Thirteen years after Detective disappeared in Aguascalientes in 1994, Viñador found this barrel. The hammer hit the rusty metal with a dry sound. Joaquín Herrera wiped the sweat from his forehead as he examined barrel number 47 at the San Rafael winery.

The container had been stored in the darkest corner of the warehouse for 13 years, gathering dust and being forgotten. “Boss, there’s something strange about this barrel,” he shouted toward the main office. His voice echoed among the rows of barrels that housed Aguas Calientes’ finest wine. Don Ramiro Vázquez,

The owner of the cartoon walked briskly through the aisles.
At 60, he had developed a special instinct for detecting problems in his business. What’s going on, Joaquín? Look at this, boss. The barrel is sealed with welding, not using normal methods, and it weighs much more than it should. Don Ramiro looked at the cylindrical container. The welding

The irregular seal around the lid showed amateurish work, completely different from the professional sealing of the other barrels.
When did this barrel arrive? Joaquín consulted his wine-stained notebook. According to my records, it arrived in March 1994. But there’s no record of who brought it or what’s inside. Open it. We need to know what’s inside. The blowtorch cut the metal with orange sparks. The smell of burnt iron mingled

with the sweet aroma of aged wine.
When the lid was closed, a putrid stench filled the air inside the warehouse. Joaquín stepped back, covering his nose. “My God, boss.” Inside the barrel, wrapped in black plastic, were the remains of a man. The decomposed clothing still held fragments of a blue shirt and pants.

The body was covered in denim, but what caught his eye most was the shiny metal plate on the corpse’s chest.
Don Ramiro approached cautiously and read the identification. Detective Raúl Mendoza Vargas, Judicial Police of the State of Aguascalientes. Joaquín, call the police immediately. Don’t touch anything else. The winemaker ran to the office phone while Don Ramiro remained by the barrel.

observing the remains of the missing detective.
She vaguely remembered the newspapers from 1994 reporting on the investigator’s mysterious disappearance. Commander Patricia Ruiz arrived 30 minutes later accompanied by two officers and the medical examiner. Her 15 years of experience in homicides had prepared her for disturbing scenes, but

Finding a missing colleague always generated special emotions. “When was the body discovered?” he asked, putting on latex gloves. “
An hour ago,” Don Ramiro replied. “We were going to check all the old barrels for the warehouse renovation.” Forensic pathologist Dr. Alberto Campos examined the remains with professional care. Based on the state of decomposition and the condition of the barrel, I estimate it’s been here for more than 10 years.”

The identification matched Detective Mendoza. Patricia reviewed her mental files.
She remembered the case of Raúl Mendoza, an honest detective investigating a drug trafficking ring when he disappeared without a trace. His colleagues assumed he had fled with money from organized crime. Dr. Campos, I need you to determine the exact cause of death and any evidence that

can indicate who did this.
“Commander, look at this,” said the coroner, pointing to the back of the skull. Massive blunt force fracture. This man was murdered. Joaquín tentatively approached the group. Commander, I found this among the old papers in the office. He held out a dated, yellowed invoice.

On March 15, 1994, Patricia read the document. Special barrel storage paid in cash. Client: Mario Salinas.
“Do you know Mario Salinas?” the commander asked Don Ramiro. He was my accountant in the 1990s, a very respectable man. He worked with me for 15 years, but suddenly resigned in 1994. Just after the date of this invoice, the commander exchanged glances with Dr. Campos.

The name Mario Salinas also sounded familiar, but he couldn’t pinpoint where it was from. Joaquín, I want you to give me all the records you have from March 1994. Don Ramiro, I need Mario Salinas’s current address and any information you have on him. While the forensic team

Photographing the scene, Patricia called her office to review the Mendoza case files.
Her instinct told her they were about to uncover something much bigger than a simple murder. The metal detector found something else at the bottom of the barrel: a cassette recorder wrapped in airtight plastic. Patricia carefully removed it and verified that it was intact. Doctor

Campos, this could contain crucial evidence.
I need it analyzed in the lab before we play the tape. Don Ramiro watched the entire procedure with growing concern. Commander, does this mean my cartoon was involved in a crime? Does it mean someone used your property to hide evidence, but based on

the records, you had no knowledge of what was in the barrel? The sun was beginning to set behind the hills of Aguas Calientes when they finished processing the scene.
Patricia knew they had in their hands the first thread of a complex skein that had remained hidden for 13 years. Before leaving, she checked Detective Mendoza’s identification badge once more. Raúl had been known for his integrity and his refusal to accept bribes. His

disappearance had left several important cases unsolved, including a drug trafficking investigation involving public officials. Joaquín, I want you to keep this area cordoned off until further notice. No one is to approach without

Police clearance. As she returned to headquarters, Patricia reflected on the implications of the discovery. The murder of an honest detective, hidden for more than a decade, suggested the existence of a conspiracy reaching high levels of corruption. The tape recorder

The information found in the barrel could contain Mendoza’s latest research, possibly including the names of his killers, but it also represented a danger. If powerful people were involved, the case could become
extremely dangerous for all investigators. Upon arriving at her office, Patricia opened the dusty file on Detective Raúl Mendoza Vargas. The photographs showed a 35-year-old married man with two young children. His wife Elena Mendoza had struggled for years to keep him safe.

Long live the search for her husband.
Now Patricia would have to call Elena to inform her that they had finally found Raúl, but that he was dead. It was a conversation no police officer wanted to have, especially after so much time had passed. Commander Patricia Ruiz spread the yellowing files on her desk.

Detective Raúl Mendoza’s file contained hundreds of pages documenting a complex investigation into drug trafficking in Aguascalientes during 1994.
“Agent Morales, I need you to review every page of this file,” he ordered his most trusted subordinate. “Look for any mention of Mario Salinas or connections to the San Rafael cartoon.” Agent Carlos Morales, a 10-year veteran of criminal investigations, began examining the documents.

While Patricia was on her way to interview Elena Mendoza.
Elena’s house was in a modest neighborhood of Aguas Calientes. Thirteen years of uncertainty had left their mark on her face, but she retained the determination of a woman who had never lost hope of finding the truth. “Mrs. Mendoza, I have news about your husband,” Patricia said.

with the delicacy the situation required.
Elena invited the commander into the small room where photographs of Raúl adorned the walls. His children, now adults, were also present to hear the news they had waited more than a decade for. We found Raúl’s body in a vignette on the outskirts of the

city. He was murdered. Elena’s tears were quiet, but intense.
After years of imagining possible scenarios, she finally had a definitive answer. “Who killed him?” asked Miguel, Raúl’s oldest son. “We’re investigating, but I need you to help me by remembering everything you can about the last few days before he disappeared.” Elena wiped her

tears and began to remember. Raúl had been very worried the last few weeks.
He said he had discovered something big, something involving important people. He mentioned specific names. He talked a lot about an accountant named Mario Salinas. He said that man knew more about money laundering than he let on. Patricia took detailed notes as Elena continued.

recounting her husband’s memories.
Raúl had installed a tape recorder in his office because he suspected someone was going through his files. It recorded all their important conversations. What happened to those recordings? We never found them. When Raúl disappeared, his office was emptied by order of the commander of that

Then, Héctor Villalobos.
The name of former Commander Villalobos set off alarm bells in Patricia’s mind. She remembered him abruptly resigning in 1995, a year after Mendoza’s disappearance. Back at headquarters, Patricia met with Agent Morales to review the findings in the file.

“Commander, I found some very interesting information,” Morales reported.
Detective Mendoza was investigating a network that laundered drug money through legitimate businesses, including cartoonists and restaurants. Mario Salinas’s name appears multiple times. According to Mendoza’s reports, Salinas was the accountant for several suspicious businesses.

Including the San Rafael cartoon. Patricia studied the documents.
Mendoza’s investigation had identified a pattern. Large amounts of cash were invested in seemingly legitimate businesses, then transferred to clean bank accounts. Morales searched for current information on Mario Salinas: address, employment, criminal record, everything.

Whatever you can find.
While Morales was working on the computer, Patricia decided to visit the forensic lab office to check on the progress of the analysis of the tape recorder found in the barrel. Dr. Campos had managed to extract the cassette tape without damaging it. Commander, the recording is intact.

It contains approximately 60 minutes of conversations. Have you heard it yet? Only the first few minutes are Detective Mendoza’s voice recounting his investigation.
He mentions specific names and describes suspicious financial transactions. Patricia put on her headphones and heard the clear voice of the murdered detective. March 12, 1994. I have confirmed that Mario Salinas is coordinating money laundering for the Guadalajara Cartel.

Comic strips are the perfect business because they handle large amounts of cash and have long production cycles that justify irregular investments. The recording continued with specific details about transactions, dates, and amounts. Mendoza had meticulously documented each.

aspect of the criminal operation. I’ve also identified corruption within the police force.
Commander Villalobos is receiving monthly payments of 50,000 pesos to ignore certain investigations. Patricia paused the recording. The evidence she had in her hands not only solved Mendoza’s murder, but also exposed a corruption network that had operated for years.

She returned to her office where Morales was waiting for her with updated information on Mario Salinas. Commander Mario Salinas currently lives in León, Guanajuato. He works as an independent accountant and manages the finances of several restaurants and small businesses. His criminal record is completely

Clean, not even traffic tickets. But here’s the interesting part.
In March 1994, Salinas bought a new house for 800,000 pesos, paid entirely in cash. Patricia analyzed the information. An accountant earning maybe 15,000 pesos a month couldn’t buy a house of that value without financing, unless he had additional income.

declared. Morales, I want discreet surveillance of Mario Salinas.
He must not know we’re investigating him until we have sufficient evidence. While organizing the surveillance operation, Patricia received a call that would change the course of the investigation. Commander Ruiz, this is Attorney Joaquín Torres, attorney for the Villalobos family.

My client, former Commander Héctor Villalobos, wishes to provide information on the Mendoza case. Patricia sensed the case was taking on a new dimension. If Villalobos was willing to talk, it meant he knew more than his superiors had admitted.

Officially.
When can you come in to testify tomorrow morning? If that’s okay with you, but my client requires guarantees of protection. He says his life could be in danger. After hanging up, Patricia reflected on the implications. A former prisoner asking for protection to testify about a 13-year-old case

years suggested that there were powerful forces that could still retaliate against witnesses.
That night, Patricia reviewed all the case documents once again. Mendoza’s original investigation had been thorough and professional. His fatal mistake had been trusting the wrong people within the corporation. The pattern was becoming clear. Mendoza had uncovered the network of

money laundering, identified those responsible, and documented police corruption.
Just as he was ready to act, someone eliminated him to protect the operation. Now, 13 years later, Patricia had the opportunity to complete the work Mendoza had started, but she also faced the same dangers that had cost the honest detective his life.

Former Commander Héctor Villalobos arrived at headquarters accompanied by his lawyer and visibly nervous. His 62 years had turned the once imposing officer into a hunched man who constantly stared out the windows. Patricia greeted him in the interview room with a tape recorder.

activated and Agent Morales as a witness.
Former Commander Villalobos is here voluntarily to testify about the case of Detective Raúl Mendoza. Yes, Commander. I’ve carried this weight for 13 years and I can’t take it anymore. Villalobos took a deep breath before beginning his story. In 1994, I was commander of the judicial police.

when Raúl Mendoza began investigating drug trafficking activities. At first, I thought it was a routine investigation.
When it became clear it was something more complex, when Mendoza started mentioning the names of important people, Mario Salinas was just the tip of the iceberg. The network included businessmen, local politicians, and several of my own officers. Patricia took notes as Villalobos continued.

revealing details that had remained hidden for more than a decade. You received money to protect the operation.
Villalobos lowered his head. Yes, they threatened me and my family if I didn’t cooperate. I needed the money because my wife had cancer and the treatments were very expensive. Who threatened him? A man named Gustavo Herrera presented himself as a businessman, but he was the head of the money laundering operation.

money. He had connections to the Guadalajara cartel.
Gustavo Herrera’s name didn’t appear in Mendoza’s files, suggesting that the detective had failed to identify the true leader before he was killed. What happened the night Mendoza disappeared? Villalobos remained silent for several minutes before answering. Mendoza came

to my office with definitive evidence about the network. He had photographs, recordings, bank documents.
He said he was going to arrest Mario Salinas the next day. You betrayed him. I called Gustavo Herrera to warn him, but I never thought they’d kill him. I thought they’d just threaten him to keep him quiet. Patricia felt a mixture of anger and understanding toward the former con man.

His betrayal had cost the life of a good police officer, but he had also been the victim of a corrupt system. Do you know who physically killed Mendoza? Not directly, but Gustavo Herrera had two men who handled the dirty work, the brothers Ricardo and Fernando Soto. After the

After the interview, Patricia immediately ordered a database search for Gustavo Herrera and the Soto brothers. The results were revealing, but troubling.
Gustavo Herrera had died in a car accident in 1998, apparently unrelated to a crime. Ricardo Soto had been killed in 2001 during a prison brawl. Only Fernando Soto was still alive, currently serving a sentence for drug trafficking in the Puente Grande prison.

Morales. We need to interview Fernando Soto in prison. He could be our only direct witness to the murder.
While preparing the visit to the prison, Patricia decided to confront Mario Salinas directly. Surveillance had shown that the accountant was leading a seemingly normal life in León, but his behavior suggested growing nervousness. The trip to León took two hours.

Patricia and Morales found Salinas in his office, a small office in a shopping plaza where he served small local businesses. Mr. Salinas, I’m Commander Patricia Ruiz from Aguascalientes. We need to talk about Detective Raúl Mendoza. Salinas’s face paled.

Immediately. His hands shook as he pretended to search his desk for documents. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Commander.
We found the detective’s body in a barrel you stored at the San Rafael vignette in March 1994.” Salinas collapsed in his chair. 13 years of guilt and fear surfaced in the form of uncontrollable tears. “I wasn’t the one who killed him. I was just paid to get rid of the body.”

Who hired him? Gustavo Herrera. He gave me 200,000 pesos to make the body disappear and 50,000 more to keep my mouth shut. Patricia and Morales exchanged glances. They finally had a straightforward confession about the murder cover-up. How did Mendoza die? I don’t know exactly.

Herrera called me that night saying he had a problem to solve. When I arrived at the scene, the detective was already dead.
Where was that? In an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Aguas Calientes. The Soto brothers were there with the body. Salinas provided specific details about how he had transported the body to the vignette and hidden it in the barrel. His job, as Don Ramiro’s accountant,

had given easy access to the warehouse.
Why did they specifically choose that location? Herrera knew that Don Ramiro was an honest man who would never check sealed barrels. Besides, the vignette had an impeccable reputation. No one would suspect it was being used to hide criminal evidence. Patricia arrested Salinas for accessory after the fact and

Complicity after the fact.
During the transfer back to Aguas Calientes, the accountant continued providing information about the money laundering operation. Commander, there’s something else you should know. The network didn’t end with Gustavo Herrera’s death. His son Miguel Herrera continued the family business. Miguel Herrera

He’s still operating, as far as I know, but he’s more cautious now.
He learned from his father’s mistakes. This revelation completely changed the landscape of the investigation. Patricia wasn’t just solving a 13-year-old case, but uncovering a criminal operation that had evolved and continued to operate for more than a decade.

Back in Aguascalientes, Patricia organized an urgent meeting with her superiors to report on the progress of the case. The information obtained required additional resources and coordination with other agencies to completely dismantle the network. That night, while reviewing all the new

data, Patricia received an anonymous call that put her on high alert.
Commander Ruiz, drop the case of the dead detective or his family will suffer the consequences. The threat confirmed that there were powerful forces willing to protect the secrets buried with Raúl Mendoza, but it also meant that she was on the right path to the full truth. Patricia

He reinforced security around his family and continued the investigation with greater determination.
The murder of a fellow police officer would not go unpunished, no matter how much time had passed or how powerful those responsible were. The next day they would visit Fernando Soto in prison to obtain his direct testimony about the murder. It was the final piece of the puzzle that had

It began 13 years ago in a police station in Aguascalientes.
The Puente Grande prison stood like a concrete fortress under the Jalisco morning sun. Patricia and Morales passed through multiple security checkpoints before arriving at the interview room where Fernando Soto was waiting. The 43-year-old man retained the robust build of a

who had lived a violent life.
His tattoos covered arms marked by knife scars and his eyes showed the distrust typical of veterans of organized crime. Fernando Soto. I’m Commander Patricia Ruiz. I want to talk about what happened to Detective Raúl Mendoza in 1994. Soto remained motionless, assessing

his visitors with the calculated patience of a predator.
What do I gain by talking? A chance to reduce your sentence by providing valuable information about homicide. And what do I lose if I don’t talk? Patricia leaned forward. The chance to get out of this prison alive. We know that you and your brother killed the detective on Gustavo’s orders.

Herrera.
The mention of Herrera’s name provoked an immediate reaction in Soto. His muscles tensed and his eyes narrowed. Gustavo Herrera is dead. My brother Ricardo too. Why should I care about a dead detective? Because Miguel Herrera, Gustavo’s son, is still operating. And when

If we know everything about Mendoza’s death, we’ll also know everything about the current operations.
Soto reflected for several minutes. Finally, his survival prevailed over his criminal loyalty. Gustavo paid my brother and me 100,000 pesos to kill the detective. He said Mendoza was very close to destroying the entire business. How did they kill him? We met him at a winery, telling him

that we had information about Mario Salinas.
When he arrived, my brother Ricardo hit him with an iron bar. He died instantly. Patricia took detailed notes as Soto recounted the events of that fateful night in March 1994. Who else was present? Just the two of us. And Mario Salinas, who arrived later to take the body.

Gustavo stayed away to give himself an alibi.
What else does he know about Miguel Herrera’s operations? Soto smiled maliciously. Miguel is smarter than his father. He changed the operation after we killed the detective. Now he uses different businesses: car dealerships, currency exchanges, jewelry stores. Where does he currently operate? All over the world.

Bajío, Aguascalientes, León, Guadalajara, Querétaro. He has a network of accountants like Mario Salinas in every city.
The information provided by Soto revealed a much more sophisticated operation than Patricia had imagined. Miguel Herrera had learned from the mistakes that cost Mendoza his life and had expanded territorially to reduce risks. He has specific names of other

accountants or collaborators. In León, there’s Mario Salinas; you already know him.
In Guadalajara, a woman named Rosa Delgado manages the jewelry stores. In Querétaro, a man named Sergio Rueda has several dealerships. Patricia wrote down each name. The network was extensive and had operated with impunity for 13 years, protected by the enforced silence surrounding the murder of

Mendoza.
Miguel Herrera still has police protection, I don’t know specifically, but he hasn’t been arrested in all these years. He must have something going on. After the interview, Patricia and Morales returned to Aguascalientes with enough information to request search warrants and multiple arrests, but

They also knew they were facing an organization with considerable resources and possible official protection.
At headquarters, Patricia met with the state prosecutor to present her findings and request additional resources. The magnitude of the case required coordination with federal authorities. Prosecutor, we have solid evidence that Detective Mendoza’s murder was ordered to

Protect a money laundering network that continues to operate today.
Attorney General Miguel Fernández reviewed the documents with a serious expression. The involvement of multiple states complicated the jurisdiction and required special protocols. Commander, this requires coordination with the PGR, but in the meantime, they can proceed with local investigations. Patricia

He organized surveillance teams for Rosa Delgado in Guadalajara and Sergio Rueda in Querétaro, while maintaining surveillance on Mario Salinas in León.
The goal was to document current operations before proceeding with arrests. That afternoon, he received a call that changed the dynamics of the entire investigation. Commander Ruiz, this is Elena Mendoza. Someone broke into my house last night. They didn’t take anything, but they left a photo of my husband.

with a red cross over it.
Patricia immediately ordered police protection for Elena and her children. The threats were escalating, indicating that they had touched sensitive nerves in the criminal organization. Elena, I want you and your family to temporarily move to a safe house. These people have already killed your

husband and won’t hesitate to hurt her family.
While arranging protection for the Mendozas, Patricia reflected on the implications of the threat. Someone with access to privileged information knew exactly which families to pressure. To stop the investigation. Agent Morales arrived with disturbing news of the operation.

Surveillance. Commander, Rosa Delgado has disappeared in Guadalajara. Her neighbors say she left last night with luggage.
The same thing happened with Sergio Rueda in Querétaro. Patricia realized the organization had been alerted about the investigation. Someone within the system was leaking information, exactly as had happened 13 years ago with Mendoza. Morales, we need to speed up everything. If they’re on the run,

It means they know we’re close. That night, Patricia decided to take drastic measures.
She contacted Miguel Herrera directly using information obtained from Fernando Soto. Mr. Herrera, this is Commander Patricia Ruiz. We need to talk about your father and Detective Mendoza. The voice on the other end of the line was cold and calculated. I don’t know what you’re talking about, Commander. Your father ordered

the murder of Raúl Mendoza in 1994.
We have direct testimony from the killers. My father died 9 years ago. If anyone told you anything about him, they’re probably lying. And what about your current money-laundering network? There was a long pause before Miguel answered. Commander, I think you’re confused, but if

wants to talk, we can meet tomorrow. I’ll choose the place.
Patricia knew it was a trap, but it also represented an opportunity to directly confront the organization’s leader. It was exactly the kind of risky decision that had cost Mendoza his life, but also the only way to obtain complete justice. I agreed to meet, but

in a public place with witnesses. Perfect. I’ll expect you tomorrow at 2 p.m. at La Hacienda restaurant in downtown Aguascalientes. Come alone.
After hanging up, Patricia organized a surveillance operation around the restaurant. If Miguel Herrera was thinking of eliminating another honest detective, he would be in for a nasty surprise. La Hacienda restaurant was bustling with typical midday activity when Patricia punctually arrived at

At 2 p.m., she had coordinated a discreet surveillance operation with eight agents strategically positioned around the establishment. Miguel Herrera was waiting for her at a corner table, dressed in an elegant suit and
possessing the confidence of a man accustomed to power. At 40, he retained the charisma inherited from his father, but with a sophistication that made him even more dangerous. Commander Ruiz, I appreciate you coming. Allow me to be blunt. Your investigation is interfering with legitimate business.

Patricia sat across from him, maintaining constant eye contact.
Mr. Herrera, let’s talk about your definition of legitimate. It includes the murder of police officers. My father built an honest business empire. If some people made bad decisions, that’s not my responsibility. And the decisions you’re currently making are all honest. Miguel smiled.

coldly.
Commander, I run car dealerships, jewelry stores, and currency exchanges, all completely legal and registered with the Treasury. Patricia knew she was being recorded, so she chose her words carefully to elicit incriminating confessions. What happened to Rosa Delgado and Sergio?

Rueda? They disappeared just as we began investigating them.
I have no idea who those people are. They were working for you, laundering money, just as Mario Salinas worked for your father. Miguel’s expression hardened. Commander, you’re making very serious accusations, without evidence. I have Fernando Soto’s testimony about the murder of

Detective Mendoza. I also have Mario Salinas’s confession about the cover-up.
Miguel sipped slowly from his glass of wine before answering. Soto is a criminal who would do anything to reduce his sentence. Salinas is a desperate accountant who would make up stories to save his own life. And the recording Mendoza made before he died is also fabricated.

For the first time, Miguel showed genuine surprise. He clearly had no idea about the recording found in the barrel. What recording? Raúl Mendoza documented his entire investigation, including names, dates, and transactions. Everything is recorded in his voice.

Miguel remained silent for several minutes, calculating the implications of this new information. Commander, assuming such a recording exists, it would be more than 13 years old. What relevance could it have to current investigations? The relevance is that it describes exactly the methods that

You keep using it. The names change, but the patterns are identical. The conversation was interrupted by a young man who approached the table and whispered something in Miguel’s ear.
His expression immediately changed to concern. Commander, there seems to be a misunderstanding. My business is being searched by federal authorities at this time. Patricia smiled inwardly. Her request for federal support had yielded results faster than expected. There’s no misunderstanding.

Miguel.
It’s a coordinated investigation into money laundering and murder. Miguel abruptly stood up from the table. This conversation is over. I hope you have solid evidence to back up your actions, because my lawyers will be very busy suing for police harassment. Sit down, Mr. Herrera.

I have a warrant for your arrest.
Patricia showed the legal documentation as plainclothes officers discreetly approached the table. Miguel evaluated his options and apparently decided to cooperate temporarily. Under what charges? Conspiracy to commit homicide, money laundering, and operating a criminal enterprise.

continued. During the transfer to police headquarters, Miguel remained completely silent.
His lawyer, Ricardo Vega, arrived 30 minutes after the arrest. In the interrogation room, Vega demanded to see all the evidence before allowing his client to answer questions. Patricia methodically presented each piece of evidence. Fernando Soto’s testimony,

Salinas’ confession, Villalobos’ statement, Mendoza’s recording, and the bank documents seized during the searches.
Attorney, your client directed a criminal operation that resulted in the murder of a detective and has continued operating for 13 years. Vega carefully reviewed each document before consulting privately with Miguel. After an hour of deliberation, they returned with a proposal.

Unexpected. My client is willing to provide information about larger operations in exchange for sentencing considerations.
Patricia exchanged glances with the prosecutor, who had arrived to personally oversee the high-profile interrogation. What kind of information? Miguel spoke for the first time since his arrest. Commander, my operation is small compared to what’s really going on.

If you want real justice for Detective Mendoza’s death, you need to know who else was involved. Explain yourself. The detective wasn’t killed just for uncovering money laundering. He was investigating arms trafficking to the United States. That operation involved federal officials.

both countries. This revelation completely changed the perspective of the case.
Patricia had assumed Mendoza died because of a local investigation, but apparently she had discovered something of international scope. Who were the officials involved? Some are already dead, others are still in positions of power, but if I cooperate fully, I need guarantees of

Federal protection.
The prosecutor intervened. Mr. Herrera, we first need to verify the veracity of your information before discussing any agreement. Miguel provided specific names, dates, locations, and methods used in the arms trafficking.
His information was detailed and verifiable, suggesting that he did indeed know more than he had initially admitted. Detective Mendoza had identified specific smuggling routes and correlated money movements with arms shipments, which is why he had to die. Patricia

He pondered the implications. If Miguel was telling the truth, Mendoza’s assassination had been ordered by a conspiracy that reached much higher levels of the government and crossed international borders.
Do you have documents or physical evidence of these operations? My father kept files as life insurance. When he died, I inherited that information. If I cooperate fully, I can give you specific locations where those documents are hidden. The interrogation session extended until

Late at night.
Patricia realized she had only scratched the surface of a conspiracy involving organized crime, government corruption, and international arms trafficking. Detective Raúl Mendoza’s case had evolved from a local murder to a national security investigation, but

It also meant that Patricia and her team faced much greater danger than they had originally anticipated.
Early morning found Patricia reviewing classified files in a temporary PGR office in Aguascalientes. The information provided by Miguel Herrera had triggered national security protocols that required coordination with U.S. authorities. The federal agent

Salvador Mendoza, no relation to the murdered detective, had arrived from Mexico City to oversee the international expansion of the case.
Commander Ruiz, the names Herrera provided coincide with an investigation we’ve kept on hold for 15 years. Due to a lack of solid evidence, Patricia studied federal files that revealed an arms trafficking network operating from Mexico to the United States.

using established drug trafficking routes, but with official protection from both governments.
Had Detective Mendoza really identified this entire operation? According to Herrera’s information, yes, but he apparently didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of what Agent Mendoza had discovered. He showed aerial photographs of properties in Sonora where the

They stored weapons destined for smuggling.
The images dated back to 1994, exactly when Raúl Mendoza was conducting his investigation. Herrera says his father had complete files on these operations hidden in a safe in Guadalajara. If true, we would have definitive evidence. Patricia coordinated a joint operation.

to recover the files while keeping Miguel Herrera under federal protection.
His cooperation had proven genuine, but it also made him a target for elimination by his former partners. The trip to Guadalajara required maximum security measures. Patricia, Agent Mendoza, and a team of federal specialists escorted Miguel to a house

elegant house in the hills of the Valley, where Gustavo Herrera had lived before his death.
“The safe is behind a false wall in the basement,” Miguel explained as he led the group through the abandoned house. The technical team located the hidden safe exactly where Miguel had indicated. It contained hundreds of documents, photographs, recordings, and financial records that

Meticulously documented arms trafficking operations during the 1990s.
Patricia examined photographs showing U.S. officials delivering boxes of rifles and pistols to Mexican representatives at border locations. The faces were clearly identifiable, and the dates corresponded exactly with Mendoza’s investigations. Agent Mendoza,

This is evidence of treason and conspiracy at the highest level and explains why Detective Mendoza was killed.
He had not only uncovered local money laundering, but also an arms operation that compromised officials from both governments. Among the documents, they found copies of reports that Raúl Mendoza had sent to his superiors days before his death. The reports detailed specific routes,

Names of officials involved and schedules of arms shipments.
Miguel, his father, knew that Mendoza had identified the arms operation. Only after he was murdered did my father think he was killed for money laundering, but he later discovered Mendoza knew much more. Patricia found documents that revealed the true reason for the death.

Gustavo Herrera’s premature death in 1998. It was not an accident, but an assassination ordered by U.S. officials who feared Herrera would reveal his involvement in arms trafficking.
Who ordered his father’s death? Miguel produced correspondence between Gustavo Herrera and an American official named James Richardson. The letters documented escalating threats as Herrera demanded greater compensation for his silence. Richardson worked for an agency that

officially didn’t exist. My father met him during the weapons operations in 1995.
Agent Mendoza immediately contacted his superiors in Washington to verify Richardson’s identity. The response came two hours later. James Richardson had been an undercover CIA agent who had died in Bosnia in 1999. If Richardson is dead, who continues?

Protecting this operation? Miguel provided additional names of officials who had replaced Richardson after his death.
The network had evolved, but maintained the same basic structure of mutual official protection. Patricia understood that they were facing a conspiracy that transcended government administrations and had operated for decades. The murder of Detective Mendoza had been just a

small part of a massive cover-up. Miguel, what else do you know about the current operations? After September 11, the weapons operations intensified using anti-terrorist justifications.
Now they move not only rifles, but advanced military equipment. Gustavo Herrera’s documents included contracts signed between fake Mexican companies and real American contractors. The operations had generated hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal profits for more than

Two decades. Patricia reflected on the implications for her original investigation.
It had begun by trying to solve the murder of a local detective and had ended by uncovering an international arms conspiracy involving the highest levels of government. Agent Mendoza, what happens now with all this? The evidence we found today will be classified at the

national security, but we can use parts of it to prosecute those locally responsible for Mendoza’s murder. Patricia felt a mixture of satisfaction and frustration.
They had solved the case of the murdered detective, but the true architects of the conspiracy would probably never face public justice. That night, while returning to Aguascalientes with Gustavo Herrera’s files, Patricia received a call that would once again change the

Case management.
Commander Ruiz, this is Elena Mendoza. I found something in my husband’s belongings that he’d kept all these years. I think you need to see it immediately. What did Elena find? A backup copy of all his investigations. Raúl hid it in our house in case something happened to him. It contains

information that wasn’t in his official files. Patricia felt a new surge of hope.
If Raúl Mendoza had created a personal security file, it might contain evidence even more devastating than Gustavo Herrera’s documents. The investigation was about to reveal its final secret 13 years after it began with the death of an honest detective who had

discovered too much about his own government’s secret operations.
Elena Mendoza welcomed Patricia into her home with trembling hands. The box she had found contained not only documents, but also photographs, maps, and a second tape recorder that Raúl had kept secret during his investigations. I found it behind a loose board in the attic.

Raúl told me that if something happened to him, I should wait several years before looking for this. I think he knew they were going to kill him. Patricia examined the contents with growing astonishment. Raúl Mendoza had been more meticulous than anyone imagined. His personal files contained photographs of officials.

Americans on Mexican territory, recordings of intercepted telephone conversations, and detailed maps of smuggling routes.
Elena Raúl told him something specific about these investigations, only that she had discovered something that went beyond drug trafficking. She said it involved the U.S. government selling weapons to Mexican cartels.
The personal recorder contained conversations Raúl had had with informants on the U.S. side of the border. The voices described coordinated operations between official agencies of both countries to facilitate arms trafficking that would later be used to justify

military interventions. Patricia realized she had in her hands evidence that could destabilize diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States. But it was also the key to obtaining full justice for the murder of Raúl Mendoza.

While she was reviewing the documents, her phone began to ring incessantly. Agent Mendoza was contacting her with extreme urgency. Commander Ruiz, we have a serious problem. Miguel Herrera was found dead in his protective cell an hour ago. Patricia felt the case falling apart.

Miguel had been their main witness, and his death eliminated the possibility of additional testimony about the conspiracy. How did he die? Apparently suicide, but the circumstances are extremely suspicious. He left a note confessing to all the crimes and exonerating officials.

Americans.
Does anyone else know about the files we found yesterday? Only us and the federal technicians. But Miguel mentioned other names during his interrogation. It’s possible someone decided to eliminate him before he revealed more information. Patricia understood that she and Elena were now

in extreme danger.
Raúl’s personal files contained even more compromising information than Gustavo Herrera’s documents. Elena, we need to get out of here immediately. His life is in danger. As they quickly packed Raúl’s files, Patricia noticed suspicious vehicles parked in

both ends of the street.
Its occupants were watching the house with professional attention. Elena, we’re going out the back door. My car is parked on Parallel Street. But when they reached the backyard, they found two armed men blocking their escape. Patricia immediately recognized the type of

Operation.
Witness elimination under the guise of a robbery. “Commander Ruiz, hand over the documents and no one will get hurt,” one of the men said with an American accent. Patricia assessed her options. She was armed, but faced multiple attackers in a tactically unfavorable situation.

The priority was to protect Elena and preserve the evidence.
Who sent them? People who prefer to keep certain secrets buried, just like Detective Mendoza. At that moment, Patricia heard sirens approaching. Agent Mendoza had sent reinforcements when he lost contact with her for several minutes. The attackers exchanged glances and

Apparently, they decided to retreat rather than face a confrontation with federal authorities.
They disappeared through the back wall with the efficiency of seasoned professionals. Patricia and Elena were immediately taken to a federal safe house while experts analyzed Raúl’s personal files. The information contained confirmed everything Miguel Herrera had said.

revealed, but added specific details about current U.S. officials.
Commander, these files prove that arms trafficking not only continued after Mendoza’s death, but expanded significantly after 9/11. Agent Mendoza showed photographs dated 2002 documenting deliveries of U.S. military equipment to

Mexican paramilitary groups. The faces in the photographs included officials who currently held important positions in Washington.
What do we do with this information? Officially, it will be classified indefinitely. Unofficially, we can use specific parts to prosecute those locally responsible for the murder. Patricia felt frustrated by the political limitations of the investigation. They had uncovered a

massive conspiracy, but they could only prosecute the lowest-level perpetrators.
That night, while Elena slept under federal protection, Patricia received a call from the Attorney General. Commander Ruiz, your investigation has been transferred to federal jurisdiction for reasons of national security. You will remain involved in local aspects of the case.

What does that mean exactly? It means they can prosecute Mario Salinas, Fernando Soto, and other local accomplices, but the international aspects of the case will be handled discreetly through diplomatic channels. Patricia understood that she was receiving the same limitation she had

thwarted Raúl Mendoza 13 years earlier. The difference was that now she fully understood the magnitude of the conspiracy that had cost the detective his life.
The next day, Patricia returned to Aguascalientes to continue the local prosecutions. Mario Salinas was sentenced to 20 years for complicity in homicide. Fernando Soto received a life sentence for first-degree murder. But the true architects of the conspiracy

They remained free, protected by considerations of national security and diplomatic relations.
Patricia visited Raúl Mendoza’s grave to inform him that his case had finally been solved, although complete justice remained elusive. The detective had died for uncovering truths that his own government preferred to keep hidden. The investigation had lasted 13 years.

solved, but it had confirmed that some conspiracies are too large to be fully exposed, no matter how much evidence is found or how many witnesses are willing to talk.
Courtroom number three in Aguascalientes was filled with anticipation as Judge Eduardo Morales reviewed the files of the most complex case of his judicial career. Patricia occupied the prosecution table next to federal prosecutor Ricardo Hernández, facing a team of

defense attorneys representing the last living accomplices in the murder of Raúl Mendoza.
Mario Salinas, dressed in prison fatigues, watched nervously as his lawyer organized last-minute documents. Beside him, Fernando Soto maintained the impassive expression of someone who had accepted his fate from the moment of his confession. The session for the trial for the

murder of Detective Raúl Mendoza Vargas occurred on March 15, 1994, announced Judge Morales.
Prosecutor Hernández methodically presented the evidence accumulated during months of investigation. The recording found in the barrel reproduced Mendoza’s clear voice documenting his final discoveries.
Members of the jury, the voice you just heard belongs to an honest detective who died for doing his job. His murder was ordered to protect a criminal network that operated with impunity. Patricia testified for two hours describing every detail of the investigative process that had

It began with the accidental discovery of the barrel in the San Rafael neighborhood. Detective Mendoza wasn’t just investigating local money laundering; he had uncovered a conspiracy that reached the highest levels of government and extended all the way to the United States.

Salinas’s defense argued that his client had been the victim of circumstance and death threats. Mario Salinas was a small-time accountant who was forced to participate in the cover-up under threat of violence against his family. His cooperation with authorities demonstrates remorse.

genuine.
But when Salinas took the stand for his final testimony, his words revealed the true extent of his involvement. I knew exactly what I was doing when I helped hide the detective’s body. Gustavo Herrera paid me 200,000 pesos, more money than I had ever seen in my life.

life. Did I feel any remorse for participating in the cover-up of a murder? Salinas remained silent for several minutes before answering with brutal honesty. Not at that moment.
All I was thinking about was money and keeping my business running. Remorse came years later when I realized I had helped kill a good man. Fernando Soto was more direct in his testimony. Without showing emotion, he described exactly how he and his brother had murdered

Mendoza in the abandoned warehouse. The detective arrived, confident that we had information for his investigation.
My brother Ricardo hit him from behind with an iron bar. He died immediately. Did you feel any remorse at that moment? No, we were professional criminals. Killing was part of the job. And now, Soto reflected before answering. Now I understand that we killed a man who only wanted to

to bring justice. If I could change the past, I would.
The most emotional testimony came when Elena Mendoza took the stand to speak about the impact of the murder on her family. For 13 years, I lived without knowing what had happened to my husband. My children grew up thinking their father had abandoned them. The truth is painful, but at least now

We can grieve appropriately.
Elena described the years of fruitless searching, the sleepless nights, and the constant hope that Raúl would turn up alive. My husband was an honest man who believed in justice. He died because he refused to turn a blind eye to corruption. His death must not be in vain. The most tense moment of the

trial came when Patricia presented evidence about the international conspiracy that motivated the murder.
Jurors, Detective Mendoza was killed not only for investigating money laundering, but for uncovering arms trafficking that implicated officials of both governments. The defense immediately objected. Your Honor, these allegations of international conspiracies are not

relevant to the specific murder case. Judge Morales sustained the objection, limiting the testimony to the local aspects of the crime.
Patricia understood that the larger truths would remain officially hidden. In his closing arguments, Prosecutor Hernandez summarized the evidence devastatingly. This case represents more than the murder of a detective; it represents a direct attack on justice and the rule of law.

law. The defendants chose to protect criminals rather than society.
Soto’s defense did not attempt to deny guilt, but rather to appeal based on the circumstances. Fernando Soto has fully confessed his involvement and provided valuable information to resolve this case. His cooperation deserves consideration in sentencing. The jury deliberated

for 6 hours before returning with unanimous verdicts.
In the case of the State against Mario Salinas for aiding and abetting murder and criminal concealment, we find the defendant guilty on all counts. In the case of the State against Fernando Soto for first-degree murder, we find the defendant guilty. The sentences were pronounced

A week later, Mario Salinas received 25 years in prison.
Fernando Soto was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. After the trial, Patricia met privately with Elena Mendoza in the halls of the courthouse. Elena, we finally have justice for Raúl, even if it’s not the whole story. Commander, you have done the

that many others couldn’t or wouldn’t do. My husband can rest in peace, knowing that his killers paid for their crime.
Patricia reflected on the limits of the justice they had faced. They had successfully prosecuted the local perpetrators, but the real planners remained protected by political considerations. Raúl’s work was not in vain.

Her investigation eventually led to the dismantling of the money laundering network, although it took 13 years to complete. That night, Patricia visited Raúl Mendoza’s grave to personally inform him that his case had been closed. The simple headstone bore the inscription: Detective Raúl

Mendoza Vargas died in service to justice. The investigation had confirmed that some government secrets are too sensitive to be fully disclosed, but it had also shown that persistence and integrity eventually prevail over corruption and cover-up.

Three months after the trial, Patricia
received an unexpected call from federal agent Mendoza. The repercussions of the case had reached Washington, generating an internal investigation that was revealing even deeper connections. Commander Ruiz, we need to meet urgently. New developments have emerged that

change everything we thought about the case.
Patricia headed to the federal offices in Mexico City, where she found a team of international investigators working in coordination with U.S. authorities. Detective Mendoza’s case had triggered a massive cleanup of covert operations. Commander, the

“Raúl Mendoza’s files contained information that correlates with investigations we’ve kept classified for years,” Agent Mendoza explained.
Patricia reviewed documents that showed how Mendoza’s murder had been part of a systematic pattern of eliminating investigators who got too close to sensitive arms trafficking operations. How many other detectives were killed for the same reasons? At least 12

Similar cases between 1992 and 2001.
All honest investigators who had identified aspects of the arms operations. The magnitude of the conspiracy surpassed what Patricia had imagined. It wasn’t just the murder of a detective, but a systematic campaign to protect operations that generated millions.

of dollars in illicit profits.
Agent Mendoza showed photographs of U.S. officials who had been quietly arrested in recent weeks. Their faces appeared in Raúl Mendoza’s files, confirming their direct involvement in the trafficking operations. James Richardson did not die in

Bosnia, as we officially reported.
He was eliminated by his own superiors when he demanded greater compensation for his silence. Patricia understood that Mendoza’s murder had been ordered not only by Mexican criminals, but by US officials who feared exposure of their operations. Why are they targeting me?

Telling this now? Because we need her testimony for additional prosecutions. The investigation has expanded to include international treason and conspiracy.
Over the next few weeks, Patricia testified before grand juries in both countries, providing evidence she had collected during her investigation into Mendoza’s murder. The resulting prosecutions were conducted in secret for national security reasons, but resulted in

Multiple convictions of high-level officials in both governments.
Elena Mendoza was privately briefed on the true extent of the conspiracy that had cost her husband his life. Elena Raúl not only uncovered local money laundering. Her investigation had identified an international arms trafficking network operating with official protection.

Does that mean my husband died for something even bigger than we thought? It means his death potentially saved thousands of lives by exposing operations that were arming criminal groups on both sides of the border. The revelation changed Elena’s perspective on the

sacrifice of her husband.
Raúl had not died just for doing his job as a local detective, but for uncovering a conspiracy that threatened the security of both countries. Don Ramiro Vázquez, owner of the San Rafael cartoonist, was completely exonerated of any criminal involvement. His property had been

used without his knowledge to hide evidence, but he had fully cooperated with the investigation.
Don Ramiro, his cartoonist, was the victim of criminals who abused his trust and reputation, Patricia explained. His cooperation was instrumental in solving the case. The San Rafael cartoon eventually became a memorial for victims of organized crime with a special plaque honoring the

The memory of Detective Raúl Mendoza Vargas.
Mendoza’s personal files were deposited in a police history museum, available to future researchers studying the fight against organized crime and government corruption. Patricia was promoted to regional coordinator of special investigations with

specific responsibility for cases involving official corruption and international connections.
During a private ceremony, the Attorney General presented Patricia with a Medal of Valor for her work in the Mendoza case. Commander Ruiz, your persistence and integrity have honored the memory of a fallen colleague and have contributed significantly to national security. Patricia accepted the

recognition on behalf of all the investigators who had participated in the case, but especially in memory of Detective Raúl Mendoza.
Joaquín Herrera, the winemaker who had originally found the barrel, was recognized as an exemplary citizen for his cooperation with the authorities. His chance discovery had triggered an investigation that changed the history of organized crime in Mexico. The case established

legal precedents for future investigations of international conspiracy and arms trafficking.
The methods developed by Patricia and her team became standards for similar cases. Six months after the trial, Patricia received information that Fernando Soto had been found dead in his cell. Officially, it was reported as a suicide, but Patricia suspected he had

been eliminated to prevent further revelations.
Soto’s death was the final reminder that some truths remain dangerous, even after successful prosecutions. The forces that had ordered Mendoza’s murder retained enough power to eliminate inconvenient witnesses. Patricia maintained regular contact with

Elena Mendoza, who had established a foundation to support the families of officers killed in the line of duty.
Commander, Raúl’s death finally has its full meaning. Your investigation changed the way both countries handle arms trafficking. The investigation into the Mendoza case had taken 13 years to complete, but its repercussions would continue for decades.

She had exposed the reality that some government operations transcend national borders and require international cooperation to be fully exposed. A year after the main prosecutions, Patricia found herself in the municipal cemetery of Aguascalientes,

next to the renovated grave of Detective Raúl Mendoza Vargas.
The original headstone had been replaced with a monument honoring his sacrifice and describing his contribution to international justice. Elena Mendoza had organized a memorial service that included relatives of other detectives killed during the covert operations of the

1990s. The investigation had revealed a systematic network of elimination of honest investigators who threatened protected criminal interests.
“Raúl died doing the right thing, but he didn’t die in vain,” Elena said as she placed fresh flowers on the grave. His investigation saved lives and exposed the truth about operations that should never have existed. Miguel, Raúl’s eldest son, was now studying criminology, inspired by Raúl’s work.

his father. His sister Carmen had decided to study international law to continue the fight against cross-border corruption.
Patricia had maintained close contact with the Mendoza family, becoming a maternal figure to the murdered detective’s children. Her investigation had restored Raúl’s reputation and provided the emotional closure the family had needed for 13 years. Commander

“Patricia, thanks to you, my father can finally rest in peace,” Miguel said during the ceremony. Your perseverance completed the work he had begun.
The ceremony included representatives from both governments who had participated in the international prosecutions resulting from the case. The U.S. ambassador to Mexico gave a speech acknowledging past mistakes and committing to greater transparency in future operations.

Detective Mendoza died serving principles of justice that transcend national borders. His sacrifice has resulted in reforms that will benefit the security of both countries for generations. Don Ramiro Vázquez had transformed his cartoon into a training center for young people in

risk, providing legitimate alternatives to organized crime.
The warehouse where the barrel was found had been converted into a classroom where police history and professional ethics were taught. Detective Mendoza never met my cartoon personally, but his case transformed it into a place of hope, rather than a site of tragedy,” explained Don Ramiro.

during the ceremony. Joaquín Herrera, the winemaker whose discovery had started the entire investigation, was recognized as a civilian hero.
His willingness to report the suspicious find had demonstrated the importance of responsible citizens in the fight against crime. “I only did what any honest person would have done,” Joaquín said, “But I’m glad to know that my decision helped bring justice to the detective and his family.”

family.” Patricia reflected on the institutional changes the case had brought about.
New protocols required international oversight for covert operations involving multiple countries. Interagency cooperation had improved significantly, reducing opportunities for criminal conspiracy. The Mendoza case had become required reading in

Police academies in both countries, teaching future investigators about the dangers of corruption and the importance of professional integrity. Patricia had received multiple offers to write a book about the investigation, but
had declined out of respect for aspects of the case that remained classified. However, she had collaborated on educational documentaries that explained investigative techniques without compromising sensitive information. The international prosecutions had resulted in legislative reforms that

Strengthened protections for investigators uncovering government and legal transactions.
The Mendoza Protocol established specific procedures to protect detectives investigating official conspiracy. Mario Salinas had fully cooperated from prison, providing additional information that had resulted in secondary prosecutions of other involved accountants.

in money laundering.
His sentence had been reduced to 20 years for his exceptional cooperation. Former Commander Hector Villalobos had died of natural causes six months after his testimony, taking with him additional secrets about corruption from the 1990s. His confession had been crucial in establishing the

A complete chronology of the events leading up to Mendoza’s murder.
Patricia had been invited to teach at the National Police Academy, sharing her expertise with new generations of investigators. Her courses on conspiracy investigation had become the most popular in the academic program.

Detective Mendoza’s death teaches us that justice sometimes takes decades to complete, but we should never give up on seeking the truth, she told her students. Elena Mendoza had established the Raúl Mendoza Foundation to support the families of officers killed in the line of duty.

of duty. The organization provided legal assistance, psychological support, and educational resources for children of fallen officers.
The foundation also maintained an archive of unsolved cases, continuing investigations that had been abandoned due to lack of resources or political pressure. Several cold cases had been solved using techniques developed during the Mendoza investigation. 5 years after the

Following the discovery of the barrel, Patricia visited the San Rafael vineyard to participate in the annual ceremony commemorating the resolution of the case.
The event had grown to include family members of organized crime victims from across the region. Detective Raúl Mendoza represents all the officers who have died defending justice against superior forces, Patricia said during her keynote address.

Their example inspires us to continue fighting no matter how powerful our adversaries are. Research had shown that persistence and integrity eventually prevail over corruption, even if the process may take years or decades. The Mendoza case had become

A symbol of hope for investigators facing official conspiracy. The complete case files were finally declassified 10 years later, allowing public access to most of the information gathered during the investigation. Transparency had strengthened the

Public confidence in justice institutions. Patricia concluded her career as the national director of special investigations, overseeing similar cases across the country. Her methodology had been adopted internationally as a standard for investigating transnational conspiracies.

In her retirement speech, Patricia honored the memory of Raúl Mendoza and all the investigators who had sacrificed their lives in the service of justice. Detective Mendoza died uncovering the truth. But his death was not in vain. His investigation changed the way we fight crime.

organized crime and we protect those who serve justice.
The case that had begun with the chance discovery of a buried barrel had evolved into a milestone in international cooperation against organized crime. Raúl Mendoza’s death had finally been avenged, not only through criminal prosecutions, but

Through systemic reforms that would protect future investigators. Thirteen years after his murder, Detective Raúl Mendoza Vargas had obtained the full justice he deserved, and his legacy would continue to protect the integrity of justice institutions for generations to come.