TIJUANA.- The Mexican army working in this region had a very busy week.

The commander of Baja California's Second Military Zone, Gilberto Landeros, announced Monday the seizure of 788 pounds of cocaine, with a street value of more than $11 million. The next day he announced the seizure of nearly $1 million in cash at Mexican customs in the Otay border crossing.

On Saturday, Landeros was back at the Morelos barracks announcing another major confiscation.

He said army soldiers had confiscated a total of 5,152 pounds of marijuana that came from Sinaloa as well as "a kitchen" to make synthetic drugs in several operations.

The army detained a total of 19 people, and seized seven vehicles, including a tractor-trailer, he said.

Landeros attributed these operations to the systematic work that the army has done in the region, anonymous tips from residents and the on-going harvest season, when marijuana is transported to safe houses, which leads to many police operations.

The commander said that despite the arrests of alleged criminal leaders that controlled certain areas of the city, such as Teodoro García Simental, criminal cells survive and are led by old allies of the detained drug lords.

"The fight to control this region continues," he said. "And that's because it's such a desirable region, with its two million residents. It offers so many opportunities for the consumption, distribution and transportation of drug to the United States."

Omar.millan@sandiegored.com