Tigers and Jaguars are safeguarded at Lake Chapala in Jalisco, under the supervision of the CJNG.

In a recent operation in the municipality of Jamay, a routine patrol by the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) led to the discovery of illegal wildlife. The Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) initiated legal proceedings, resulting in a search warrant issued by a control judge. The Federal Ministerial Police and the Criminal Investigation Agency executed the search, uncovering a Bengal Tiger, an Albino Tiger, and five Jaguars at the property in the southern part of Lake Chapala.

This area is not only known for its biodiversity but also for its association with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Notably, on May 10, 2021, the CJNG publicly displayed generosity by sending caravans with gifts to celebrate Mother’s Day in the municipalities of La Barca, Jamay, and Tototlán. These convoys carried messages of congratulations and delivered appliances to mothers in Jalisco, an act documented and circulated widely on social media. Such gestures of goodwill from the cartel have also been noted in previous years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic when they distributed toys to children in various parts of Jalisco.

Jamay’s strategic location, on the territorial limits of Jalisco and Michoacán and near Ocotlán, places it within a significant zone of CJNG control. This area has been a hotbed for clashes and has seen extensive cartel influence, with the group led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” extending its reach into neighboring regions. In 2022, a noteworthy operation by the National Guard in the area resulted in the seizure of a significant CJNG arsenal, including a truck with homemade armor known colloquially as “monster.”

Furthermore, recent patrols in Jamay by the National Guard have led to the discovery of tactical gear, ammunition, and narcotics in an abandoned car, indicating the ongoing presence and activities of the CJNG in the region. Despite these seizures, authorities have not yet located the owners of the contraband or definitively linked them to a particular criminal organization. Nonetheless, the evidence and regional context strongly suggest CJNG involvement.

While the specific objectives and strategies behind these operations have not been disclosed, the persistent focus on Jamay and its surroundings underscores the critical importance of combating organized crime. The dual nature of these operations, targeting both wildlife crimes and the pervasive influence of the CJNG, reflects the complex challenges Mexican authorities face in their efforts to maintain law and order and protect the region’s rich biodiversity. As these efforts continue, the hope is to destabilize the criminal networks and restore peace and security to the communities affected by cartel operations.