11 Michoacán Police Officers Released Over CJNG Ties

Eleven police officers from Michoacán, who allegedly facilitated the narcoblockades of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) following the death of Nemesio Oseguera 'El Mencho', were released this Monday, March 23. But what evidence is there against them? A local criminal judge in Michoacán ordered the release of the municipal police officers from Ecuandureo, detained last February 24, after a hearing in which he granted them conditional freedom with precautionary measures. These measures include the requirement not to change their address. They are also prohibited from consuming drugs or narcotics, as well as abusing alcoholic beverages, in addition to having to perform social service in favor of the state and public charity and to report once a week, to prevent them from escaping while the process against them continues. Other measures against the police include: not carrying weapons, not leaving the country, and maintaining 'an honest way of life.' These police officers are under the surveillance and supervision of the Unit of Precautionary Measures and Suspension of the Process for six months, in a context in which they are allegedly linked to organized crime. How are the police officers related to the CJNG's narcoblockades? There are various allegations against the 11 police officers for their alleged involvement in facilitating the CJNG's narcoblockades after 'El Mencho's' death. According to the Michoacán Prosecutor's Office, in testimonies collected by Quadratín, the police officers had drugs, CJNG insignia, and chats with cartel leaders. The conversations found in their phones contained messages such as 'two greens passed,' referring to military vehicles, or 'two pandas passed,' in relation to police vehicles, according to Quadratín. Furthermore, when their legal documentation was requested, the Michoacán Prosecutor's Office verified that they did not have their unique police certificate nor their registration with the National Public Security System, so they could not be armed. Some of the police officers detained on February 24 are from Jalisco, and six of them are surnamed Valencia, although it has not been proven if they have any relation to the Valencia family, leaders of 'Los Cuinis' and CJNG allies.