Those detained at the Izaguirre ranch will spend 141 years in prison: Jalisco

 CHAR 

JULY 8, 2025 

THIS INFORMATION WAS POSTED BY EL OCCIDENTAL 

They will also have to pay 1.3 million pesos to repair the damage.

Román Ortega

The 10 people arrested on September 18, 2024, at the Izaguirre ranch in Teuchitlán were each sentenced to 141 years and three months in prison after being found criminally responsible for the crimes of disappearance committed by private individuals, aggravated disappearance committed by private individuals, and aggravated homicide, against three victims.

The State Attorney General's Office reported that they are Lennin "N"—or Kevin "N"—David "N", Gustavo "N", Christopher "N", Juan "N", Óscar "N", Erick "N", Luis "N", Ricardo "N", and Armando "N", who, in addition to their prison sentences, must pay almost 1.3 million pesos in reparation for damages.

On September 18 of last year, National Guard officers responded to the Izaguirre ranch to respond to several reports of gunshots. Upon arrival, they were greeted with gunfire, so they repelled the attack.

After several minutes of gunfire, federal agents brought the situation under control and arrested 10 individuals at the scene. They also rescued two people alive and found a body wrapped in plastic bags.

The 10 individuals face at least six other criminal charges for the crime of disappearance committed by private individuals against different victims.

In March of this year, members of the Jalisco Searchers Warriors collective found thousands of items of clothing at the Izaguirre ranch, which, according to investigations by the Attorney General's Office, was used as a training camp for the Jalisco New Generation cartel.

SOURCE: EL OCCIDENTAL 

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Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes 'CJNG Cartel" Founder And Four High Ranking Members Charged With Terrorism. Treasury Sanctions Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion Leaders Under Counterterrorism Authorities

CHAR

INFORMATION POSTED BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 

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Press Releases

Treasury Sanctions Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion Leaders Under Counterterrorism Authorities

June 18, 2025

Takes action against cartel member suspected in high-profile murder of Mexican TikTok influencer

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned five Mexico-based leaders of Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG).  CJNG is a brutally violent cartel responsible for a significant share of fentanyl and other illicit drugs entering the United States.  It uses murder as a tactic to intimidate rivals, including sending messages to other cartels through the targeted killings of women.  The recent discovery of a CJNG recruitment camp, Izaguirre ranch—which was reportedly used to execute recruits that defy instructions—underscores the cartel’s brutal methods.  

With today’s action, OFAC is designating CJNG’s notorious leader Ruben Oseguera Cervantes (a.k.a “El Mencho”), along with three other senior cartel members.  OFAC is also sanctioning a CJNG commander, closely linked to El Mencho, who has been identified as the prime suspect in the recent murder of Mexican influencer Valeria Marquez during a live social media broadcast.  

“CJNG’s reign of terror across Mexico and its trafficking of fentanyl into the United States has destroyed countless innocent lives,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “The United States remains strongly committed to leveraging all available tools to degrade the capacity of CJNG and other cartels to flood our streets with dangerous drugs and perpetrate heinous acts of violence against civilians.”

Today’s action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059, which targets the proliferation of illicit drugs and their means of production, and pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, which targets terrorists and their supporters. 

CJNG’S REIGN OF TERROR 

CJNG operates clandestine laboratories in Mexico to produce fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illicit drugs trafficked into the United States.  CJNG also controls the deep-water port of Manzanillo in the Mexican State of Colima and runs fentanyl precursor procurement and other drug trafficking operations through the port. CJNG’s ruthless ambition to expand its operations has led the organization to deploy kidnappings, torture, bombings, and executions of civilians, Mexican politicians, and military and law enforcement officers.  

On April 8, 2015, OFAC designated CJNG pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) for playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking.  On December 15, 2021, OFAC also designated CJNG pursuant to E.O. 14059. On February 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of State designated CJNG as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). 

In addition to drug trafficking activities, CJNG is involved in a plethora of criminal activities, including fuel theft, timeshare fraud, migrant smuggling, and corruption.  In a May 1, 2025 Treasury action against CJNG, OFAC sanctioned a network generating hundreds of millions of dollars through fentanyl trafficking, fuel theft, and the smuggling of stolen Mexican crude oil into the United States.  The May 1 action was issued concurrently with a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Alert that provided typologies and red flags indicative of crude oil smuggling schemes on the U.S. southwest border associated with CJNG and other Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations.

CJNG LEADERS

Ruben Oseguera Cervantes (Oseguera) is the founder and current leader of CJNG.  Oseguera’s unique leadership style has allowed CJNG to function like a franchise business across several Mexican states, and to generate billions of dollars in profits from trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.  Oseguera and other senior CJNG members have engaged in extortion and made payments to corrupt officials to broaden their criminal activities.  Under Oseguera’s direction, CJNG operatives have assassinated rivals, Mexican law enforcement, judges, and other government officials.  The U.S. Department of State, through its Narcotics Rewards Program, is offering a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Oseguera. 

Ruben Oseguera Cervantes is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, CJNG.

Julio Alberto Castillo Rodriguez (Castillo) is a senior CJNG member and the son-in-law of Oseguera.  Castillo’s influence at the port of Manzanillo in Colima, Mexico has facilitated CJNG’s procurement of precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl and other illicit drugs trafficked into the United States.  Castillo is regarded as a potential successor to Oseguera. 

Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytan (Mendoza) is a high-ranking CJNG member.  Mendoza is known for prolific recruitment strategies employed by CJNG to increase its foot soldiers.  In March 2025, a CJNG recruitment camp in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, Mexico, known as Izaguirre ranch, was discovered to contain hundreds of items of clothing, shoes, bags, and skeletal remains.  The ranch was allegedly led by Mendoza, who directed lieutenants to train new CJNG recruits and kill those who defied instructions.  Mendoza has also been involved in the murder of numerous Mexican law enforcement officers. 

Audias Flores Silva (Flores) is a CJNG regional commander in charge of large portions of CJNG territory in Mexican states of Zacatecas, Guerrero, Nayarit, Jalisco, and Michoacan.  Flores controls clandestine laboratories in the central region of Jalisco and in southern Zacatecas that are used to produce methamphetamine and other illicit drugs trafficked into the United States.  Flores commands a significant number of CJNG operatives who have carried out violence against civilians, law enforcement officers, and rival cartels in Mexico.  The U.S. Department of State, through its Narcotics Rewards Program, is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Flores. 

Julio Alberto Castillo Rodriguez, Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytan, and Audias Flores Silva are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 and pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, CJNG.   

FEMICIDE EPIDEMIC: MURDER IN ZAPOPAN

Ricardo Ruiz Velasco (Ruiz) is a senior CJNG lieutenant close to El Mencho and is affiliated with a CJNG special forces unit.  He has also been responsible for CJNG’s public communications and propaganda.  Ruiz has been implicated in high-profile murders in Mexico for more than a decade, to include a deadly attack on Mexican police officers and the killings of a Jalisco State official and Venezuelan model.

Most recently, Ruiz was identified as a prime suspect in the femicide of his alleged romantic partner, Mexican social media influencer Valeria Marquez, who was killed while on a video livestream.  The vicious attack highlights the brutal prevalence of femicide, or the killing of women on account of their gender, in Mexico.  Femicide often goes unpunished and affects a significant portion of Mexico’s women.  

Ricardo Ruiz Velasco is being sanctioned pursuant to E.O. 14059 and pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, CJNG.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.  In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons. 

Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons.  OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis.  OFAC’s Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC’s enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. 

Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions involving the persons designated today may risk the imposition of secondary sanctions on participating foreign financial institutions.  OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a person who is designated pursuant to the relevant authority.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.  For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC’s guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List.

Click here for more information on the persons designated today.

 

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'El Duende,' the alleged 'CJNG Cartel' former boss of the Valles region In Jalisco, was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

 CHAR 

JUNE 3, 2025

INFORMATION POSTED BY EL OCCIDENTAL 

He was linked to the ambush of soldiers in Guachinango and the ambush of state police in San Sebastián del Oeste.

Yovany is currently serving his sentence at the Federal Social Rehabilitation Center No. 14 (CPS) in Durango. Attorney General's Office / Courtesy

Elizabeth Ibal

Yovany Castro Urbano, alias "El Duende," will spend 23 years in prison. He was sentenced for carrying a firearm and possessing ammunition for the exclusive use of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, organized crime for the purpose of committing crimes related to vehicle theft, and use of a stolen vehicle.

The Attorney General's Office (FGR), through the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO), announced the sentence Tuesday morning.

He was arrested in September 2015 in the community of San Antonio Matute, in Ameca, after a confrontation with members of the Mexican Army. At that time, he was transferred to a maximum-security prison.

After reviewing the proceedings and various rulings issued by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, the Second District Court for Criminal Matters in Jalisco, located in Puente Grande, sentenced him to 23 years in prison.

Yovany is currently serving his sentence at the Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 14 (CPS) in Durango.

He was linked to the ambushes against members of the Mexican Army in May 2014, as well as another ambush in which 15 state police officers were killed in San Sebastián del Oeste. For this reason, he was one of the priority targets of Operation Jalisco, which was implemented to capture Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho."

SOURCE: EL OCCIDENTAL 

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CJNG paid 70 thousand pesos to the mayor of Teuchitlán: Jalisco

 CHAR 

THIS INFORMATION WAS POSTED BY EL OCCIDENTAL 

MAY 5, 2025 

In exchange, he allegedly allowed the existence of the ranch where hitmen were trained.

Elizabeth Ibal

Statements and allegations that he allegedly received 70,000 pesos a month for allowing a training camp in his municipality are the basis of the accusation against the mayor of Teuchitlán, José Ascención Murguia Santiago, who was arrested last weekend by a special group from Mexico City. He was not informed of the operation by either the state government or the Jalisco-based delegation of the Attorney General's Office (FGR).

Therefore, they intend to charge him with organized crime, which would result in the mayor of the Citizens' Movement party being placed in mandatory preventive detention until the conclusion of the judicial investigation, as these are serious crimes.

In the same judicial investigation, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office presents evidence to prove the alleged relationship between the official and José Gregorio Armida, alias "El Lastra"—the author of the accusations—and Gonzalo Mendoza Gaitán, alias "El Sapo" and/or "El 90," the latter one of the main leaders of the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel.

The Izaguirre ranch was used as an alleged criminal training camp and was raided twice by authorities. First, National Guard personnel carried out an operation at the site in September 2024, arresting ten men with firearms and freeing two people.

His Capture

It was Saturday afternoon when the tranquility of the municipality was disrupted. Men in official uniforms aboard two white pickup trucks intercepted Mayor José Ascención Murguia Santiago just a few meters from his home.

They forced him into one of the vehicles, and the hooded men took him away. They took his house and car keys and threw them on the ground, according to municipal officials.

Afterward, his family and other municipal officials experienced tense moments. They didn't know who was behind the scenes, the Jalisco government didn't know what was happening, and the Attorney General's Office in Jalisco denied any involvement in the police operation.

The National Registry of Arrests confirmed his capture at approximately 9:42 p.m. (Central Time) and his transfer to the penitentiary. It was stated that he was wearing a maroon T-shirt, blue jeans, and black shoes. It was also reported that he has a lion tattoo on his right arm.

He is charged with serious crimes.

He spent part of the night at the facilities of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for the Investigation of Organized Crime (FEMDO) and was later sent to the Puente Grande Preventive Prison.

The arraignment hearing at the Federal Criminal Justice Center of the State of Jalisco, located in Puente Grande, was scheduled for 9:00 a.m., but José Ascención didn't appear until 44 minutes later.

It was announced there that the Special Prosecutor's Office for the Investigation of Enforced Disappearances of the Attorney General's Office (FGR) intends to charge him with organized crime. A public defender accompanied him during the first part of the hearing and, when given the floor, he claimed he didn't have a trusted attorney. He reappeared at 12:13 p.m., represented by a new private attorney, who in turn requested a recess to speak with his client.

The hearing resumed at 1:10 p.m., with a request that it be closed, forcing the media and the general public to leave, arguing that it was to protect the identity of victims and witnesses.

He is linked to CJNG leaders

The indictment includes testimony confirming meetings with members of the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel between April and June 2024, with figures such as José Gregorio "N," alias "El Lastra," who is imprisoned in the Altiplano prison, and Gonzalo Mendoza Gaitán, alias "El Sapo" and/or "El 90."

José Ascención has governed Teuchitlán for six years and was headed for another three. He served his first term as a member of the PRD from 2012 to 2015 and for the Movimiento Ciudadano party from 2021 to 2024. He was recently reelected by the same party for the 2024-2027 term.

According to the indictment, he met with "El Lastra" between September and October 2024, when his first term as a member of Movimiento Ciudadano was ending and his second term was beginning. In a gap between San Marcos and Etzatlán, to agree on a monthly income of 70,000 pesos in exchange for allowing the criminal organization to operate in the area. According to the person involved, they arrived at the meeting "connected" through calls made from the phones of the so-called "cacahuatitos," which they later destroyed to avoid leaving evidence.

Another testimony suggests that between 15 and 20 days before September 18, the date of the seizure of the Izaguirre ranch, the mayor and José Gregorio woke him up to dig a pit, using a backhoe to deposit organs and skeletal remains. Therefore, the Public Prosecutor's Office, who read the document, confirmed that José Ascención was fully aware of what was happening, as it was even claimed that he uttered the phrase, "These dogs won't live to tell the tale." José Ascención, present at the hearing, made a gesture of disbelief at the statements of the person testifying against him.

It is emphasized that among the agreements were that members of the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel would operate the ranch and be able to circulate around Teuchitlán armed and in stolen vehicles without being disturbed. In addition, they were also "providing human capital," that is, allowing municipal police officers to conduct surveillance of the Izaguirre ranch to prevent the recruits from escaping.

The same indictment mentions that the Izaguirre ranch was subjected to extreme physical violence against victims recruited through false job offers. Activities included training, human trafficking, and forced killing and eating of human flesh. Meanwhile, the La Vega ranch was also used for training and drug production.

The mayor was invited by the Control Judge to respond to the accusation, but he decided to abstain. His lawyers announced that they will present evidence in subsequent hearings, requesting an extension of the 144-hour constitutional deadline for the final hearing to be held. The deadline expires next Saturday at 6:21 p.m.

At the end of the hearing, the group of Public Prosecutors removed the investigation file, which was stored in four enormous plastic containers, which contained the entire bed of a recent Silverado pickup truck.

Jalisco Government and Municipality Request

The Jalisco Government and the Citizen Movement party, which was the most recent party to champion the case, made their position clear in separate statements regarding the arrest and arraignment of José Ascensión Murguía before a federal judge.

For its part, the State Executive expressed its confidence that the Attorney General's Office (FGR) will conduct the investigations impartially and without political bias.

For its part, the State Government will be attentive to the development of the judicial process and will collaborate in all necessary ways so that, regardless of the case, the truth is discovered and justice is served.

Meanwhile, the Citizen Movement party spoke out and demanded an investigation free of partisan bias.

“Federal authorities are obligated to verify their accusations and clear up all doubts in this and all cases. We trust that the mayor of Teuchitlán will demonstrate that he always acted within the law. The citizens elected him as their representative and then reaffirmed their trust in him to govern for a second term: this support speaks to the results of his administration,” the document states.

It concludes by stating that “In Citizen Movement, we demand that the authorities conduct a fair, comprehensive investigation free of political bias or partisan motivations. We firmly defend the presumption of innocence and the right of all people to a fair trial. Without truth, there will never be justice.”

Teuchitlan

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At least seven "Narco Schools" have been seized in the Valles region of Jalisco.

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

This information was posted by EL OCCIDENTAL 

From 2017 to date, 33 people have been detained in camps and ranches.

MARCH 13, 2025

Elizabeth Ibal

Organized crime has taken root in the Valles region, where operations to capture regional leaders of organized crime have rarely been carried out, while illicit activity by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel continues unabated. At least 10 camps, ranches, and lands have been seized where this group has been detected operating.

This area includes the municipalities of Ahualulco de Mercado, Amatitán, Ameca, Cocula, El Arenal, Etzatlán, Hostotipaquillo, Magdalena, San Juanito de Escobedo, San Marcos, San Martín de Hidalgo, Tala, Tequila, and Teuchitlán. Currently, the latter municipality is the one at the center of the storm.

The Izaguirre ranch is not the first to be seized in Teuchitlán. Three have been seized there since 2015.

The first of these was the Los Amiales ranch, a 50-hectare property that had been confiscated by criminals in 2013, but which was recovered by the State Attorney General's Office in December 2015 during the administration of Prosecutor Eduardo Almaguer Ramírez.

At the time, the head of the agency stated that evidence of murders had been found inside, including walls with gunshot wounds and evidence that at least nine people had been murdered at the site.

At that time, the site was discovered after the disappearance of two young men from Ahualulco de Mercado. During a search overflight, the two were spotted by the agency's helicopter. The bodies of the young men were seen from above. Later, then-Prosecutor Eduardo Almaguer announced that a request for forfeiture of assets would be filed.

For its part, the non-governmental organization Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity (MCCI) released a report in which National Guard members reported the location of a farm with several charred bodies in August 2019. The report indicates that it was on a farm in La Estanzuela.

Meanwhile, in 2020, National Guard members also seized another ranch in Ahualulco de Mercado, which had been confiscated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel from a PRI politician. At the time of the seizure, they found bags of drugs.

Meanwhile, on September 18, National Guard members located the Izaguirre ranch, located 57.9 kilometers from the Metropolitan Zone.

That day, 10 people were arrested, two others were released, and a body was found wrapped in wicker. In this case, a Tala police officer is facing charges of missing persons.

In a subsequent raid on that property, on March 5 of this year, by the Guerreros Buscadores de Jalisco collective, hundreds of skeletal remains were found in six plots and four graves, in addition to more than 400 pieces of clothing and footwear.

Meanwhile, on January 30 of this year, the National Guard and the Mexican Army seized another ranch used by criminals operating in the region, which was also used as a training center. Thirty-six young people were rescued there, having been recruited through deception and false job offers. In addition, two individuals were arrested and charged with missing persons.

Recently, another ranch belonging to the United Hearts in Search of Our Treasures collective was discovered, abandoned on a dirt road in Santa Cruz del Astillero, in El Arenal.

Camps in mountainous areas

On April 10, 2017, the Regional Single Force located another clandestine camp used by alleged members of organized crime in the area known as Sierra Alta, in the mountainous area of ​​the Navajas district, in the municipality of Tala. Charred remains, weapons, tactical gear, vehicles, and communication equipment were found there, and a man nicknamed "El Baby" was arrested. It was a makeshift camp made of tarps and branches.

In July of that same year, the State Prosecutor's Office seized five other makeshift training camps known as "schools for hitmen." Nineteen people were arrested there for missing persons.

Alleged Regional Leaders Arrested

Few operations have been carried out in the Valles region by federal authorities. On September 22, 2015, Giovanni C., alias "El Duende," a suspected cartel leader, was arrested in San Antonio Matute, Ameca. Since then, no operations have resulted in the arrest of any of the area's criminal leaders.

José Ángel "M," alias "El F25," was arrested in Tequila in 2022 during a federal force operation.

Numbers

33 detained in camps

7 drug-related school ranches

10 land and property properties seized, operated by criminals

SOURCE: EL OCCIDENTAL 

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