Two CJNG Members Found Dead in Tangamandapio, Michoacán

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A pickup truck marked CJNG is abandoned by the side of a highway near Paso del Molino in Tangamandapio, Michoacán with two dead bodies with visible signs of torture in the bed of the truck. A threatening cardboard sign was left of the windshield of the vehicle.

On May 21 2021, farmers were leaving the small town of Paso del Molino and moving east, towards the Zamora-Los Reyes highway 16, when they encountered an abandoned white pickup truck that was spray painted with the letters CJNG on the side of the road. Noventa Grados reports the discovery occurred around 7:40 am whereas MoerliActivia reports the discovery was around 6:30am. The farmers called 911 emergency services line and reported the abandoned pick up truck bearing the cartel’s initials located at the junction of highway 16 to Paso del Molino.

Several Public Security officers were dispatched to the area where they were able to confirm the discovery, they then requested the presence of personnel from the State Attorney General’s office and Forensic services. The Public security officers cordoned off the area from the public while the scene was being processed.  PrimeraPlana has a video showing the scene as recorded by a motorist.

The white Nissan pickup truck had the letters CJNG spray painted onto the doors and a Michoacan license plate. A cardboard sign with a threatening message was placed on the windshield. The content of the sign has not been released or leaked as of today, however if the message is revealed, this story will be updated with the details.

In the back of the pickup truck bed there were two deceased males with apparent gunshot wounds, various injuries to their limbs and visible signs of torture. One of the males was wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts, the other was wearing only a gray and purple plaid jacket. The two males are currently unidentified. The bodies were taken to the local morgue in Zamora and the pickup truck was taken to facilities of the State Attorney General's as evidence.

Earlier this week in Tangamandapio municipality, the decapitated corpse of a woman who had been burned was discovered on the same Zamora-Los Reyes highway. She was found near the community of Napoliti, a roughly 30 minute drive away from Paso del Molino. Both towns are in the north west section of Michoacán, near the border with Jalisco.

Last month in Tangamandapio, as previously reported on Borderland Beat, there were armed clashes possibly between Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and La Nueva Familia Michoacána that left 5 dead although the cartels involved in those clashes cannot be confirmed.  

Sources: La Voz de Michoacán, Quadratin, MoreliActiva, Primera Plana, Noventa Grados , El sol de Zamora, La Voz Article on incident earlier this week

(Please note: MoreliActiva and La Voz say motorists made the discovery, Quadratin says farmers made the discovery.)