Ten Men Sentenced to 140 Years Each for Cartel Crimes in Jalisco

The disturbing case has revealed the violent underbelly of Mexico's cartel activities, highlighting the use of ranches for recruitment and training while shedding light on the plight of missing individuals.

A Mexican court has sentenced ten men to over 140 years in prison each for their involvement in the brutal killing of one person and the disappearance of two others at a ranch associated with the Jalisco cartel in Jalisco state. This ruling reflects the shocking nature of the cartel's operations, which prey on young recruits through abduction, training, and executions.

The men were apprehended in September during a police operation at the Izaguirre ranch, located approximately six hours away from Mexico City. The police received calls regarding gunfire, and upon their arrival, they encountered armed resistance and discovered a deceased individual, alongside two captives, prompting a significant law enforcement response.

The case gained national attention further in March when volunteers searching for missing loved ones uncovered alarming evidence at the ranch, including what appeared to be underground cremation sites, charred human remains, and numerous personal belongings indicative of victimization. Although Mexico's attorney general stated that no proof of human cremations was found, it was confirmed that the ranch functioned as a critical training center for the cartel.

Photo documentation from the site showed a haunting accumulation of shoes, clothing, and what looked to be bone fragments, highlighting the toll taken on families affected by cartel violence. Each convicted man was also mandated to pay around $70,000 in reparations to the victims' families, though many hope for justice beyond financial compensation as Mexico continues to grapple with the widespread violence and abduction culture fostered by powerful criminal organizations.