Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com

Irregularities in Investigation of Alleged Cartel Site in Jalisco

In a recent development, Mexico’s attorney general disclosed significant irregularities in the state authorities’ investigation of a suspected cartel killing site in Jalisco. This site, reported to include a training camp and discovered bones alongside numerous personal belongings, has shocked many searching for their missing relatives.

Known colloquially as the “ranch of horror,” the site is located in Teuchitlan, near Guadalajara, and was uncovered by law enforcement in September 2024. The situation escalated in March 2025 when a search collective, dedicated to finding the disappeared, unearthed burned bone fragments and various personal effects, casting doubt on the efficacy of the initial probes led by the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office.

Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero, who accrued oversight of the investigation last week, reported lapses by Jalisco investigators. Key missteps included the failure to log vital evidence or fingerprints and inadequate processing of vehicles found at the scene, with three of these vehicles later stolen. Furthermore, Gertz emphasized that local authorities did not adequately investigate the ranch’s ownership or scientifically analyze potential cremation sites. He criticized the lack of arrests of local officials believed to be involved in the ranch’s illicit activities.

Gertz expressed confidence that the overwhelming evidence would ultimately reveal the full truth regarding this unsettling case. He added that federal prosecutors had not been formally informed about the site, contrary to standard protocols, and implicitly blamed the state prosecutor’s office. Despite operations conducted by the National Guard at the location last year, much remains unknown about the ranch’s purpose regarding cartel activities.

The Jalisco Search Warriors collective recently released distressing visuals, depicting numerous shoes and heaps of clothing alongside what appeared to be human bones. This revelation comes amid a backdrop of ongoing violence and disappearances across Mexico, where approximately 120,000 individuals are still reported missing, largely attributed to organized crime and rampant governmental corruption.

In light of the findings, the United Nations Human Rights Office has called for comprehensive and transparent investigations into the alleged crimes at the Jalisco site. Vigils and protests have occurred throughout the weekend, paying tribute to the victims tied to the ranch.

Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, a video emerged on Monday featuring masked and heavily armed individuals claiming affiliation with the Jalisco New Generation cartel. They criticized the motivations of the searchers, increasing the tension surrounding the ongoing investigation.

This cartel, alongside seven other Latin American organizations, was classified as a foreign terrorist entity by the U.S. government last month. The discovery of unmarked mass graves has surged recently, with at least 56 bodies identified in January in northern Mexico, close to the U.S. border, and a mass grave containing dismembered remains found in Guadalajara last December.

Collectives devoted to locating missing individuals have reported that drug trafficking groups may utilize incineration methods to eliminate evidence, leaving no traces of their victims.

Agence France-Presse contributed to this report.

Source
www.cbsnews.com