Arrest of Jalisco Cartel Leader Tied to Extortion and Arson in Tijuana

Mexican authorities have linked the recent arrest of a Jalisco cartel leader to multiple extortion and arson incidents in Tijuana, a border city in Baja California.

Officials from the Baja California Attorney General’s Office collaborated with their counterparts in Jalisco to identify and apprehend a suspect known as El Matute, whose real name is Luis “N.” He is believed to lead a group of armed individuals extorting local taxi drivers and businesses.

According to information from the Baja California FGE, El Matute is believed to be organizing a gang that threatens local business owners. This armed group reportedly also infiltrated local taxis, intimidating drivers by insisting they now had to pay them for protection.

Maria Elena Andrade, the Baja California Attorney General, mentioned that this gang has been connected to four arson attacks that appear to have been tactics to intimidate potential victims.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of some members of the armed group, aided by communication tracking that linked them back to El Matute, residing in Zapopan, Jalisco.

Authorities indicated that El Matute had been avoiding travel to Baja California due to outstanding charges in the state, including murder.

This crackdown on extortion comes on the heels of federal authorities arresting the mayor of Tequila, Jalisco, and two aides for their roles in extorting local businesses for the Jalisco New Generation cartel. The case has drawn significant attention to the growing extortion crisis in Mexico, a problem largely overlooked by officials.