CDMX Authorities Disrupt Loan Shark Ring Linked to Colombian Criminal Group

Mexico City authorities have arrested four individuals connected to a criminal group originating from Colombia, involved in illegal lending practices known as “gota a gota” (drop by drop) and other criminal activities. The arrests, carried out in two separate operations, highlight a growing concern over the intersection of loan sharking, drug trafficking, and extortion in the municipalities surrounding Mexico City.

Details of the Arrests

The operations, conducted by the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) in collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office (FGJ), the Navy, Army, and National Guard, targeted individuals operating within a network extending across 12 states in Mexico.

Iztapalapa Raid

The first operation took place in the Federal Air Fave Sedena neighborhood of Iztapalapa. Authorities executed a search warrant at an apartment, discovering 11 bags containing suspected marijuana, a laptop, four cell phones, a notebook with annotations, and 19 advertising cards promoting money loans. Two individuals were arrested: Juan Jeferson N., 21, of Colombian origin, and Ana Luz N., 32.

Benito Juárez Arrests

In a second operation in the Independencia neighborhood of Benito Juárez, Julio N. And Marlyn Dahiana N., also of Colombian origin, were apprehended. A subsequent search revealed 55 bags of suspected marijuana, 63 packages of alleged cocaine, a firearm with three cartridges, three cell phones, and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Criminal Network and Activities

The criminal group is linked to both the “gota a gota” lending scheme and activities such as drug sales and extortion in the municipalities of Coyoacán, Iztapalapa, Tláhuac, Álvaro Obregón, and areas within the State of Mexico (Edomex). The “gota a gota” scheme typically involves offering small loans with exorbitant interest rates, often accompanied by threats and violence when borrowers are unable to repay.

Official Sources

Information regarding these operations has been released by the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana de la CDMX (https://www.ssc.cdmx.gob.mx/) and reported by López-Dóriga Digital.

The SSC CDMX maintains a presence on X (formerly Twitter) at https://x.com/SSC_CDMX, providing updates on security initiatives and operations within the city.