One of the three people recently arrested in connection with the killing of the members of Grupo Fugitivo, the members of the Mexican band who disappeared on May 25, has been identified as a Gulf Cartel leader.
Concretely, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSCP) identified the person as "M-47," also known as "Jimmy," claiming to be the mastermind behind the crime.
The other two people were identified as "Raul N" and "Jesus Alejandro N." Authorities also seized guns and drugs in the operation, which took place in the border state of Tamaulipas.
Reynosa law enforcement added in a statement that the operation was conducted in three properties, with officials noting that the drugs in question were cocaine and methamphetamine.
Authorities had arrested nine other people in connection with the crime last week. They have also been connected with the Gulf Cartel.
Authorities confirmed last Thursday that that five bodies found in the state of Tamaulipas belong to the members of the band, who disappeared on May 25 shortly after performing at a private event in the Riberas de Rancho Grande neighborhood.
The band's van was found abandoned shortly after they disappeared. It showed no signs of violence, but the trailer used to transport their musical equipment was missing. The lead vocalist of the group, Carlos Gonzalez, is the only survivor, but largely by chance: he never boarded the van where the rest of the band members were because he was late.
Some family members of the band, however, are not recognizing the deaths and say they are still waiting for confirmation that the bodies effectively belong to their loved ones. They claim that DNA testing has not been completed and the bodies have not been formally identified.
The case unfolds against a backdrop of escalating violence in Tamaulipas, a state long marred by cartel-related conflict. Just nine days before the band went missing, the state capital, Ciudad Victoria, witnessed a major shootout between rival criminal groups.
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