Mexican Armed Forces
An anonymous source from the Mexican Armed Forces confirmed that Hoo Ramírez was recruited by the Sinaloa Cartel, a Mexican drug trafficking organization, shortly after its leader Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán escaped from prison on 19 January 2001. Guzmán had a preference for recruiting former members of the Mexican Armed Forces; given Hoo Ramírez's military background, he was an ideal candidate for the drug lord's repertoire, and quickly rose in the cartel's ranks as one of the men in his inner circle. By 2010–2011, Hoo Ramírez grew closer to Guzmán and started to gain his trust. He was considered well-versed with high-tech, and was the alleged communication's chief of Guzmán. During his three years on the job, Hoo Ramírez became one of Guzmán's most trusted lieutenants, and worked as his personal assistant and bodyguard.