## Ecuandureo Police and CJNG Connections
### Arrest of Municipal Officers
Eleven municipal police officers from Ecuandureo, Michoacán, including the Director of Public Security, were arrested on February 24 for alleged connections with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). These officers were reportedly part of the “R1” cell and were operating without official registration in the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP).
### Operation Overview
The arrests occurred during an operation by the Civil Guard in the Zamora region, which was initiated following riots triggered by the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of CJNG. The officers were reported to be roaming the streets hooded and without official insignia, prompting an inspection that uncovered methamphetamine, cartel insignia, and communication devices linked to criminal activities.
### Involvement with R1 Special Forces
The evidence submitted during the initial hearing revealed that some patches worn by the arrested officers were indicative of their loyalty to the R1 Special Forces, led by Rubén Guerrero, a close associate of the cartel’s founding members and a potential successor to “El Mencho.” It was noted that Rubén Guerrero was also killed during a recent operation by federal forces.
### Lack of Official Registration
The situation is further complicated by the statement from the Attorney General’s Office of Michoacán, confirming that none of the detained officers were officially registered as active personnel with the SESNSP. This absence of registration indicates that they operated outside established administrative controls and lacked any trust evaluation, raising serious concerns about public safety and the integrity of local law enforcement.
### Preliminary Hearings and Legal Proceedings
In a private hearing led by Judge Didier del Ángel Ortega Ramírez, the eleven officers were formally charged and placed under informal preventive detention, with a two-month period allocated for further investigation.
### Ecuandureo Police Structure
Ecuandureo’s municipal police force consists of 33 officers, with about one-third now removed from duty following these arrests. Alarmingly, only eight officers possess the necessary certificates of control and trust, leaving most of the remaining officers unvetted.
### Mayor’s Response to the Allegations
In response to the scandal, Mayor Jorge Luis Estrada Garibay denied any knowledge of the officers’ alleged ties to the CJNG, expressing surprise at the situation. He conveyed that the Director of Public Security, Jorge Andrés “N,” had been part of the police force before his administration and was appointed based on previous work performance.
### Future Steps and Community Safety
Following the arrests, the Civil Guard has taken over security operations in Ecuandureo. Mayor Estrada has assured the community of his cooperation with federal authorities to restore law and order, emphasizing the importance of upholding the law and ensuring the safety of residents.
### Conclusion
This incident highlights ongoing issues of corruption and infiltration within local law enforcement, particularly in areas with a strong cartel presence. As the situation develops, the integrity of Ecuandureo’s police force will be under intense scrutiny, with calls for reforms and transparency in police practices.