Extortionists Arrested in Michoacán for Pressuring Avocado Growers Amidst Security Crisis

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to speak with Juan Carlos Venegas, an avocado entrepreneur from Uruapan. He told us—and told you, since he was kind enough to join us—that security problems in the state hadn’t been resolved, and that this complaint from the U.S. government regarding a risk or threat faced by one of their inspectors had triggered a reaction from the federal government. 

And that is a good thing, because the issue of extortion in the country was not being addressed. Well, today I can report that Omar García Harfuch, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, announced—specifically during this morning’s press conference—the arrest of 12 people in an operation in that state. One of them is linked to the Knights Templar group, a group that had—well, had faded into the background or was spoken of less, but has resurged—if indeed it ever ceased to be relevant. 

But let’s go to René Cruz, who has the details on this arrest. How are you, René? Tell us about this case. Hello, Mario. Good afternoon. I should mention that federal forces apprehended Cristian Maximiliano “N”—known as “El X1″—in Michoacán; he is linked to a Knights Templar cell. 

This individual was arrested alongside 11 other people during 11 raids carried out in Uruapan and Ciricuaretiro as part of ongoing investigations into groups that extort producers, merchants, transporters, and packing plants in the avocado, livestock, and meat sectors. 

Six firearms, vehicles, a signal jammer, tactical gear, narcotics, and cash were seized at the scene. In this regard, Omar García Harfuch, head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, stated that those who threaten families and seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the hard work of producers, merchants, and transporters will be investigated, arrested, and brought to justice.

Source: MVS Noticias