High Profile Business Leader and Alleged CJNG Operator Arrested in Guadalajara, Jalisco

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Nazario Ramírez Ramírez, a high-profile businessman and transportation sector representative was arrested in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and accused of operating extortion and drug trafficking for the CJNG. 

Ramírez Ramírez is a well known business figure in Jalisco. He is the director of the Frente del Transporte de Carga de Jalisco, a trucking transport union, a position which allowed him access to high level political and business elites. He frequented political events, and photos show him posing with numerous high level political and security figures, including the Jalisco Governor Juan Pablo Lemus, and Jalisco Security Secretary, Juan Pablo Hernández. It is unknown at this point how deep these relationships go. 

Nazario Ramírez Ramírez with Jalisco Security Secretary Juan Pablo Hernández

Ramírez Ramírez and two others, Juan Martín Espinosa and Jorge Octavio Quezada were arrested after security forces conducted four raids last week in Guadalajara, Jalisco. authorities found an up armored vehicle (blindado), four vehicles, and a kilo of meth along with 170 doses ready for sale.

Authorities claim he was responsible for extortion and drug sales in Tlajomulco, Jalisco and Oriental, Puebla. It is likely his role in the trucking transport union also gave him the ability to traffic drugs. 

Nazario Ramírez Ramírez with Jalisco Governor Juan Pablo Lemus

Journalist Raymundo Riva Palacio claimed today that Jalisco Governor Juan Pablo Lemus is being investigated by the United States for receiving CJNG money through Nazario Ramírez during his time as Mayor of Guadalajara. There is so far no mention of this alleged investigation from the United States.

Sources: Guardia Nocturna, El Universal, @Gustavuss Twitter, Mural, Informador