhood in eastern Tijuana, located south of the Tijuana River channel and east of the La Presa area. The presence of both a primary school and an Oxxo store at the location where the arrest occurred means the area sees regular foot traffic from families and children, particularly during evening hours.
Weapons Enforcement in Tijuana
The arrest comes as Tijuana continues to deal with elevated security concerns. The city experienced a wave of cartel violence in February 2026, when vehicles and stores were set ablaze across several neighborhoods. That unrest prompted increased police patrols in residential zones throughout the municipality.
Illegal firearms possession remains a persistent issue in Tijuana. Mexican law requires federal permits for gun ownership, and carrying a weapon in public without authorization is a federal offense that can result in years of prison time. Weapons seized near schools can carry enhanced penalties under federal sentencing guidelines.
Tijuana’s municipal police force has expanded routine patrol operations in recent months, focusing on areas near schools, parks, and commercial corridors. The El Rubí detention is one of several weapons-related arrests reported in Tijuana neighborhoods during March.
The original report was published by Punto Norte.