Santiago Meza López, known as 'El Pozolero', was paid approximately 7 thousand pesos a week for his work in the Tijuana Cartel. The Jalisco Prosecutor's Office made public an inventory of objects discovered at the Izaguirre Ranch in Teuchitlán on March 12, where clandestine crematories, human remains, 400 pairs of shoes, hundreds of garments, and various personal items were found. Among the findings are 96 shell casings of different calibers, some truncated and others corroded.
The revelation of these findings has had a significant impact on public opinion, highlighting the cartels' ability to erase traces and eliminate numerous people before hiding their bodies in clandestine graves.
Santiago Meza López, arrested in 2009 for criminal activities for the Tijuana Cartel, admitted his involvement in the disappearance of at least 300 bodies. Known as 'El Pozolero,' he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for organized crime, clandestine burial, and criminal association. After being arrested, he revealed that he dissolved bodies in acid before scattering the remains in clandestine graves.
The case of this 'pozolero' has gained relevance again with the discoveries at the Izaguirre Ranch, which was previously inspected without finding signs of crematories or hidden graves. The Attorney General's Office of the Republic has taken over the case to clarify responsibilities and has highlighted Meza López's methods for disposing of bodies in acid, subsequently dumping the residues in vacant areas of Tijuana.
Alejandro Gertz Manero, the attorney general, criticized the lack of action by local authorities in light of the magnitude of the crime. Santiago Meza López, whose involvement in organized crime stemmed from retaliation for an act of violence against his sister, faced a second conviction in 2024 for organized crime and kidnapping.
In addition to the human remains and bullet casings, three high-caliber weapon magazines and a metal ring for detentions were found at the ranch in Teuchitlán, which operated as a training center under the control of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
