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Convicted of DEA Agent's Murder Caro Quintero Ordered Released Posted: 10 Aug 2013 05:10 AM PDT by Chivis Martínez for Borderland Beat  Federal District-After 28 years of being in prison , a federal court in Guadalajara acquitted and ordered the release of Rafael Caro Quintero, one of the historical leaders of drug trafficking in Mexico. (photo below from 2005)  The legal finding focused on the fact that agent Camarena did not hold a diplomatic or consular status necessary to litigate the case in federal court. Court officials court notified its decision to the Second Unit Court of Jalisco, they in turn issued the order of release in favor of drug trafficker. At the federal level and there is no new case against Caro Quintero, because all processes accumulated in a single file, the same one that has just been acquitted. Therefore, prison authorities at the state prison in El Salto, Jalisco, determined that he would be released, he left the prison at dawn, hours before the court ruling was made public. The raid netted up to five tons of marijuana a lost to the cartel of an estimated $8 billion in lost sales. In November 1984, 450 soilders with helicopter support raided the ranch and seized the marijuana crop. Camarena, had gained the trust, and friendship, of Caro Quintero, Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo aka "El Padrino", and Manuel Salcido, considered the premier capos. He became close friends with them all but particularly Felix Gallardo. Camarena promised them they would be protected from the region of TJ to Guerrero and he guaranteed them impunity. It was in March of 1984 that the capos discovered it was Camarena that betrayed him. He was ordered picked up, tortured and killed. After pressure by Washington, with the Mexican government and the DEA working together they captured the three men suspected of Camarena's killing. This posed a serious problem to the cartel as their leaders were incarcerated. It was Juan Jose Esparragoza Moreno aka "El Azul", that suggested the solution of distribution of territories. Azul was one of the most respected capos, hence the suggestion was accepted and the territories were divided into four major cartels: Tijuana Cartel: operated by Arellano-Felix and Jesus "Chuy" Labra Sinaloa Cartel: operated by Joaquin "el Chapo" Guzman Loera and Hector Luis Palma Salazar Golfo Cartel: operated by Juan Garcia Abrego Juarez Cartel: operated by Amado Carrillo Fuentes aka "Lord of the Skies" Caro Quintero was born in La Noria, Badiraguato, Sinaloa. Quintero was a co-founder, with Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo,, of the Guadalajara Cartel and Sonora Cartel. Upon the cartels' disintegration, its leaders were incorporated mostly into the Tijuana cartel and Sinaloa Cartel.  Camarena was subjected to some of the worse known methods of torture in drug war history. A physician was forced to revive Camarena when he was on the brink of death to subject the agent to further torture. In June of this year the US Government placed sanctions on those involved in the Camarena murder, including Caro Quintero. Camarena is considered a hero by the DEA Agency, American officials accused their Mexican counterparts of letting Camarena's killers get away. Caro Quintero was eventually hunted down in Costa Rica. Mexican journalists and some politicians are referring to the release as an outrage and that the justice system is characterized as a joke. Upon release of the drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, the Government of Jalisco watch to maintain order against possible criminal reconfiguration between criminal groups, said the governor, Sandoval Aristotle.  "I repeat, today marks a shame, the federal courts today decided to grant this freedom and we will act according to our faculties and powers remain calm and of course the order, monitoring and responding to any situation much relevant information ... ". U.S. was not given prior notification, “The Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration learned today that at dawn Rafael Caro Quintero was released from prison," said Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr. The DEA, meanwhile, said it "will vigorously continue its efforts to ensure Caro-Quintero faces charges in the United States for the crimes he committed.Caro Quintero faces charges in the United States, but Mexico's Attorney General's Office said it was unclear whether there was a current extradition request. Apparently, the U.S. had requested his extradition for the Camarena killing — something Caro Quintero can't be tried twice for — but may not have filed extradition requests for pending U.S. drug charges. "We have continued to make clear to Mexican authorities the continued interest of the United States in securing Caro Quintero's extradition so that he might face justice in the United States”, was the statement from the Department of Justice. ..continued next page.. Video is from the Camarena Legacy Foundation-In the video his family speak about Kiki's life and the murder, his oldest son was only 11 years old at the time of his father's death.  Caro Quintero is still listed as one of the DEA's five top international fugitives, and U.S. authorities believe he may have continued to control the laundering of drug money from behind bars. "Caro Quintero continues to launder the proceeds from narcotics trafficking and he maintains an alliance with drug trafficking organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel, most notably with Esparragoza Moreno's network," said Treasury Department spokesman John Sullivan, referring "El Azul who is allegedly a top leader of the Sinaloa cartel. (above left) In a statement by Adam Szubin, Director of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, he said "Caro Quintero has used a network of family members and front persons to invest his fortune into ostensibly legitimate companies and real estate projects in the city of Guadalajara". Caro Quintero has spent almost his entire sentence at a prison on the outskirts of that city, Mexico's second-largest city. A report in Mileno stated that Caro Quintero’s co-defendant had also been released. Federal authorities are disputing the report that the drug lord Ernesto Fonseca, "Don Neto", who was convicted along with Rafael Caro Quintero for the murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena, had been released.  "He is serving his sentence, is not out of prison," prison spokesperson said. On Friday aftenoon, José Luis Guizar, Rafael Caro Quintero's lawyer, said in addition to his client, the drug lord Ernesto Fonseca, "Don Neto" had also earned his freedom and said that "Don Neto" was released from prison in Puente Grande, Jalisco, at dawn. In a telephone interview the attorney said that the release was confirmed by family members. However, there did not appear to be a confirmation from the court that there was an order of release. And while further commenting, the lawyer said that so far he had no information to explain why Fonseca was released.. According to the attorney, Fonseca was moved to Mexico City where he will receive medical care; he is in poor health from kidney failure. For their part, authorities of the Federal Judiciary Council (CJF) denied that the drug trafficker obtained his freedom. Only the release of Caro Quintero has been confirmed. So as so often the case in Mexico, it is unclear.
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México's 10 Most Wanted Minus 1 Posted: 09 Aug 2013 10:13 AM PDT BorderlandBeat.Com   When Enrique Peña Nieto took the presidential office, in December of 2012, a list of 10 major wanted drug lords loomed over Mexico. EPN, as many call the president, stated he would alter the mission of Mexico's drug war. His initial plan would focus on securing dangerous areas, instead of chasing after drug lords that were wanted by the United States. On July 15, 2013, one of those top drug lords was captured. Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, a.k.a. Z-40, was captured near Nuevo Laredo and the U.S. border. He was the alleged leader of the ruthless Los Zetas cartel. Many are left wondering, will any of the others be taken down? Was the capture of Z-40 only by chance or with strict guidance of the U.S.? It is hard to predict the true result of capturing major drug lords. Some only estimate these captures or kills to cause more violence. However, not going after the bosses would be giving organized crime in Mexico the wrong signal, allowing drug lords to think they can carry on without facing justice for the crimes they have committed. 9 - Juan Pablo "El JL" Ledezma  Age and birthplace unknown. Believed to be the leader of La Línea. On most wanted list since 2009. The second in importance after Vicente Carrillo in the Juarez cartel. Little information is known about the suspect, but according to the PGR (Mexico Attorney General), "El JL" is responsible for illegal activities in the Chihuahua plaza and is in command of at least two groups of gunmen. Among them La Línea and el Grupo Cóndor. He is wanted for organized crime and drug crimes. Pablo Ledezma was behind much of the violence that led Ciudad Juárez to being listed as one of the most violent city in the world during 2011. 8- Vicente "El Viceroy" Carrillo Fuentes  50 years old. Born in Navolato, Sinaloa, Mexico. Alleged leader of the Juarez Cartel. Vicente inherited the Juarez Cartel from his brother, Amado, who was known as the “Señor de los Cielos”. Amado died during a facial surgery. Vicente formed a band of ruthless sicarios, including corrupt police officers, known as La Linea. His cartel also works with a U.S. prison gang known as the "Barrio Azteca", which carries out assassinations. Vicente Carrillo allied with the Gulf Cartel and the Beltran Leyva brothers, after breaking with the Sinaloa. He controls one of the most important routes for smuggling tons of cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine, from northern Mexico to the United States. 7- Luis Fernando “El Ingeniero” Sánchez Arellano  Believed to be in his 30's. Likely born in the Tijuana, Baja California area. Alleged leader of the Arellano Felix Organization, which is also known as the Tijuana Cartel. Fernando is the heir of the Arellano Felix clan, which controlled Tijuana beginning in the 1980s. Though weakened by the rise of other criminal groups, the Tijuana cartel still controls much of drug trafficking along the far northwest border with the U.S. After the deaths and arrests of several members of the Arellano Felix family, and especially after the arrest of his uncle Eduardo Arellano Felix on October 25, 2008, Luis Fernando Sanchez took the leadership of the cartel. This action was likely in collaboration with his mother, Enedina Arellano Felix. Despite allegedly having a hands on approach to running the Arellano Felix Organization, Luis Fernando has evaded being detected in the Baja California area. Some sources have stated that Luis Fernando may be living in Southern California. 6-Juan José “El Azul” Esparragoza Moreno  64 years old. Born in Huichiopa, Badiraguato, Sinaloa. High ranking Sinaloa Cartel leader. El Azul was an agent of the Federal Judicial Police. His beginnings in organized crime came in the 1980's when he joined the Guadalajara Cartel, which was led by Rafael Caro Quintero, Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, and Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo. He is believed to have had a role in the death of the of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique Camarena Salazar in 1985, while he was investigating marijuana plants. For this case, "El Azul" was arrested in 1986 by the commander of the Federal Judicial Police, Florentino Ventura. He was imprisoned for seven years in custody in the Southern Federal District. Shortly after his release, Ventura and others involved in the arrest were killed. His nickname is linked to the complexion of his skin, as it is considered by some to be dark enough to be blue. He operates in Sinaloa and Jalisco. He is wanted for organized crime and drug crimes 5- Ismael “El Mayo" Zambada García  65 years old. Born in El Alamo, Culiacan, Sinaloa. Alleged to be a co-leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. "El Mayo" Zambada began his career in drug trafficking during the eighties, in the organizations of Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo and Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo. He later worked in the criminal organization of Amado Carrillo, which he rose to assume leadership after the death of Carrillo. In contrast to other drug traffickers, Zambada has always tried to keep a low profile, which has allowed him to remain virtually untouchable against Mexican and U.S. authorities for more than three decades. There is an unofficial version that Ismael Zambada resorted to plastic surgery to change his face, thus preventing identification. Few actual images have ever been released of him. Since 2001, "El Mayo" Zambada began working in collaboration with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and the Sinaloa Cartel, especially through his son, Vicente Zambada Niebla. Vicente played a key role in the cartel to coordinate sending several tons of cocaine from various countries in Central and South America, via Mexico, for the United States. Vincent was captured along with his bodyguards by the Mexican Army on March 18, 2009, carrying weapons considered exclusive use of the armed forces. On February 18, 2010, he was extradited to the U.S. to face federal charges. His area of operation is in Sinaloa, Sonora, Yucatan and Chihuahua. Like his partner, "El Chapo", he is also one of the most wanted by the U.S. government. He is wanted for organized crime, drug crimes, weapons collection, and operations with illegal proceeds. 4- Óscar Omar “Z 42″ Treviño Morales  39 years old. Born in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. Alleged to be the new leader of the Los Zetas. With the capture of his brother, Miguel Angel "Z-40" Trevino, Omar is designated as the new leader of the cartel. According to sources from the PGR, Omar Trevino was the right hand of "Z-40" since 2010. Another brother was arrested in 2012, running a horse ranch in Oklahoma. The ranch was used to launder drug proceeds. Omar has been blamed for kidnappings and killings in Nuevo Laredo that occurred between 2005 and 2006, according to information from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. He is wanted for organized crime and possession of firearms for use by the Army, Navy and Air Force. 3- Servando “La Tuta” Gómez Martínez  47 years old. Born in Arteaga, Michoácan. High ranking operator in the Knights Templar Cartel. According to information from the PGR, La Tuta was first a normal school teacher and then a farmer. He set up centers to help young people addicted to drugs. He is believed to have been a drug dealer since 2001. In 2010, it was revealed that he received federal salary as a teacher. He was one of the founders of the violent La Familia Michoacana cartel, along with Nazario "El Chayo" Moreno Gonzales (allegedly killed by agents of the Federal Police) and Jesus "El Chango" Mendez Varga (captured by Federal Police). In 2011, he left La Familia to lead the Knights Templar. "The Knights Templar" has mastered not only drug trafficking, but also vehicle theft, arms trafficking and smuggling in the coastal zone, which gave rise to the emergence of vigilante groups in Michoacan. He is wanted for organized crime, drug crimes, illegal deprivation of liberty, aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. 2- Héctor “El H” Beltrán Leyva  48 years old. Born in Badiraguato, Sinaloa. Alleged leader of the Beltrán Leyva Cartel. Hector Beltran Leyva, alias "El H", leads the organization of "The Beltran Leyva". He assumed the leadership of the cartel after the death of its founding leader, Arturo, and capture of his brothers, Carlos and Alfredo. The cartel operates in Sinaloa, Sonora, Nayarit, Guerrero, Puebla, Morelos, and in parts of the United States. The Beltrán Leyva Cartel is believed to be allied to some extent with the Los Zetas, Juarez Cartel, and the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). Since 2008 the cartel has been at war with the "Chapo" Guzman organization. Hector's brother Arthur was shot dead by Marines in December 2009. He is wanted for organized crime, drug crimes, weapons collection, and resource operations with illegal proceeds. 1- Joaquín Archibaldo “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera  Believed to be between 56 and 58 years old. Born in La Tuna, Badiraguato, Sinaloa. Co-leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. El Chapo first appeared on the most wanted list in 2001, when he escaped from the Federal Center for Social Rehabilitation in Puente Grande, Jalisco, in a laundry cart. He is also the most wanted drug trafficker by the U.S. government. According to information from the PGR, the Sinaloa cartel operates in 24 states and several countries in Central and South America. Chapo has been linked to transnational mafias, sending cocaine to Europe. Since his escape, he has wove alliances with bosses such as Ismael Zambada, Juan Jose Esparragoza Moreno, and Ignacio "Nacho" Coronel Villarreal. El Chapo has dished out full frontal attacks on many border cities, with goals to take the crossing points for himself. These actions have caused great violence in some border cities, as the defending cartels have attempted to fight off his forces. El Chapo reportedly married a beauty queen of 18 years old in 2007. He is wanted for organized crime and drug crimes. He has been listed by Forbes Magazine as one of the richest and most powerful figures in the world. In March of 2012, Mexican authorities claimed they almost captured Guzmán at a Los Cabos, Baja California Sur residence. ----- Information on the "NINE" was provided by the PGR and first published by Sin Embargo, on July 22nd, 2013. Data was translated, as well as additional information added, by K.Mennem. Original article by Sin Embargo was posted in English to the Borderland Beat Forum by DD.  |
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