Man accused of killing Perth surfer brothers in Mexico's drug-running ‘hot spot' linked to organised crime, court hears
Two court hearings into the trio's deaths were held back to back in Ensenada in Baja California on Thursday afternoon local time, as it was also revealed they were killed in a ''hot spot'' known for the movement of drugs over the US border.
Callum, 33, and Jake, 30, and Jack Carter Rhoad, 30, were killed while on a surfing trip in the Mexican state of Baja California, an area known to be plagued by violent cartels.
The trio were reported missing on April 27 and their bodies were found on May 3 at the bottom of an unused well.
Initial inquiries determined the surfers were killed execution-style in an armed robbery when they tried to fight back against their truck being stolen.
Four people are expected to be tried for the men's alleged murders last year.
Miguel Ángel Gaxiola Rodríguez, the Mexican prosecutor leading the case against the suspected murderers, said there is still no evidence of cartel involvement, and instead maintains the primary motive for the killings was to steal the brothers' tyres.
However, the court heard the area where the men had been camping before the murder, called La Bocana, is a known "hot spot" for local drug labs and marijuana plantations.
The beach, which is almost two hours from a main road and only accessible by four-wheel-drive, is also reportedly used to transport drugs and migrants across the ocean to the US.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the court also heard the man suspected to be responsible for the trio's murders has a long history with law enforcement, including connections to organised crime and allegedly corrupt Mexican police officers.
Jesús Gerardo, also known as 'El Kekas', Angel Jesús and Ari Gisselle were all arrested soon after the killings, while a fourth man Irineo Francisco was arrested some time later.
The three men who have been charged are being tried on multiple offences including aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto, and forced disappearance.
Ari Gisel faces the same charges, with the exception of forced disappearance.
Gerardo's attorney reportedly requested to join all the charges together on the same indictment to streamline further court processes.
The outcome of the request will be determined at the pre-trial hearing on July 25.
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