Authorities in Mexico have confirmed the location of a clandestine grave (fosa clandestina) in a rural area between the communities of El Verde and Zavala, in the municipality of Concordia, Sinaloa. The Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR), in coordination with the National Guard, Mexican Navy, Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, and Ministry of National Defense, continues intensive investigative and forensic efforts at the site following an anonymous tip reported to officials. The discovery emerged during ongoing operations launched after the January 23, 2026, abduction of 10 mine workers from a Vizsla mining company facility in the same region. These workers, engineers and support staff, remain missing, prompting a large-scale search involving federal forces, including searches of clandestine camps and related sites. Key developments as of February 7, 2026:
- FGR Statement: Forensic analysis has identified that one of the bodies recovered from the grave bears physical characteristics matching one of the missing miners. Identification efforts, including DNA testing and other expert procedures, are underway to confirm the match.
- Site Operations: Peritos (forensic experts) from the FGR and State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) have conducted excavations under heavy security, with the area cordoned off by the Army and National Guard. Diligences have extended over multiple days (starting late Thursday, February 5, into Friday and beyond), with reports of additional bodies or remains located, though official details remain limited due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
- Related Actions: In parallel operations in nearby areas (Los Naranjos and El Verde), authorities dismantled 10 clandestine camps linked to organized crime, seizing ballistic equipment, over 1,600 cartridges, 46 magazines, four vests, a helmet, and a neutralized explosive device.
- Broader Context: The find occurs amid heightened violence in Sinaloa tied to internal cartel conflicts (particularly the Sinaloa Cartel factions). Search collectives, including groups of mothers seeking disappeared loved ones, have arrived at the site requesting participation in the process to potentially identify remains through clothing or other indicators.
The FGR has opened investigations into homicide and related crimes, with four individuals reportedly detained in connection to the miners’ case. The area remains under strict security, with media access restricted during active forensic work. This grim discovery underscores the persistent crisis of disappearances and clandestine burials in Mexico, particularly in conflict zones like Sinaloa, where thousands remain missing amid cartel violence. Authorities urge any additional information to be reported anonymously to aid the search and identification efforts.