José Gregorio “El Lastra,” a key recruiter for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was arrested in Mexico City on March 20, 2025. Authorities apprehended him in the Cuajimalpa borough, marking a significant blow to the CJNG’s operations.
El Lastra was linked to the Izaguirre Ranch in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, which served as a training and recruitment center for the cartel, and that has been called an “extermination camp” by national and international news outlets. The ranch was notorious for its brutal practices, including torture and execution of individuals who resisted recruitment or attempted to escape.
El Lastra’s recruitment methods involved deceptive job postings on social media, promising high salaries to lure individuals. Once recruited, individuals were transported to the ranch, where they underwent rigorous physical training and were outfitted with tactical gear. During their month-long training, recruits were kept in isolation and subjected to harsh conditions. Those who failed to comply faced severe consequences, including physical abuse and, in some cases, death.
The arrest was part of a coordinated effort by federal security forces, including the National Guard and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection. Authorities have also dismantled several online platforms used for recruitment and arrested other individuals linked to the ranch’s operations.
El Lastra’s capture highlights the ongoing efforts to combat organized crime in Mexico. His role as a recruiter and his connection to the Izaguirre Ranch underscore the CJNG’s extensive network and the challenges authorities face in dismantling such operations.
Source: La Jornada
