Patricia Ramírez, the director of Human Rights in the municipality of Romita, Guanajuato, has been detained due to her alleged involvement in what is reported to be the largest cannabis plantation discovered in Guanajuato in recent years. The arrest followed an operation by the state’s Attorney General's Office, which uncovered a greenhouse in Romita containing over 6,000 cannabis plants of varying sizes, including some as tall as 2.5 meters.
The state’s Attorney General, Gerardo Vázquez Alatriste, noted that this seizure is unprecedented in the state, with more than two tons of cannabis plants confiscated and subsequently destroyed in a public event organized by the Attorney General's Office. The facility featured six production tunnels and had infrastructure designed to maintain optimal growth conditions for the plants.
The operation involved elements from the Attorney General's Office as well as support from the Mexican Army, which assisted in securing the perimeter and eradicating the plantation. Vázquez Alatriste did not divulge details about additional arrests but mentioned that the case had been handed over to the Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR) due to the nature of the federal offenses involved.
Shortly after her arrest, the municipal government of Romita confirmed Ramírez's detention, stating she had been working under the administration of the PAN party's Pedro Tanamachi. In a press release, the municipality noted it would refrain from speculating about her potential culpability as the investigation is ongoing. The administration further stated that it would adhere to applicable regulations and due process concerning her employment status moving forward.
The discovery of the greenhouse has sparked a federal investigation aimed at determining the operators of the production facility and the intended distribution of the marijuana.