The Michoacán Attorney General’s Office stated that the cartel led by “Sierra 1” and “Sierra 2” has been dismantled, while investigations continue to apprehend the political figures who allegedly provided them with protection and facilitated their operations.
Israel Vega Rodríguez, the official in charge of the office, highlighted that the capture of brothers Ernesto Rafael “N” and Alfredo “N” dealt a major blow to the so-called “Altozano Cartel,” which extorted merchants, loggers, and mezcal producers.
“It is this Prosecutor’s Office’s responsibility to get to the bottom of this; we must exhaust every single line of investigation wherever the evidence leads us. If anyone was supporting these individuals, they will obviously be held accountable—whether for facilitating actions, collaborating with them, or leaking information,” he said.
Vega Rodríguez reported that the hearing for “Sierra 1” is scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, after the defense requested an extension of the constitutional timeframe for the initial hearing.
Having been arrested in flagrante delicto (in the act), he faces charges for illegal possession of firearms reserved for exclusive military use, bribery, and small-scale drug trafficking.
Additionally, there are outstanding arrest warrants against him for homicide and aggravated kidnapping; one of these warrants relates to the murder of Sergio Rangel, a regional leader in the mezcal industry.
As for “Sierra 2″—the second-in-command of this criminal group allied with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)—he is accused of being responsible for collecting extortion payments from various sectors; he was also arrested in the act while in possession of firearms and drugs.
The hearing to determine his legal status is scheduled for Thursday, July 2, following a request to extend the constitutional timeframe.
Source: unotv
