Murdered Mexican State Police Commander Had Corrupt History

Questions continue to surround the recent execution of a high-ranking commander within the Michoacan State Police who was previously singled-out for having ties with various cartels.

Michoacan Police Commander Rogelio Arredondo Guillen was killed as he pulled up to his apartment in an upscale area in Morelia. A team of gunmen fired at Guillen, severely injuring him. He died shortly after at a hospital.

As authorities continue looking into the murder, Arredondo’s dark past is beginning to surface. The late police officer was accused by jailed kingpin Oscar Osvaldo “Compayito” Garcia Montoya of having stolen money and drugs from his organization. During his questioning in 2011, Garcia Montoya related to authorities how he was able to lead a now defunct cartel called Mano con Ojos or Hand with Eyes that operated in Central Mexico. The key to the cartel’s operations was the cooperation of corrupt law enforcement. According to Garcia Montoya, Arredondo took advantage of their deal to steal bulk cash and a suitcase full of cocaine.

Arredondo began his career as a police officer in the border city of Tijuana, Baja California. From there he was recruited by former Mexico State lawman and current Michoacan Attorney General Jose Martin Godoy. Despite having been named in multiple allegations of corruption, Arredondo remained untouched.

Law enforcement sources revealed to Breitbart Texas that Arredondo was closely linked to recently captured cartel boss Ignacio “El Cenizo” Andrade Renteria, the former head of the Knights Templar and Familia Michoacana cartel. As Breitbart Texas reported, Andrade Renteria was arrested late last month after a gun battle in a rural part of Michoacan. Local sources have revealed that Andrade was able to bribe his way to the highest levels of law enforcement in Michoacan.

Editor’s Note: Breitbart Texas traveled to the Mexican States of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Nuevo León and other areas to recruit citizen journalists willing to risk their lives and expose the cartels silencing their communities. Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles are published in both English and in their original Spanish. This article was written by Jose Luis Lara, a former leading member who helped start the Self-Defense Movement in Michoacán.