A mass grave and three cremation ovens containing charred human remains have been discovered at a suspected extermination camp in Jalisco, Mexico, during a family’s search for a missing loved one.
The gruesome site, located on a ranch in Teuchitlán, was uncovered by the nonprofit Guerreros Buscadores collective after receiving an anonymous tip on March 5. Investigators also found personal belongings, including 400 pairs of shoes, clothing, jewelry, diaries, and a handwritten note believed to be from a victim.
“We found charred remains, remains of charred human bodies in graves,” said Indira Navarro, a member of the search group. Bones, bullet casings, and magazines were also recovered, suggesting the site was used as a training ground for organized crime.
Authorities suspect the notorious Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) is behind the secret extermination camp. Police confirmed that three large cremation furnaces used by the cartel were found on the property, along with piles of abandoned belongings.
A particularly chilling discovery was a Bible containing photos of three children. “These photos may be a sign of hope for some family,” the collective said, according to the Daily Mail. A notebook listing 54 nicknamed victims was also found, though officials have not yet confirmed their identities.
Jalisco has the highest number of missing persons in Mexico, with nearly 15,000 reported cases, according to the National Search Commission.
The discovery comes as tensions escalate between the Mexican government and powerful drug cartels following U.S. pressure to crack down on organized crime. Former President Donald Trump’s executive order designated eight Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, prompting arrests, extraditions, and drug lab seizures.
However, with top cartel leaders removed from power, rival factions are now battling for control in key regions, including tourist hotspots.
Former Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) official Stacy Zinn warned that cartel violence poses a significant risk for Americans visiting Mexico, particularly Spring Break travelers.
“Mexico is a hot potato right now with cartels being labeled as terrorist organization affiliates,” Zinn told The U.S. Sun. “We’ve seen an uptick in violence… Americans or travelers can still get caught up in the crossfire of rival members trying to establish new boundaries.”
With ongoing cartel conflicts and an increasing number of missing persons, authorities continue to investigate the mass grave and the full extent of its connection to organized crime.
the-sun.com
