Mexico City has not been immune to the incursions of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Since 2020 alone, cells, plaza bosses, and lieutenants have been detected arriving to establish operational bases, without success, in the southeastern and western parts of the capital. During this period, at least five structures were detected and dismantled, and just over 50 people were arrested.
Intelligence reports from Mexico City authorities reveal that during this time, members of the CJNG have perpetrated violent acts that have marked the city, such as the attack against the then-head of the Mexico City police, Omar García Harfuch, the execution of two Israelis at Plaza Artz, and homicides in public places.
The areas designated by authorities as operational zones are located in the southeastern part of the city, including the boroughs of Xochimilco, Tlalpan, Milpa Alta, Tláhuac, and Coyoacán, as well as Iztapalapa, where, through raids, agents have found warehouses containing high-powered weapons, bulletproof vests, and properties used as drug distribution points.
No plaza boss manages to establish a foothold.
Israel Gálvez Estrada, a plaza boss for the cartel arrested in May 2025 and imprisoned in the Reclusorio Norte prison, led a cell with a presence in the boroughs of Coyoacán, Iztapalapa, and Xochimilco. He became the leader after the arrest, on August 8, 2024, of Eduardo Morfín Vidales, alias “El Valle,” who was captured along with nine other individuals in possession of doses, packages of drugs, ammunition, bulletproof vests, and camouflage uniforms.
Morfin, originally from Michoacán, sought to establish CJNG operations in the capital and, to that end, brought his inner circle: Fabián Anaya, Óscar Julián, and Brayan Guzmán, from Jalisco, and Ángel García, from Colima. He also worked with María Arciniega, Eduardo Ortiz, Francisco Olvera, and Diego Ortiz, from Mexico City, and Cleiber Silva, a Venezuelan national.
