In La Ruana, a locality that was the origin of the self-defense groups in 2013, control of the territory currently belongs to the Tepalcatepec Cartel. Michoacán is recognized as one of the main producers of lemon in Mexico and has faced serious consequences due to the increase in the presence of organized crime. According to previous reports, the cartels impose a "criminal tax" for every kilo of citrus transported to packing plants.
According to a report from the Michoacán State Security Council of 2024, the criminal groups competing for control of extortion in Apatzingán include the Knights Templar Cartel, the Acahuato Cartel, and United Cartels, formed by Los Viagras and Blancos de Troya. In Buenavista Tomatlán, it has been determined that United Cartels is the dominant organization in the collection of fees.
In an operation carried out in Apatzingán, Michoacán, on Wednesday, February 26, Gerardo 'N' was arrested, the alleged leader of a criminal organization. The Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), Omar García Harfuch, reported that Gerardo 'N' was dedicated to extorting lemon and avocado producers in the region.
In a joint action between the National Defense Secretariat (Sedena), the SSPC, and the Michoacán Security Secretariat, the capture of the alleged criminal leader was executed in response to citizen complaints related to extortion cases affecting the business sector of the state. Due to the threats faced by lemon producers, uncertainty has arisen regarding the continuity of lemon production.
In August 2024, the governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez, accused producers of stopping the harvesting of lemons in Apatzingán not due to extortion issues, but to raise the price of the citrus. On the other hand, a lemon grower in Michoacán accused Ramírez of having links to crime, claiming that those suffering the consequences were the farmers and the population dedicated to harvesting. Both individuals are affiliated with a criminal group involved in crimes such as extortion, kidnapping, and homicides.
The information obtained through intelligence work suggests that Gerardo 'N' could be related to the murder of two agents of the Attorney General's Office (FGR), whose bodies were recently discovered in the state. For several years, both lemon and avocado producers and packers in Michoacán have reported being victims of organized crime, which is dedicated to extorting the lemon growers of Tierra Caliente.
