The recent arrest of the now former mayor of Tequila, Jalisco, Diego Rivera, has uncovered a series of accusations against him, ranging from his alleged ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the kidnapping of public officials to the extortion of a well-known tequila distillery in the state.
According to a Bloomberg article, Diego Rivera attempted to extort approximately $4 million in taxes from the company Becle.
Which tequila distilleries does Becle own?
On Becle’s official website, the company describes itself as a globally recognized leader in the spirits industry and as the largest tequila producer in the world.
Becle is a family business currently operated by the eleventh generation. They are responsible for producing, marketing, and distributing more than 30 beverages—including famous tequila brands—ready-to-drink cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks to more than 85 countries.
Their tequila catalog features names such as:
José Cuervo
Gran Coramino
Tequila JAJA
Tequila 1800
Maestro Dobel
Gran Centenario
In addition to other spirits such as whiskey, mezcal, vodka, and rum, not to mention the ready-made cocktails sold in bottles.
However, the Bloomberg article—and what is known about the Diego Rivera case—indicates that the tequila brands the former mayor was allegedly extorting were José Cuervo and Tequila 1800.
In an interview with Bloomberg, the governor of Jalisco, Jesús Pablo Lemus Navarro, confirmed that José Cuervo—as the Becle subsidiary is commonly known—and nine other companies filed complaints with the state government last year, accusing the mayor of extortion.
In addition, the governor had to intervene directly in an alleged attempt by Diego Rivera to close the Tequila 1800 factory.
