Security Forces Capture 'El Garrafón', Boss of the Tláhuac Cartel in Mexico City

“MX” for Borderland Beat

This Wednesday, Mexico City authorities captured a subject identified as Ulises Sanchez Ramirez, also known as “El Garrafón” (The Demijohn or The Water Jug). Investigators say he is the alleged head of the Tláhuac Cartel (Cártel de Tláhuac), a criminal group based in Mexico City.

This 45-year-old man was apprehended by personnel from the Investigation Police (PDI) in the Del Mar Norte neighborhood in Tláhuac municipality (part of the Greater Mexico City area). A vehicle and a 9mm pistol were seized during his arrest. They also seized around 200 grams and 30 doses of cocaine, as well as at least 400 grams of marijuana.

El Garrafon has an extensive criminal background. He was imprisoned in 2003 and 2010 for robbery, kidnapping, and abuse of authority. Every time he was released, El Garrafon resumed his organized crime activities.

El Garrafón’s cartel is competing against La Unión Tepito, arguably Mexico City’s largest criminal group, as well as with another gang known as Los Rodolfos.

Investigators say that the Tlahuac Cartel has a network of corrupt public officials that facilitates illegal activities, such as controlling drug sale spots and conducting robberies and extortions across Mexico City. It mainly operates in the following municipalities: Tláhuac, Xochimilco, Iztapalapa, Coyoacán and Milpa Alta.

El Garrafon became the head of the cartel after the arrest of Diego “El Dieguito”, and José Armando “El Tecámac”, during an operation carried out by Mexico City’s prosecutor’s office on February 25, 2021.

Last year, Borderland Beat published a report identifying at least 40 gangs in the area. Many of these groups are linked to12 main gangs identified in a map presented earlier this month.

Sources: Milenio; Infobae; Heraldo de Mexico; La Silla Rota