Law enforcement in Mexico discovered a clandestine medical facility operating on a rural property in Tecalitlan, Jalisco state, where individuals forcibly recruited by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) were being held. The eight individuals found at the location had been deprived of their freedom and were recovering from injuries sustained during criminal activities they were forced to undertake. Photographs released by state prosecutors depicted sparse quarters with mattresses positioned on floors and walls showing significant deterioration, along with religious imagery associated with figures venerated in criminal circles.
Jalisco state prosecutor Salvador Gonzalez characterized the property as a shelter designed to house coerced recruits who had sustained injuries while conducting operations on behalf of organized crime groups. Among those rescued, two individuals required crutches for mobility, indicating the severity of their injuries. During the operation, authorities confiscated narcotics and weapons from the premises. Six individuals suspected of serving as guards at the facility were taken into custody, with ages ranging from 21 to 48 years old.
The discovery occurred during an investigation into a missing person case. A 20-year-old man disappeared in late July after departing his residence in Tlaquepaque near Guadalajara in response to what he had believed was a legitimate employment opportunity at an agricultural facility. The investigation that led to locating the missing individual resulted in the identification of the clandestine operation.
This incident parallels a previous case from 2025 involving a suspected CJNG training facility at another Jalisco ranch, where civilian search groups uncovered personal belongings and human remains, leading to over 40 arrests. Mexico currently faces a significant crisis regarding missing persons, with approximately 134,000 individuals unaccounted for nationwide, and Jalisco accounting for disproportionately high numbers. In response to recruitment tactics, Mexico’s government announced the removal of more than 1,700 fraudulent social media accounts used to deceive young people into criminal organizations through fake job postings.
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