MEXICO CITY (AP) — Authorities in central Mexico have arrested an American and 37 other people belonging to the religious group La Luz del Mundo, whose leader is facing sex trafficking charges before a New York court.

Michoacan state officials said 38 people were conducting tactical training with mostly replica weapons, but did not release identities of the suspects or the charges against them. The group had one handgun, 19 replica firearms, knives and tactical equipment, officials said.

La Luz del Mundo, which was born in Mexico’s central Jalisco state, has congregations across the United States and has come under the scrutiny of law enforcement for years.

A Michoacan official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the case, confirmed that

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