“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Authorities arrest three members of the criminal group “Los Blancos de Troya” after the murder of Bernardo Bravo in Apatzingán.
Federal and state security forces arrested three people, including a woman, identified as operatives of the criminal group “Los Blancos de Troya.” They are allegedly responsible for the murder of Bernardo Bravo, who was the leader of the lemon producers in the Apatzingán Valley.
Among those arrested is Héctor “P,” an accountant and financial manager for Andrés Sepúlveda, “La Fresa,” the leader of the organization, as well as his son-in-law. Both were arrested in Cenobio Moreno.
Meanwhile, in the community of San Juan de los Plátanos, María de Jesús “G,” 49, nicknamed “La Tía,” was captured. She was identified as the communications chief for César Sepúlveda, “El Botox,” another leader of the organization. The State Attorney General’s Office is offering 100,000 pesos for information related to this individual.
LINKS TO MAJOR CARTELS
“Los Blancos de Troya” operate as the armed wing of the Los Viagras Cartel, currently allied with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, under the name Cartel Michoacán Nueva Generación.
According to intelligence reports, the murder of Bernardo Bravo was allegedly carried out by members of this criminal group, who carry out extortion and violent operations targeting lemon producers in the region.
BACKGROUND TO THE CRIME
Prior to these arrests, Rigoberto “N,” alias “El Plátano,” was arrested as the alleged mastermind behind the murder. According to authorities, he was in charge of collecting fees from citrus producers in the region.
Bernardo Bravo was deprived of his liberty and subsequently murdered last Sunday in Apatzingán. He was known for his activism and for publicly denouncing the extortion and violence suffered by the lemon sector at the hands of organized crime in Tierra Caliente.
IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
The murder of an agricultural leader like Bernardo Bravo has generated alarm among local producers and security agencies, highlighting the pressure that criminal groups exert on the regional economy and the need to strengthen surveillance and protection of social leaders in the area.
Sources: El Imparcial, Borderland Beat Archives