In Guanajuato, a strong blow has been dealt against crime with the dismantling of an extortion network operating in Irapuato, León, Celaya, and San Francisco del Rincón. The Attorney General's Office reported that 25 people were arrested and linked to criminal proceedings after a series of strategic operations.
The investigation began on January 4, 2025, when a merchant reported receiving written threats demanding that he contact a phone number to make payments in exchange for "protection." Subsequently, Eduardo “N” was arrested, who demanded money under threats.
The investigations allowed for search warrants to be requested at various properties where the criminal organization operated. As a result, operations were conducted in several municipalities, capturing more than a dozen people, including: Ernesto Ulises “N,” leader of the criminal network in Irapuato, Jesús Ricardo “N,” alias “El Bombero,” Rosa María “N,” involved in aggravated extortion, and Brayan José “N,” identified as the main negotiator.
During the searches, 22 properties, 5 vehicles, 2 firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, 7 magazines, doses of drugs, multiple cell phones, tactical equipment, 43,800 pesos, and 134 dollars were secured. The Prosecutor's Office of Guanajuato emphasized that all those arrested are facing justified preventive detention while legal proceedings against them are ongoing.
No injuries were reported, but the climate of insecurity increased in the community. Thanks to intelligence work and the use of advanced technology, the Prosecutor's Office identified the responsible individuals, achieving the arrest of Gerardo Antonio “N,” alias “El Chuki,” one of the main operators of the network.
As the investigations progressed, it was identified that more than 20 complaints coincided with the same phone number and a similar modus operandi. In response to victims' resistance to pay, the criminals escalated violence, shooting at businesses to instill terror.
