La Familia emerged as a vigilante group in the 1990s, but only solidified a regional presence in 2004, when it merged efforts with the Gulf Cartel to muscle out the Sinaloa Cartel and Milenio Cartel – once leaders in methamphetamine production in Mexico. Los Zetas were responsible for training the now ruthless La Familia cartel, which has carried out executions throughout its base-state of Michoacan. La Familia’s operations are vastly different from other organized crime groups in Mexico. Unlike some drug syndicates, La Familia goes beyond the production and transport of narcotics and seeks political and social standing within Michoacan. Priding themselves on community awareness and loyalty, La Familia only retains members who were born and raised in Michoacan.
La Familia recruitment resembles that of an evangelical doctrine. La Familia often recruits from drug rehabilitation centers, where “converts” are indoctrinated with a form of religious “fundamentalism.” However, failure by a recruit to adhere to La Familia doctrine is punishable by death. Mexican authorities also describe many La Familia founders as a “religious zealots.”
•Current leader Nazario Moreno Gonzalez is known to carry a self-published collection of aphorisms, or his “bible,” and insists group members lead lives free of drugs and alcohol.
La Familia announced its dominance in Michoacan in September 2006, when group members tossed five severed heads onto the floor of a dance hall in the city of Uruapan. The decapitated parts were accompanied with a message that stated, “killing only those who deserve to die. Know that this is divine justice.” The incident is largely believed to signify a feud between La Familia and other traffickers operating in the region. Shortly thereafter, La Familia leaders placed advertisements in local newspapers claiming the group to be crime fighters. By December 31, 2008 the group executed 233 people, most of them with ties to criminal organizations; a move that firmly guaranteed La Familia regional control of drug corridors out of Michoacan.
Current Presence:
La Familia is now the top producer of synthetic drugs in Mexico. However, its supplies remain for export only, mostly to markets in the US. Since 2008, La Familia has been able to expand its operations within Michoacan, Guerrero, Queretaro, and in Mexico City, indicating the group sustains the capabilities to battle and defend its interests even in rival territories. With similar success, La Familia also established a foothold in the United States, where it now controls drug-running operations in 20 to 30 cities, including Los Angeles.
La Familia’s principal strength remains its powerful political influence in Michoacan, where it often represents a parallel authority to the local government. Businesses increasingly pay bribes to the organization, at times in lieu of municipal tariffs. Each group member earns a salary of approximately US$1500 to US$2000 per month, while the organization allegedly pays out close to US$1.5 million per month in bribes to maintain close links with the state police forces.
•Michoacan officials reported that approximately 83 of the 113 municipalities in Michoacan are controlled to some degree by La Familia operatives. Many La Familia fighters wear uniforms and drive vehicles similar to that of the Mexican military.
THREAT GROUP PROFILE META DATA & ANALYSIS
Group Alias: FM, Familia Michoacan
Group Activities: La Familia is known in Michoacan for its brutality and infiltration networks within the local government. La Familia has been linked to the following incidents: •In early June 2009 the Mexican Navy seized 200 pounds of ready-to-ship “meth,” discovered 39 large-scale methamphetamine labs, and arrested 44 La Familia members in Michoacan. •In May 2009 congressional candidate Gustavo Bucio Rodriguez was slain at a gasoline station. Authorities linked with La Familia went out of their way to convince political leaders that he was the victim of common crime. •In May 2009, Nicolas Leon, a two-time mayor of Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan's port city, was tortured and shot to death. His body was accompanied wit a message signed by "FM" (Familia Michoacana) warning Los Zetas supporters would receive the same treatment. •On September 18, 2008, Mexican Attorney General’s Office argued La Familia, was a lead suspect in the Morelia Independence Day grenade attacks. However, authorities also investigated a text message sent to media reporters incriminated Los Zetas. The tone of the messages proved the two groups had a falling out. •In September 2008 La Familia was tied to the murder of 24 people in La Marquesa Park. La Familia is known in Michoacan for its brutality and infiltration networks within the local government. La Familia has been linked to the following incidents: •In early June 2009 the Mexican Navy seized 200 pounds of ready-to-ship “meth,” discovered 39 large-scale methamphetamine labs, and arrested 44 La Familia members in Michoacan. •In May 2009 congressional candidate Gustavo Bucio Rodriguez was slain at a gasoline station. Authorities linked with La Familia went out of their way to convince political leaders that he was the victim of common crime. •In May 2009, Nicolas Leon, a two-time mayor of Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan's port city, was tortured and shot to death. His body was accompanied wit a message signed by "FM" (Familia Michoacana) warning Los Zetas supporters would receive the same treatment. •On September 18, 2008, Mexican Attorney General’s Office argued La Familia, was a lead suspect in the Morelia Independence Day grenade attacks. However, authorities also investigated a text message sent to media reporters incriminated Los Zetas. The tone of the messages proved the two groups had a falling out. •In September 2008 La Familia was tied to the murder of 24 people in La Marquesa Park.
Individuals Involved: On March 23, 2009 the Mexican government published a list that included 24 of Mexico’s most wanted drug kingpins. La Familia was ranked as a separate cartel for the first time, signifying increased attention to the group’s growing prominence in Mexico’s drug cartel echelon. In 2009, the Obama administration also added La Familia to its "kingpin" list, a designation that makes it easier for US authorities to seize the group’s financial assets, including money in US-owned banks. Key personalities we have identified are as follows: Nazario Moreno Gonzalez, "El Mas Loco" (The Craziest), was one of the founders of La Familia organization. Gonzales signed the “crime fighting” advertisements in Michoacan papers, “El Loco.” Gonzales is a religious zealot who carries a self-published collection of aphorisms (his "bible," authorities say) and insists that the group's traffickers and hit men lead lives free of drugs and alcohol. He currently has a US$1 million bounty on his head. Dionicio Loya Plancarte, "El Tio" (The Uncle), is a former military officer. He currently has a US$1 million bounty on his head. Carlos Rosales Mendoza was a key member in the transition of La Familia to a drug trafficking cartel. He originally worked for the Milenio Cartel and eventually switched allegiances to the Gulf Cartel. Mendoza later went to war against the Milenio Cartel alongside Los Zetas and La Familia in Michoacan, in order to establish rights of Pacific coast drug distribution points. The Army arrested Mendoza in October of 2004.
Operating Region: For decades, gangs, including La Familia, have utilized Michoacan state for its fertile soil, abundant water, and rugged hillsides that provide essential cover for illicit operations. Michoacan’s unpopulated Pacific ports allows for easy transport, particularly in the southern tier of the state known as the Tierra Caliente (Hot Land).
Strength: As of February 2007, Mexican officials believe the group maintained approximately 4,000 members.
External Aid: On May 26, 2009, federal forces detained 10 mayors and 20 other local officials for alleged ties to drug trafficking organizations, notably La Familia, in an unprecedented anti-corruption sweep in Michoacan state. The roundup took place only weeks prior to Mexico’s July 5, 2009 local and national elections. • La Familia’s ability to blend into the local government and society in Michoacan will pose a challenge for federal efforts, more than existed in other cartel-controlled areas, such as Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana. We expect there will be an increase in violence in Michoacan and surrounding territories, as La Familia will likely intensified attacks of retaliation and intimidation against officials in order to pressure the federal government to back down.
Status: Active
Date posted: April 26, 2014
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