Background on the Situation
In Jalisco, Mexico, the state Fiscalía has confirmed the arrest of two municipal police officers and a woman for their involvement in human trafficking. This development comes nearly three months after the discovery of hundreds of clothes and shoes at Izaguirre’s ranch, which the Mexican government alleged functioned as a training center for individuals recruited by drug cartels.
Arrest Details
The two detained officers are currently serving municipal police in San Cristóbal de la Barranca and collaborated with a woman, according to the state Fiscalía’s statement.
Witnesses reported the suspected attempted illegal recruitment of two young men, aged 17 and 18, at a bus terminal to the state police. Upon arrival, officers found the teens with the woman, who claimed to have instructions to deliver them to two municipal police officers at the terminal.
Both the woman and the officers were apprehended for human trafficking, as stated by the Fiscalía.
Victims’ Background
The victims, originating from neighboring Michoacán state, had seen a job offer on social media. In 2024, local media and missing persons groups documented around 30 cases near the bus terminal following alleged job interviews.
The involvement of police in recruiting individuals for criminal groups in Jalisco has been previously mentioned by authorities.
Previous Investigations
During investigations into the criminal ranch in Teuchitlán municipality, two former officers were arrested for their alleged connection to the training site.
Jalisco leads Mexico in disappeared cases, with 15,000 reported instances out of a total of approximately 124,000 nationwide, according to official figures.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was arrested? Two municipal police officers and a woman were detained for human trafficking in Jalisco.
- What was their alleged crime? They were accused of attempting to recruit young men illegally for criminal groups.
- Where did the arrest take place? The arrest occurred at a bus terminal in San Cristóbal de la Barranca.
- Who were the victims? The victims were two young men from Michoacán who responded to a job offer on social media.
- What is the significance of this case? This incident highlights the ongoing issue of police involvement in human trafficking and criminal recruitment in Jalisco, a state grappling with high rates of disappearances.
