Mayor Arrested in Connection with Cartel’s Recruitment and Training Camp

Long hallway with prison cells on both sides.

Mexican mayor José Murguía Santiago of Teuchitlán faces serious criminal charges after authorities linked him to a drug cartel training facility dubbed the “ranch of horror,” where human remains were discovered.

Key Takeaways

Mayor José Murguía Santiago has been arrested for alleged collusion with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) despite his claims of innocence
The investigation centers on the Izaguirre ranch, where activists discovered bone fragments and personal items, suggesting possible forced recruitment, training, and killings
Mexico’s Attorney-General disputes claims that the site was an “extermination camp” but confirms it was used as a cartel training center
Multiple officials including police officers have been arrested in connection with the investigation, highlighting potential corruption issues
The case adds to Mexico’s ongoing missing persons crisis, with over 127,000 people registered as missing nationwide

Mayor’s Arrest and Alleged Cartel Connections

Federal authorities have arrested José Murguía Santiago, mayor of Teuchitlán in Mexico’s western Jalisco state, as part of a widening investigation into a suspected drug cartel training facility. The mayor is being investigated for possible collusion with the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most violent criminal organizations. Despite previously declaring his innocence and willingness to cooperate, Murguía Santiago now faces serious criminal charges. His arrest comes after activists uncovered disturbing evidence at a local ranch, prompting questions about local government complicity with cartel operations in the region.

Before his arrest, Murguía Santiago had publicly declared: “If they want to investigate me, let them, I’m clean and willing to say what I know.” His subsequent detention suggests authorities found evidence contradicting these claims of innocence. The investigation is part of a broader effort to uncover potential omissions or complicity by local officials with cartel activities, which has already resulted in about a dozen arrests, including a police chief and several officers from the area.

Mexican mayor arrested in connection over drug cartel training camp

A federal official said a mayor in western Mexico was arrested as part of a probe into a suspected drug cartel training camp, where #LadyGagaNaGlo #freevdm #MilkLove | May the 4th #linglingkwong pic.twitter.com/TrgnLQvG0x

— Newswire Law & Events (@NewswireLE) May 5, 2025

The “Ranch of Horror” Discovery

The investigation began after a group called Guerreros Buscadores discovered bone fragments and personal items at the Izaguirre ranch in Teuchitlán. Human rights organizations immediately raised concerns that the site functioned as what they termed an “extermination camp” where the CJNG conducted forced recruitment, training, and killings of non-cooperative recruits. The discovery sent shockwaves through the community and drew national attention to the scale of cartel operations in the region, particularly their ability to maintain sophisticated training facilities with apparent impunity.

“A mayor from a western Mexico town was arrested as part of a probe into a suspected drug cartel training camp where human bones and clothing were found, a federal official said.”

In September 2023, authorities conducted a raid on the property where they arrested 10 people, freed two captives, and discovered a dead body along with skeletal remains. Human Rights Watch described the location as an “apparent mass killing site.” The attorney general’s office took over the investigation after complaints that local authorities had failed to thoroughly examine evidence during initial searches, raising further questions about possible official collusion with cartel activities.

Conflicting Narratives About the Site’s Purpose

Mexico’s Attorney-General Alejandro Gertz has confirmed the site was indeed a training center for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel but disputed characterizations of it as an extermination camp. According to Gertz, forensic analysis determined that bone fragments found at the site were not recent, and fires at the ranch were not hot enough to dispose of human remains. This assessment has drawn criticism from families of missing persons who believe many questions remain unanswered about the site’s activities.

“No evidence that it was an extermination camp,” stated Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch, supporting the attorney general’s position.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which emerged after splitting from the Sinaloa cartel in 2010, has rapidly developed into one of Mexico’s most violent criminal forces. The discovery of their training facility reveals the sophisticated nature of cartel operations, where recruits allegedly received combat training, weapons instruction, and strategic coordination. The case highlights the troubling reality of organized crime’s growing influence in Mexico, where the line between legitimate governance and criminal enterprise increasingly blurs in certain regions.

Mexico’s Missing Persons Crisis

This case takes place against the backdrop of Mexico’s staggering missing persons crisis. Official records indicate over 127,000 people are registered as missing nationwide, with Jalisco state having the highest number of disappearances. The “ranch of horror” investigation has heightened concerns among families of the missing, many of whom wonder if their loved ones may have passed through such cartel facilities. The arrest of a sitting mayor in connection with such activities underscores the challenges Mexico faces in confronting organized crime when corruption potentially extends into local governance.

The Jalisco cartel has established itself as one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations through a combination of extreme violence, territorial control, and alleged infiltration of government institutions. This case represents a troubling example of how criminal enterprises can potentially operate with the knowledge or assistance of elected officials, complicating Mexico’s already challenging security situation and undermining public trust in government institutions tasked with protecting citizens.