Mexican Cartel Hitman Confesses to Incinerating 250 Victims at Jalisco Ranch
A masked assassin for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has confessed to Italian public broadcaster RAI that he personally incinerated 250 bodies at Rancho Izaguirre in Jalisco, Mexico. He claims the cartel executed over 500 people at the site since 2021. The hitman, who earns approximately $220 weekly, provided tips to the Jalisco Search Warriors volunteer group, leading them to discover crematoriums and bone fragments. While the Mexican federal prosecutor’s office dismissed the confession as false, the volunteer group maintains the tips led to significant evidence of mass killings.
Key points
- A CJNG hitman told RAI on Oct. 10 that he incinerated 250 people at Rancho Izaguirre in Teuchitlán, Jalisco.
- The assassin claims the cartel executed over 500 people at the ranch, which has been used since 2021.
- He earns a flat rate of roughly $220 per week, stating that 'a life doesn't cost much' regardless of the number of kills.
- The Jalisco Search Warriors, led by Indira Navarro, received tips from the hitman and found human remains and crematoriums at the site in March 2025.
- The Mexican federal prosecutor’s office (FGR) rejected the hitman’s claims as false, stating forensics covered 92% of the site.
- Navarro disputes the FGR, noting that the hitman’s tips also led to the discovery of over 1,000 body fragments in Ahualulco de Mercado in April 2025.
Background
This incident highlights the ongoing struggle of Mexican families to find missing loved ones amid cartel violence. Previous coverage has noted the rise in cartel-linked violence, including the murder of influencers and the dismantling of cartel-linked crypto farms, indicating the deepening integration of organized crime into various sectors. The Jalisco Search Warriors have been active in locating missing persons since 2023, often uncovering evidence that official authorities initially downplayed.
Why it matters
The confession underscores the scale of extrajudicial killings by cartels in Mexico and the limitations of official forensic investigations. It highlights the role of citizen-led search groups in uncovering mass graves and the tension between federal authorities and grassroots efforts to address disappearances. The hitman's low pay for mass executions also illustrates the industrialized nature of cartel violence.
What to watch
The Jalisco Search Warriors may continue to search for more remains based on the hitman's tips. The Mexican government may face increased pressure to re-examine the forensic findings at Rancho Izaguirre and other sites. The case may also draw international attention to the CJNG's operations and the effectiveness of current anti-cartel strategies.
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