Tala, Jalisco: Land of CJNG Training Camps; 3 More Found

Translated by Yaqui from: Excelsior

3 More CJNG Training Camps Located in the Municipality of Tala, Jalisco

By: Adriana Luna, Sept 22, 2017
Backround read: Otis's BB Post from Proceso, July 28, 2017

19 persons were arrested by the FGJ and one man died in a shooting at another training camp of the CJNG (Cartel Nuevo Generacion Jalisco). There is an investigation being opened into whether any of the detainees had been recruited against their will, through social media, especially through Facebook. 

At least 400 intelligence agents from the Attorney General of Jalisco (FGJ) and members of four Sedena Reaction Forces located three more camps in the municipality of Tala, in which the Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) cartel trains its future gunmen, so the FGE added five camps found this  week.

The special operation began Thursday morning in five municipalities of the Five Valleys Region, (Tala, Ameca, Teuchitlán, Magdalena and Tequila), which resulted in 19 people arrested, one of them of Honduran origin, and one dead.

CJNG Cartel members posing for photos for FB Recruitment

"It was a very strong blow to this criminal group ... if there is any kind of reaction we will be acting with the same force, and I also confirm that this effort involves the actions of the authorities, not only the municipality of Tala, but the entire Five Valley Regions."

"There are, so far at least 19 people arrested, another one was killed during the confrontation that occurred when the second of the three camps was discovered," said Jalisco's Attorney General Eduardo Almaguer Ramírez.

The strategy of the security forces was to attack simultaneously different points of the region by land and by air.

Makeshift Training Camp "Facilities"

In the area of Navajas one of the camps was found, an area of very ​​difficult access, the site was camouflaged with black plastic and branches and was located three hours drive along winding roads.

The detainees were, at the close of this edition, at the premises of the Attorney General's Office in Jalisco, where they were being interrogated and a further investigation opened.

Of the 19 detainees, 16 were found in one camp.

The authorities are trying to find out whether or not among the detainees are three men who had been reported missing. Just last week three people of six were located who had been reported as missing in the area.

The state prosecutor said that with the evidence gathered in these new camps there is "clear and reliable evidence that this recruitment process was done through social networks, ie, inviting them to participate in the  "most important of the armed security groups" as the recruiters phrased it.

However, authorities have not yet determined whether the detainees "are victims or not, as it is believed that one of them (rescued days ago) returned to this camp to continue training," said the state official.

Human remains have been found in one of the camps in Tala in recent days; Almaguer said that the forensic data showed that the remains are approximately equivalent to three people. DNA tests are currently being performed to prove their identities.

Burning Pit with Human Remains  located at a previous CJNG Training Camp
thought to be persons that were either recruited of kidnapped but resistant to the challenge

Members of the criminal group are accused of organized crime, disappearance of persons, kidnapping, homicide and theft of fuel through clandestine outposts. The FGJ warned that the priority interest of the CJNG is to dominate the Five Valley Regions, which represents a direct corridor towards the north coast of Jalisco.

"Inquiries and investigations include municipal authorities, crimes could range from omission to complicity ... I can tell you that of the 16 individuals, ten have already confirmed their participation in illicit activities.", stated the Attorney General of the Sate of Jalisco, Eduardo Almaguer Ramirez.

Yesterday, a number of motorcycles and vehicles were secured, in addition to the camps, most of them with plates from Jalisco, and one with plates from the State of Mexico.