Leader of 'La Tía' cell, linked to migrant trafficking, arrested in Mexico

Mexican federal forces have apprehended Ana Florella Fragoso Ramos, identified as the leader of the 'La Tía' criminal cell, and four alleged accomplices in the state of Jalisco. Known also as 'La Tía' or 'Flor,' Fragoso Ramos is reportedly linked to the Nueva Empresa Cartel.

The arrests were made during coordinated raids in the municipalities of Zapopan and Tonalá. According to the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), the 'La Tía' cell is involved in the trafficking of migrants, primarily using tunnels to move individuals from Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, to the United States. The organization is also implicated in drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion activities.

During the operations, authorities seized a GMC Sierra AT4 pickup truck, a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, cash, 31 mobile phones, three tablets, a laptop, four computers, a USB drive, three payment terminals, and three SIM cards. The five individuals detained were identified as Ana Florella Fragoso Ramos, Gilberto Sosa Valles ('El Loco'), Martha Samara Olvera de Anda ('La Fresa'), José de Jesús Rodríguez Diego, and Mayra Saraí Olvera de Anda.

These arrests are part of ongoing efforts by the Attorney General's Office (FGR) to dismantle criminal organizations operating in the region. The investigation identified the 'La Tía' group's involvement in various illicit activities, highlighting the complex challenges faced in combating organized crime and migrant smuggling networks.