I think it is a well established fact that the official reports of violence, from everywhere in Mexico are incomplete and inaccurate.
Talk to the ordinary local people and you will find that seldom are police reports made and seldom is their presence requested. US folk will insist on calling the police, locals only when necessary. Lots and lots of stuff happens and is unreported. Lots of stuff is misreported. A bullet ridden body laying int he street does not necessarily mean murder, could have been suicide !! Most believe the officials will do nothing so why waste time. Also the police can get predatory toward the victims, another reason to not report.
Check out the recent episode where a man was abducted for ransom by two of Penasco's finest after he phoned for help. I had an occasion where I was being threatened with violence by an irate intoxicated gent across the counter. I phoned the magic number 066, got no answer after 20 or so rings. Called back, same deal. Called a third time and the person answering spoke not a word of english and hung up in frustration after my inadequate Spanish was not understood.
Reliable reports of summary justice dispensed by law enforcement abound in Mexico. If they believe it is cartel against cartel they feel it appropriate and OK to just ignore it and it goes unreported or to solve the case with a gun. Dead people tell no tales ya know. A murder is a murder irrespective of who the parties involved are.
Then there is the post crime justice system to deal with. Years back as a believer in justice I went to the station house to file a simple burgulary report. Long lines and unresponsive staff. It's annoying to say the least to wait for hours in line all the while hearing laughter from a nearby office and seeing people come and go, carefully ignoring the line of people waiting for service. After 4 visits over several days I gave up. Come back after 6, come back in the morning, tomorrow, etc. and my then live-in's Tia worked there. It's no joke.
Last year, right at the spot where donations are solicited on the edge of town, I was stopped waiting my turn when vehicles pulled up along the side of the highway, 4 gents in civvie clothes with automatic weapons got out and deployed on both sides of the road, crouching down and peering down the highway where a line of vehicles aproached from the south at a high rate of speed. No warnings offered to those of us on the highway. The line of approaching vehicles turned and sped west down a dirt road. The armed guys jumped into their trucks and followed the other vehicles. No shots were fired but I was looking around for the film crew !!That is the kind of thing that does not tend to get reported by the Government but maybe through social media. "
Sonoyta is an important plaza mostly because of the area to the east. The T.O. Res. in AZ is a transhipping point with support from the locals. I think the crossing at Lukeville is given some throw-aways just to distract from the real action. That highway corridor up to Why draws a crap load of staff and vehicles. Easier duty than on an atv in the outback too.
Social media has been a game changer for many. People learn who is accurate and honest in reporting through experience over a time period.