Rafael “N” arrest in Zapopan linked to CJNG-related cell Los Rs, Digi Mart USA News (Jalisco, Mexico): Rafael “N”, known as “El R2,” was located in Zapopan during a deployment of federal forces. He was wounded after an armed confrontation and had an outstanding arrest warrant for homicide, as well as an extradition request from the United States.
Authorities said the operation, led by elements of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) through its Naval Special Operations Unit (UNOPES), was carried out with the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) and Mexican Army Special Forces. El R2 was identified as one of the main leaders of “Los Rs,” a criminal cell linked to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) with presence in Jalisco and Michoacán.
Nineteen other people were also arrested.
According to information from the Security Cabinet, the location of the alleged criminal leader was the result of intelligence work by the National Intelligence Center (CNI), as well as information exchanged with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
During the deployment, an armed exchange of fire took place between alleged members of the group and authorities.
In the shootout, El R2 was injured and taken to a hospital for medical care. Authorities said Rafael “N” had a valid arrest warrant for aggravated homicide issued by a court in Apatzingán, Michoacán, in addition to an order for extradition to the United States.
According to investigations, “Los Rs” is linked to extortion, drug trafficking, homicide, kidnapping, illegal deprivation of liberty and attacks on security forces. Alleged extortion victims include business owners and avocado producers.
Authorities have also linked the group to the murder of Carlos Manzo, former mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán.
His brother, Ramón Álvarez Ayala, alias “El R1,” was previously arrested and named as the alleged intellectual author of that homicide. Both brothers had been captured in 2012 during a federal operation in Guadalajara and Zapopan but were later released.
With the new arrest of Rafael “N,” federal authorities struck another blow to the structure of “Los Rs,” while investigations continue to determine the involvement of the other 19 detainees and clarify the scope of the criminal activities attributed to the organization.
