MEXICO CITY, May 18 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 alleged criminals were killed and nine detained in an operation by Mexican federal forces against a criminal cell in the town of Huitzontla in the western state of Michoacan, the country's security ministry said on Saturday.

The detainees are allegedly linked to various high-impact crimes, including homicide, extortion and illegal deprivation of liberty, said Omar Garcia Harfuch, Mexico's secretary for security and citizen protection.

"After repelling the strong assault, 12 aggressors lost their lives and three Navy colleagues were injured," he said on the social media platform X.

Michoacan is one of the regions most affected by violence linked to organized crime in Mexico, where security forces carry out constant actions to dismantle criminal groups. ■