Capturing Ney González: Federal and State Operation Targets Irregular Land Sales by Former Nayarit Governors

Web Editor

November 12, 2025

Background on Key Figures

Ney González served as the Priist governor of Nayarit from 2005 to 2011. His successor, Roberto Sandoval, also from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), governed from 2011 to 2017. Both are under investigation for the irregular sale of lands along Nayarit’s Riviera.

Operation Details and Impact

As a result of a joint federal and state operation, an arrest warrant has been issued for Ney González, and Roberto Sandoval is under investigation. This operation stems from the “Megaoperativo Nuevo Nayarit,” which has led to the recovery of 9.6 million square meters of land in Nayarit’s Riviera, estimated to be worth at least 50 billion pesos.

Timeline and Investigation

The investigation began in 2022 following a complaint from the Bahía de Banderas Trust. The collaborative efforts of federal and state authorities resulted in the securing of 359 bank accounts, totaling over 7 billion pesos, belonging to 45 legal entities and 82 individuals. Additionally, searches were conducted at various public notary offices, uncovering alterations in official documents.

Current Status of Investigation

For Ney González, a red notice has been issued by Interpol, and he is currently being sought by both federal and state authorities. Investigations are ongoing for both González and Sandoval, targeting their family members and associated businesses for crimes such as influence peddling and money laundering.

Key Questions and Answers

  • Who is Ney González? Ney González served as the Priist governor of Nayarit from 2005 to 2011.
  • Who is Roberto Sandoval? Roberto Sandoval succeeded Ney González as governor of Nayarit, serving from 2011 to 2017 and belonging to the same Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
  • What is the investigation about? The investigation centers around the irregular sale of lands along Nayarit’s Riviera by both former governors.
  • What is the “Megaoperativo Nuevo Nayarit”? It is a joint federal and state operation that has led to the recovery of 9.6 million square meters of land in Nayarit’s Riviera, estimated to be worth at least 50 billion pesos.
  • When did the investigation begin? The investigation started in 2022 following a complaint from the Bahía de Banderas Trust.
  • What actions have been taken so far? Authorities secured 359 bank accounts worth over 7 billion pesos and conducted searches at public notary offices, uncovering document alterations.
  • What is the current status of the investigation? A red notice has been issued for Ney González by Interpol, and both former governors and their associates are under investigation for crimes like influence peddling and money laundering.