### Ex-police Officer Killed in Rosarito
On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, former municipal officer José Alberto Quiroz González was shot and killed in Playas de Rosarito. The incident occurred around 12:33 PM on Benito Juárez Boulevard in the Independencia neighborhood, where emergency services received a report about a man injured by firearm while driving his vehicle.
Upon arrival, Municipal Police and Red Cross paramedics discovered a black Tiguan SUV with an injured occupant, later identified as José Gilberto Quiroz González, also known as “Quiroz.” Authorities confirmed that he no longer showed signs of life. Quiroz, a former municipal officer, had been previously mentioned in various narcomantas (drug cartel banners) hung along the Tijuana-Rosarito highway.
One of these banners threatened former Mayor Araceli Brown and former Police Director Carlos Meza, with accusations of their alleged connections with the Sinaloa Cartel, including kidnapping, theft, and murder. It warned them to “get their act together” or face more violence.
Internal conflicts within the police force encompass ongoing investigations into Quiroz González and other members or ex-members such as Antonio Jiménez, Fabián Reyes, and sub-commanders Eduardo Ruvalcaba, Eduardo Santiz, Pedro Ángel Moreno, and René Ledezma. Following the murder of officer Erick Ureña in 2021, Quiroz’s name had been brought to light again, linked with several individuals, including the current Public Security Secretary of Playas de Rosarito, Francisco Javier Arellano Ortiz.
This violent crime led to the shutdown of Rosarito’s main avenue, resulting in significant traffic disruptions for several hours.
### Additional Information
**Mexican Cartel Violence Escalates in Northern Baja California**
In recent months, the northern region of Baja California has seen a surge in cartel-related violence. In particular, Playas de Rosarito and Tijuana have been hotspots for these crimes, which are often linked to disputes between rival factions vying for control of drug trafficking routes.
In late August 2024, Tijuana witnessed a significant shootout between presumed members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and local authorities, leaving several dead and injured. This violent confrontation lasted for over an hour, paralyzing the area and prompting a heightened security presence.
Another recent incident in early September saw the discovery of a mass grave near the town of Ensenada, containing the remains of at least ten individuals. This grim find is believed to be connected to the region’s ongoing cartel violence, as forensics teams work to identify the victims and piece together the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Authorities continue to grapple with these challenges and attempt to restore peace in the region. With the public increasingly uneasy, both local and federal governments are under pressure to implement effective measures to curb these violent outbreaks and dismantle the criminal networks at the heart of the conflict.
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