AZMEX - ASRPA

AZMEX UPDATE 22-4-09

2011-12-12T19:17:00.000-08:00

Ejecutan a dos policías en Caborca

Ayer poco después de la medianoche fueron ejecutados a balazos dos agentes de la Policía Municipal de esta ciudad al utilizar sus agresores ráfagas de metralleta durante hechos registrados en la Calle 30, a unos quinientos metros de la carretera Internacional en la colonia Ampliación Santa Cecilia.

Los oficiales caídos en el cumplimiento de su deber son Francisco Galaviz Torres de 38 años de edad y Austreberto Barragán Díaz de 33 años de edad; ambos con una amplia trayectoria policiaca.
Los agentes abordaban la patrulla número 89 cuando interceptaron a varios vehículos que circulaban por la calle mencionada anteriormente, se desconoce qué fue lo que pasó y cómo se dieron los sangrientos hechos, pero fueron ultimados con ráfagas de metralla del tipo “cuerno de chivo” y del calibre “mata policías”.
En el lugar fueron levantados 17 casquillos de cuerno de chivo y 3 casquillos percutidos del calibre 5.7 x 28 milímetros y 3 más sin percutir de esta mortal arma conocida como “mata policías”.
Se logró establecer de forma extraoficial que los sicarios abordaban al menos tres vehículos al parecer una Armada y dos pick-up de la línea Lobo.
De igual forma los agentes al ser ultimados no les dieron ni oportunidad de desenfundar sus armas y repeler la mortal agresión, cayendo primeramente el Agente Galaviz Torres y después su compañero Barragán Díaz.
Los sicarios tras cometer el crimen se regresaron por la carretera internacional rumbo a la ciudad de Sonoyta.
Varias unidades de la policía municipal al menos 10 y unos 40 elementos salieron rumbo a Sonoyta en busca de los responsables, así mismo militares destacamentados en Caborca y Sonoyta.

Datos
En la corporación caborquense se informó que Francisco Galaviz Torres era oriundo de Hermosillo donde nació el 16 de septiembre de 1970 e ingresó a las filas policiales el pasado 21 de marzo de 2007, luego de recibir su título de Técnico de Policía en el Instituto Superior de Seguridad Pública del Estado (Isspe).
Destacándose su participación en el curso de “Técnicas y Tácticas Policiacas, Identificación de Vehículos Robados, Psicología Policiaca y Legislación Policial”, impartido por capitán Dick Mullen, oficiales Paul Thompson, Martin Marquez, Johny Villaneda y sargento Frank Bracamontes de la Highway Patrol Bureau del estado de Arizona, en Puerto Peñasco, los días 19, 20 y 21 de Julio del 2000. El ahora occiso estaba casado con Aracely Zepeda Valdez, con quien procreó a sus pequeños hijos Francisco Marcel, Valeria Michelle y Camila Aracely, señalándose que anteriormente se desempeñó como tal en Altar, desde enero de 2005 a septiembre de 2006. A su vez, Austreberto Barragán Díaz, nació el 31 de enero de 1977 en Caborca e ingresó a la corporación el dos de octubre de 2001, quien estaba casado con la señora Aracely Lozoya Zúñiga, con quien procreó su hija Tirsa Berenice, señalándose que participó en el servicio de vigilancia en la delegación de policía del poblado Plutarco Elías Calles o “Y”, en octubre de 2004; mientras que su empleo anterior fue en el Centro Comercial PH Plaza Guadalupana, donde se desempeñó como jefe del Departamento de Góndolas de marzo de 2000 a febrero de 2001.

Van 2 mil muertos por el narcotráfico

El avance de las fuerzas federales en enclaves con presencia del narcotráfico y la guerra entre cárteles rivales aceleraron el índice de violencia en el país, de tal forma que creció exponencialmente la cantidad de muertos en acciones contra el crimen organizado, hasta rebasar los 2 mil en los primeros 110 días del año, para un promedio diario de al menos 18 asesinatos en el país.

Con las 12 muertes más recientes, en lo que va del año suman 2 mil cuatro muertes violentas relacionadas con el crimen organizado y el tráfico de drogas, según estadísticas de EL UNIVERSAL. De acuerdo con este mismo conteo, en 2008 se superó la barrera de los primeros mil ejecutados del año el 22 de abril.
Al igual que el 20 de febrero pasado, cuando sumaron los primeros mil asesinatos de este año, Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa, Guerrero y Baja California continúan, en ese orden, como las entidades más afectadas por la violencia.
En los primeros 110 días del año, Chihuahua acumuló 843 muertos (42.06% del total), Durango 214 (10.67%), Sinaloa 198 (9.88%), Guerrero 171 (8.53%) y Baja California 110 (5.48%). Los cinco estados sumaron mil 536 muertos, lo que representó 76.64% del total en el país.
También hubo ejecutados en Michoacán (95), Coahuila (62), Guanajuato (61), Sonora (43), Jalisco (36), estado de México (33), Distrito Federal (30), Tabasco (18), Nuevo León (18), Tamaulipas (16), Zacatecas (9), Chiapas, Nayarit (8), Oaxaca y Morelos (con 7 cada uno), Colima (5), Veracruz y Quintana Roo (4 cada uno).
Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Puebla y Querétaro sólo reportaron un muerto cada uno, mientras que Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí, Tlaxcala y Yucatán se mantenían en cero.
Por el número de asesinatos, este año el mes más violento ha sido febrero, con 637 ejecuciones, seguido de marzo, con 529, y enero, con 508. En abril, hasta el día 20 se contabilizan 330.
A la fecha, por la cantidad de ejecuciones, los días más violentos del año han sido el domingo 15 de febrero, con 52 muertes; el 10 de febrero, con 48; el 11 de febrero, con 36; el 4 de marzo, con 35, y, el más reciente, el 16 de abril, con 44.
Ese 16 de abril, en el serrano municipio guerrerense de San Miguel Totolapan, nueve vehículos cargados de mariguana en rama custodiados por al menos 40 pistoleros fueron rodeados por miembros del Ejército, que les ordenaron rendirse. Los narcotraficantes opusieron resistencia y dispararon contra los soldados, que en respuesta mataron a 15 atacantes. En la refriega murió un militar y otro resultó herido.
En las últimas horas mataron a dos policías municipales en Caborca, Sonora; en Ciudad Juárez hubo cuatro ejecuciones; en Gómez Palacio, Durango, mataron a un hombre y encontraron a una mujer con dos tiros en la cabeza. En Tijuana, Baja California, dos hombres y una mujer fueron asesinados en diferentes hechos y en Aguascalientes a otro hombre.

Detienen a seis personas armadas
Decomisan además, armas de grueso calibre
De la Redacción
Martes, 21 de Abril de 2009
Chihuahua, Chih.- Militares y policías del Operativo Conjunto Chihuahua detuvieron a seis personas en dos hechos diferentes, a quienes les aseguraron armas de grueso calibre, una de ellas al parecer propiedad de la Procuraduría estatal; cartuchos, cuatro vehículos y equipo diverso.
Las primeras detenciones ocurrieron el lunes pasado en la colonia Ignacio Allende, en la calle San Miguel El Grande, donde fueron interceptados dos hombres que tripulaban un vehículo en el que transportaban un arsenal, informó la Policía Ministerial.
Los hechos ocurrieron antes de las dos de la tarde, luego de una doble ejecución ocurrida en la colonia Cerro de la Cruz, lo que generó una movilización de personal de las diferentes corporaciones policiacas.
La Policía Ministerial informó ayer que personal de esa corporación apoyó a elementos del Ejército Mexicano en la revisión de un vehículo marca Volkswagen, línea Jetta, color gris.
Trascendió, que policías municipales también participaron en el operativo.
En el vehículo viajaban dos personas, mismas que fueron aseguradas por los soldados, luego de que en el auto encontraron varias armas de fuego de grueso calibre.
El segundo caso ocurrió la mañana de ayer, en las calles Walter Scott y Martín H. Barrios, de la colonia Alamedas.
Varias cuadras a la redonda fueron rodeadas por los policías y militares, en busca de otras personas que al parecer se dieron a la fuga al iniciar el operativo.
Policías y militares atendieron una llamada anónima en la que les reportaron a unas personas armadas y al arribar detuvieron inicialmente a dos hombres, quienes se dieron a la fuga, pero fueron alcanzados y sometidos.
Posteriormente fueron detenidas una mujer y un hombre a quienes al parecer sacaron del domicilio marcado con el número 1508 de la calle Walter Scott.
Los militares y policías aseguraron 10 armas de fuego: cuatro rifles AK-47, de los llamados cuernos de chivo; tres rifles AR-15, calibre .223, uno de ellos al parecer propiedad de la Procuraduría del estado; tres pistolas, algunos chalecos antibalas, otros chalecos tácticos, una granada de fragmentación, cartuchos útiles de diversos calibres, una placa de identificación de la Policía Ministerial.
Asimismo, también fueron aseguradas tres pick up marca Dodge, línea Ram, una de ellas doble cabina, color blanco, placas DW25374; otra color rojo, placas DW06343 y otra más cabina sencilla, color blanco, placas DV18869.
De estos detenidos se hizo cargo la Policía Federal, quienes además se llevaron diversos artículos de la vivienda, incluyendo ropa.

AZMEX UPDATE 19-4-09

2011-12-12T19:16:00.000-08:00

azmex update 19 - 4 - 2009

Note: this is about the girl caught with the ma deuce and bunch of other weapons. Word is that her husband had left about 30 minutes before army arrived.

Dan arraigo a joven detenida con arsenal en Santa Ana
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NOGALES, Sonora(PH)

La joven de 20 años arrestada por policías federales en el Municipio de Santa Ana resguardando un poderoso arsenal, fue sujeta a una orden de arraigo por el Juzgado Segundo Federal Penal Especializado en Cateos, Arraigos e Intervención de Comunicaciones.

De acuerdo a un comunicado oficial, la solicitud fue elaborada por personal de la Agencia del Ministerio Público de la Subprocuraduría Especializada en Delincuencia Organizada (Siedo).

La joven es procesada por su presunta responsabilidad en la comisión de los delitos de delincuencia organizada, contra la salud y acopio de armas de fuego del uso exclusivo del Ejército, Armada y Fuerza Aérea Mexicana.

Beltrán Cabrera fue detenida por elementos de la Policía Federal desplegados en Sonora, cuando realizaban patrullajes de prevención, disuasión y vigilancia sobre la calle Niños Héroes y avenida Abasolo, número 516, colonia Fátima en el municipio de Santa Ana.

Al momento de su aseguramiento, se encontraba en posesión de una ametralladora marca Browning, de calibre 50 milímetros, matricula 000570, montada sobre un poste metálico arriba de una camioneta Ford, tipo Lobo F-150.

Note:
Nota Publicada: 18/04/2009 14:12
Acosan grupos armados a familias en Chihuahua
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CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua(SUN)

Alrededor de 200 familias de la zona noroeste del estado que viven en municipios de Madera, Ignacio Zaragoza y Gómez Farías huyeron a las ciudades de Juárez y Chihuahua porque grupos armados los acosan, llegan a sus casas y las queman porque los acusan de proteger al grupo delictivo conocido como "Gente Nueva", grupo operativo del cártel que dirige Joaquín Guzmán Loera.

Al respecto, el gobernador del estado, José Reyes Baeza Terrazas reconoció el problema y dijo que a corto plazo habrá operativos especiales en la región noroeste de la entidad, desde el municipio de Madera, Ignacio Zaragoza, Gómez Farías y Namiquipa.

Aunque las versiones han sido presentadas ante los medios pidiendo no publicar sus nombres, el diputado local de extracción perredista, Víctor Quintana Silveyra informó que la situación en esa zona es grave por la impunidad con la que se mueven estas bandas armadas al parecer de narcotraficantes.

Señaló que entre los casos, todos graves, destaca el del martes 17 de marzo pasado, cuando el abogado Carlos Eduardo Ramos Angulo, acompañado de los señores Edgar Terrazas, Pedro García y Raúl Rodríguez, todos ellos pertenecientes al cuerpo de Defensas Rurales del Estado de Chihuahua se trasladaron a la ciudad de Madera en una actividad vinculada a su comisión y los acompañaba como salvo conducto el Teniente Antonio Hernández, todos ellos miembros del Ejército Mexicano, iban en dos vehículos y fueron levantados y desaparecidos.

Expresó que la señora Magdalena Alanis, esposa de Raúl Rodríguez, oficial del cuerpo de Defensas Rurales, le pidió intervenir porque las autoridades no iniciaban la búsqueda de los desaparecidos hasta que ella pusiera una denuncia en el Departamento de Averiguaciones Previas de la Subprocuraduría estatal.

Agrega que al acudir a la Subprocuraduría se negaron a recibirles las denuncias, porque son militares, por lo que finalmente una de las esposas contrató una abogada que hizo que recibieran la denuncia provisionalmente hasta definir la competencia.

Las personas que huyeron de sus lugares de origen informan que en lo que va del año han levantado y desaparecido al menos a 60 personas, en la zona, incluyendo al teniente del Ejército y cuatro rurales.

El reporte más reciente de personas levantadas es el de tres albañiles que fueron desaparecidos el lunes pasado; uno de ellos se llama Eduardo Avilés Nevarez, de 17 años de edad, así como Carlos Hermosillo Zubía, de 18 años y José Luis Trejo Morales, de 29 años.

Otras personas levantadas y desaparecidas son Cecilia Cano Zamarrón, Jorge Báez Vega, Oscar Payán Suárez, dos hermanos de apellidos Peraza, Uriel Encinas y su esposa, así como Elías Acosta, dijo el diputado Quintana.

"Es una situación terrible, los narcotraficantes se apoderaron de todo, están identificados plenamente, los encuentran en los ejidos Zaragoza, Nicolás Bravo y Gómez Farías.

Comentó que poblados como El Alamillo, municipio de Madera, quedó prácticamente desierto, ya que quemaron todas las casas, se llevaron a más de 30 personas, prendieron una casa con niños adentro que lograron salvarse y quemaron hasta los animales.

De acuerdo a los moradores de la región, el grupo que realiza este tipo de actividades es La Línea, brazo operativo en el estado de los Carrillo Fuentes y es una célula dividida en tres grupos que viajan hasta en 20 camionetas con vidrios polarizados, sin placas y con hombres armados con rifles de asalto.

Afirman las personas que huyeron que los policías municipales de Madera y la zona, están coludidos o tal vez forman parte de estos grupos delictivos e incluso señalan que la comandante del municipio de Gómez Farías, es hermana de un conocido narcotraficante de la región de apellido Carrasco.

Los familiares y amigos de los levantados dicen que no se explican la razón de los levantones, ya que la mayoría de los más de 60 afectados son gente trabajadora del campo que siempre se ha negado a sembrar drogas para los grupos delictivos y viven de su trabajo honrado.

Sobre estos hechos, en entrevista vía telefónica, el secretario del Ayuntamiento de Madera, Felipe González informó que personal del Centro de Investigación y Seguridad Nacional está realizando una investigación ante denuncias de que personas armadas provenientes del sur se han incrustado en la sierra para delinquir.

Por su parte, el gobernador José Reyes Baeza Terrazas dijo que esta es una región conflictiva en estos momentos por eso ante los eventos criminales en la región se arrancará un operativo de seguridad a corto plazo.

Indicó que han recibido reportes y no sólo de Madera sino también de Nicolás Bravo, Namiquipa, Ignacio Zaragoza y Gómez Farías, de grupos criminales que se encuentran transitando por estas localidades, por lo que actuará contra ellos.

Reyes Baeza dijo que en estos momentos esa es la región con mayor complejidad, en lo que se refiera al tema de la seguridad en el estado, por lo que ya se puso en contacto con las autoridades militares y federales, de tal forma que en los próximos días comenzará un operativo de seguridad enfocado a la seguridad de la región noroeste del estado.

Frustran federales rescate de integrante de los Beltrán Leyva
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Note: Following 3 pieces about cartel gunmen attempt rescue of a cartel leader from police taking him and others to a federal prison.

MÉXICO, D.F.(SUN)
Agentes federales frustraron el rescate de uno de los más importantes miembros del cártel de los hermanos Beltrán Leyva, Gerónimo Gámez, primo de Arturo Beltrán Leyva ‘El Barbas', y encargado de las finanzas del grupo criminal, cuando era trasladado al penal de El Rincón, situado en Tepic, Nayarit, el cual dejó ocho muertos.

Tras un enfrentamiento con un grupo de sicarios en el que murieron tres agentes federales de la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública, dos más de la AFI adscritos a la SIEDO, el director técnico del Cefereso, una mujer custodio y un presunto sicario; se logró internar en la citada cárcel al operador financiero de los Beltrán Leyva.

De acuerdo con informes oficiales, un grupo de sicarios atacó de forma sorpresiva al grupo de oficiales federales que trasladaban al reo al penal federal de El Rincón.

El ataque, donde también murió un presunto sicario, se produjo apenas el convoy de vehículos oficiales que trasladaba a Gámez, abandonó las instalaciones del aeropuerto de Tepic.

Tras lo sorpresivo el ataque, el grupo de policías federales se reorganizó y a pesar de las bajas pudo repeler al grupo armado y llevó al penal al rao que era trasladado de la ciudad de México a la citada prisión.

Una vez que la situación fue controlada, fuerzas federales y soldados iniciaron una búsqueda en la zona para capturar al grupo de sicarios que realizó el ataque al convoy que trasladaba al operador de los Beltrán Leyva, pero hasta esta noche no se informó de más capturas o bajas en el grupo agresor.

Este es el primer ataque directo que realizan sicarios durante el traslado de un reo a un penal federal. Informes oficiales señalan que en las primeras horas de este domingo podría tenerse resultados del operativo de búsqueda del grupo agresor.

Ataca un comando a federales; 2 muertos
19 April, 2009 06:36 SUN/El DIario de Sonora
Tamaño de la fuente:

Tepic, Nayarit

El ataque se produjo en el libramiento de la carretera hacia Sinaloa, 30 kilómetros al noroeste de Tepic, según fuentes de la procuraduría de Justicia del estado de Nayarit.
Las fuentes añadieron que los agentes federales custodiaban el traslado de los seis detenidos que llegaron por vía aérea al aeropuerto de Tepic, procedentes de la ciudad de México, y señalados como presuntamente relacionadas con el cártel de los Beltrán Leyva.
Los cuatro detenidos eran trasladados al Centro Federal de Readaptación Social (Cefereso) de “El Rincón” y las dos mujeres al Centro de Readaptación Social (Cereso) "Venustiano Carranza", también aledaño a la ciudad de Tepic.
Hasta esta noche se desconocía si el grupo armado intentaba liberar o ejecutar a los seis detenidos, o si lograron su objetivo.
Sin embargo, el ataque fue confirmado por un agente de guardia de la procuraduría de Justicia de Nayarit, identificado como César Santos, quien dijo que varios de elementos de su corporación (policías estatales) se encontraban colaborando en el operativo de búsqueda de los atacantes.
Según informes preliminares poco después del ataque fue encontrado a varios kilómetros del lugar uno de los vehículos utilizados por los pistoleros y en el que había manchas de sangre, por lo que se supone que algunos de los atacantes resultaron heridos.

Detenidos en Guerrero
Horas antes del ataque, la Procuraduría General de la República (PGR) informó que el agente del Ministerio Público en la ciudad de México consignó al penal "El Rincón" y al de "Venustiano Carranza" a seis detenidos el 31 de enero pasado en Acapulco, Guerrero, en un laboratorio de procesamiento y venta de cocaína.
Los detenidos fueron identificados como Ernesto Alonso Quintero Cárdenas, Fidel Quintero Carbajal, Hilario Quintero Carbajal y Juan Armando Nolasco Fernández, así como María del Carmen Cárdenas Fernández y Janette Guadalupe Beltrán Núñez.
La consignación se emitió con base en una orden de aprehensión emitida por el juez tercero de Distrito contra los seis detenidos, quienes según la causa penal 68/09 están acusados de los delitos de delincuencia organizada, contra la salud y posesión de cartuchos de uso exclusivo de las Fuerzas Armadas

Enfrentamiento deja ocho muertos

Agentes federales frustraron el rescate de uno de los más importantes miembros del cártel de los hermanos Beltrán Leyva, Jerónimo Gámez alias “El Primo”, encargado de las finanzas de ese grupo criminal, cuando era trasladado al penal de El Rincón, situado en Tepic, Nayarit, el cual dejó ocho muertos.

Tras un enfrentamiento con un grupo de sicarios en el que murieron tres agentes federales de la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública, dos más de la AFI adscritos a la SIEDO, el director técnico del Cefereso, una mujer custodio y un presunto sicario; se logró internar en la citada cárcel al operador financiero de los Beltrán Leyva.
De acuerdo con informes oficiales, un grupo de sicarios atacó de forma sorpresiva al grupo de oficiales federales que trasladaban al reo al penal federal de El Rincón.
El ataque, donde también murió un presunto sicario, se produjo apenas el convoy de vehículos oficiales que trasladaba a Gámez, abandonó las instalaciones del aeropuerto de Tepic.
Tras lo sorpresivo el ataque, el grupo de policías federales se reorganizó y a pesar de las bajas pudo repeler al grupo armado y llevó al penal al reo que era trasladado de la ciudad de México a la citada prisión.
Una vez que la situación fue controlada, fuerzas federales y soldados iniciaron una búsqueda en la zona para capturar al grupo de sicarios que realizó el ataque al convoy que trasladaba al operador de los Beltrán Leyva, pero hasta esta noche no se informó de más capturas o bajas en el grupo agresor.
Este es el primer ataque directo que realizan sicarios durante el traslado de un reo a un penal federal. Informes oficiales señalan que en las primeras horas de este domingo podría tenerse resultados del operativo de búsqueda del grupo agresor.

AZMEX Gifford Summit 17-4-09

2011-12-12T19:15:00.000-08:00

Giffords' summit elevates Ariz. crime debate
Comments 3 | Recommend 2
BILL RICHARDSON, COMMENTARY

April 15, 2009 - 4:18PM
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"We are dealing with a lethal narco-insurgency!"

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.

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On April 7, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., hosted a border-related crime summit in Tucson. City, county, state and federal law enforcement officials from Arizona's border counties, Pinal County, Phoenix and Washington, D.C., attended.

Southern and central Arizona have long been destinations for organized crime. Thanks to years of neglect by state government, Arizona is now the gateway to the United States for the Mexican drug cartels.

David Gonzales, the U.S. marshal for Arizona, described Giffords' sit-down as a milestone in addressing the problems. Gonzales, a former southern Arizona undercover narcotics agent and gang unit commander, had high praise for Giffords.

The summit focused on the totality of the state's cross border crime problem, not just illegal immigration. Human smuggling is one of many profit sources for domestic and international organized crime that makes tens of billions of dollars from the United States' growing supermarket of crime. Border control is just part of the solution.

The congresswoman obviously sees and understands what's really going on. She wanted facts, not emotion and bravado. She got what she asked for, no holds barred!

Giffords assembled some of the best minds in the business. Ritchie Martinez, a criminal intelligence analysis supervisor from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Center, told Giffords that cartel members are in Arizona to protect business interests and expand their markets. HIDTA is a significant source of federal funding and support for successful local law enforcement projects designed to combat cross-border and organized crime in Arizona.

Martinez has spent 36 years working the border and is one of the top criminal intelligence experts in the world.

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard told KJZZ radio (91.5 FM) following the summit that violence stemming from Mexico's ongoing drug war is here.

Gonzales, who also heads the Arizona HIDTA leadership team, said "organized crime groups with ties to the drug cartels are here, growing and joining forces with, or charging other criminals taxes to conduct criminal activity in the state."

In a March 25 Associated Press story, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada, who also attended the summit, said, "the cartels are responsible for kidnappings, shootings, rapes and banditry" in his county.

In 2007 there were 30,600 violent crimes and 279,794 serious property crimes reported in Arizona. Statewide only about one in five is solved. U.S. Department of Justice officials have attributed 80 percent of all crimes committed to organized crime groups and have reported the presence of Mexican organized crime in Arizona. The Congressional Quarterly announced in March that Arizona is America's eighth most dangerous state.

Recent seizures of Mexican heroin in northern Arizona show how far-reaching the problem is. And the recent arrests of American street gangsters in Phoenix and San Diego for two separate multimillion-dollar fraudulent enterprises demonstrate a new level of diversification by cunning organized criminals who have long been thought of as only being capable of dealing drugs, drive-by shootings and stealing beer.

The congresswoman expressed concern about the state's need for resources and the ability of law enforcement officials to share information and move rapidly and collectively against the growing and increasingly unified enemy of organized crime. She told meeting attendees that "communication and cooperation are not optional!"

Unfortunately Arizona is lacking significantly when it comes to effective communications. For years, state officials have chosen not to spend a small portion of the millions in federal pubic safety aid it receives on an urgently needed cooperative statewide criminal information collection, sharing and communications system for law enforcement.

Even though the Legislature has pledged $1.6 million for Maricopa County immigration sweeps, the state won't fund a $2.5 million information sharing project to allow every police officer in Arizona to communicate and share information on crime and criminals.

Giffords' summit jump-started a long overdue, serious, apolitical and nonpartisan discussion of the crime problem that's permeated the border and made its presence well known throughout the rest of Arizona.

Her "take the point" leadership is extremely refreshing.

Retired Mesa master police officer Bill Richardson lives in the East Valley and can be reached at bill.richardson@cox.net.

AZMEX UPDATE 14-4-09

2011-12-12T19:13:00.001-08:00

azmex update 14 Apr 2009

Detienen a joven mujer con arsenal en Santa Ana
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SANTA ANA, Sonora(PH)

En posesión de un poderoso arsenal, entre los que destacan un rifle calibre .50 montado en un pick up, fue capturada ayer lunes una joven de 20 años en Santa Ana.

La detenida fue identificada como Anahí Beltrán Cabrera, de 20 años, quien quedó a disposición de la Subprocuraduría de Investigación Especializada en Delincuencia Organizada (Siedo).

En un reporte oficial trascendió que todo ocurrió cuando los agentes patrullaban la calle Niños Héroes y avenida Abasolo, de la colonia Fátima.

En ese sitio vieron a la mujer, quien conducía un vehículo en el que le localizaron dos ametralladoras, seis fusiles, un lanzagranadas, una granada de mano, 267 cargadores, 9 mil 629 cartuchos y 750 gramos de cocaína, entre muchas otras cosas.

De acuerdo a la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública, esta acción se suma a la detención de José Ángel Rodríguez Pérez, alias “El Bolo” y/o “El Narizón”, de 34 años, en el marco del “Operativo Conjunto Chihuahua”.

Ahí aseguraron ocho granadas, cuatro armas largas, 24 cargadores, mil 818 cartuchos útiles de diferentes calibres, equipo táctico diverso y cerca de 300 kilos de marihuana.

Magdalena de Kino

Es de destacar que además policías municipales de Magdalena de Kino arrestaron a Armando Ortiz Echeverría, de 39 años, así como Adrián Eduardo Monreal Delgado, de 33 años.

“Bien armada”
Una ametralladora marca Browning calibre 50mm matricula 000570, montada sobre un poste metálico arriba de la camioneta Ford Lobo F-150.
Una ametralladora Browning calibre .30 M1919A-4, matricula B-147299SG.
Un fusil Barrett, calibre .50 AR50, matricula 71133 con bipié.
Un fusil modificado tipo AR-15, marca Bushmaster calibre .223, matricula L391813.
Una carabina marca Winchester calibre 30-30, matricula 3561511, incompleto.
Una carabina AK-47 calibre 7.62 x 39mm. matricula 04893.
Un rifle marca Nitro calibre 30-06 a carabina AK-47 calibre sin matricula, con mira telescópica marca Bushnell.
Una carabina marca Lithgow S.M.LE. matricula 81345.
Un cañón con cajón de mecanismos de carabina AK-47 matricula EE 7244.
Un aditamento lanza granadas calibre 37mm. sin matricula y sin marca.
Una bolsa con refacciones para fusil AK-47 conteniendo 70 piezas de diversos grupos del arma.
Un “rompeflamas” de AK-47.
Una tapa del cajón de mecanismos para fusil AK-47.
Un guardamano metálico para AK-47.
Un cargador para pistola Browning con capacidad para 17 cartuchos.
Una guía y resorte recuperador para fusil AK-47.
Diez cerrojos con guías incompletas.
651 eslabones individuales para cartuchos calibre .50.
399 eslabones individuales para cartuchos calibre 308. (7.62 x 51 mm).
Cinco aceiteras dobles, metálicas chicas.
Cuatro estuches cilíndricos metálicos de herramientas de limpieza y reparación (cinco piezas cada uno).
Un protector metálico para cañón AK-47.
Tres piezas en procesos de fabricación.
249 cargadores metálicos para fusil AK-47 con capacidad de 30 cartuchos abastecidos.
Nueve cargadores desabastecidos para fusil AK-47.
Dos cargadores con capacidad de 30 cartuchos para AR-15, desabastecido.
Un cargador con capacidad de 20 cartuchos para AR-15, desabastecido.
Cuatro cargadores con capacidad de 15 cartuchos para AR-15, desabastecido.
Dos cargadores circulares para AK-47 desabastecidos.
Un tripié para ametralladora calibre .50 TNW.
Un tubo base metálico con aditamento protector (placa metálica) hechiza montado en vehiculo.
Siete mil 370 cartuchos calibre .223.
Mil 45 cartuchos cal. 7.62 x 25mm.
822 cartuchos calibre .308.
359 cartuchos calibre .50.
33cartuchos calibre 30-06.
Una granada de mano de fragmentación M228 ME102B 018-019.
Una estación de radio compuesta de unidades de radios marca ICOM ITS-10 SYSCOM, fuente de poder, una batería 12-16 marca L.T.H., base metálica.
Dos uniformes color negro.
Un chaleco balístico negro sin placas.
Un paquete con 750 gramos de cocaína

Vehículos:
Una camioneta Ford Lobo F-150 con placas de circulación UT89399 del estado de Sonora.
Una camioneta Range Rover con placas de circulación VXJ4800 del estado de Sonora.
Una camioneta marca Chevrolet, Cheyenne con placas de circulación UV74048 del estado de Sonora.

Nota Publicada: 14/04/2009 10:02

AZMEX UPDATE 17-4-09

2011-12-12T19:12:00.001-08:00

Entran dos mil armas al día de Estados Unidos a México
Aumentar Reducir Enviar Nota Imprimir

MEXICO, D.F. (AGENCIAS)

La adquisición de enervantes y el tráfico de armas ha provocado la exportación anual de Estados Unidos de 730 mil piezas de alto poder al mercado informal mexicano, es decir unas dos mil diarias, alertó el director del CISAN, José Luis Valdés Ugalde.

El directivo del Centro de Investigaciones sobre América del Norte (CISAN) de la UNAM dijo que reconocer la demanda de drogas en su territorio y la existencia de un mercado negro de pistolas, granadas, subametralladoras, fusiles e incluso lanzagranadas, implica un cambio de actitud de las autoridades estadunidenses.

En la mesa "Migración, seguridad y sociedad en la relación México-Estados Unidos", realizada en el marco del Re-Encuentro Chicano 2009, el experto consideró que tras el acercamiento entre funcionarios de ambos países se puede hablar de una nueva etapa en la relación bilateral.

Esta modificación en el trato (diferente al que había en la gestión de George W. Bush) puede ser el inicio de una convergencia menos conflictiva, destacó en un comunicado.

Consideró que el problema de las drogas en la región -que provoca a Estados Unidos 35 millones de adictos- no se solucionará si no se impulsa una política social en torno a su venta y uso.

Añadió que aunque en los últimos meses se ha hablado de una posible legalización de los estupefacientes o de un programa de administración del consumo, el presidente Barack Obama negó que esas iniciativas sean factibles.

Por otro lado, consideró que tanto la migración como el Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte serán temas postergados, aunque el TLCAN sea un tópico pertinente a raíz de la suspensión del ingreso de camiones mexicanos al país vecino.

Además, la reforma migratoria deberá ser replanteada aunque haya adelantos en el rubro, como el programa de trabajadores-huésped, apuntó.

A su vez, el académico Armando Vázquez Ramos, de la Universidad Estatal de California en Long Beach, destacó que la población latina en Estados Unidos se ha diversificado en las últimas tres décadas.

Actualmente asciende a 48 millones y, de ellos, 30 son mexicanos (de estos últimos, entre seis y ocho millones no tienen documentos).

Pese a esas altas cifras no se ha creado una política integral que refleje los intereses, necesidades y el flujo continuo de personas hacia la Unión Americana, precisó.

Nota Publicada: 17/04/2009 09:37

Aprovecha puntos ciegos de la frontera con México
Cártel de Golfo trafica con armamento en Guatemala
El fiscal antidrogas señala que la banda utiliza zonas serranas para no ser detectada.

2009-04-17•M.P.

Frontera común Foto: Cuartoscuro/Archivo
La banda de narcotraficantes mexicanos conocida como Los Zetas extendió a Guatemala sus operaciones de tráfico de armas de alto poder, las cuales llevan desde México por “puntos ciegos” de la frontera común, informó el fiscal antinarco de ese país, Leonel Ruiz.

El funcionario explicó que ese grupo criminal, brazo armado del cártel del Golfo, “también se está dedicando al tráfico de armas, las cuales pasa en los puntos ciegosde la frontera” entre ambos países.

Los puntos ciegos son pasos ilegales que no cuentan con vigilancia de las autoridades fronterizas, los cuales son utilizados por grupos delictivos para traficar armas, drogas y personas.

Según Ruiz, la mayoría de armas que las fuerzas de seguridad de Guatemala incautaron en los últimos meses forman parte de arsenales que han sido traídos al país por Los Zetas.

El fiscal aseguró que el departamento de Alta Verapaz, que posee amplías extensiones montañosas y bajos niveles de vigilancia, es utilizado por la banda para traficar con el armamento.

Guatemala/EFE

AZMEX UPDATE 2 12-4-09

2011-12-12T19:11:00.000-08:00

azmex update 2   12 Apr. 2009
Overall despite U.S. media & govt. led hysteria, level of violent activity way down, partially due to Semana Santa, and of course Mex Army.
thx

Following from Milenio, Guadalajara, Jal
U.S. street gangs working for cartels in drug distribution, etc
Texas, Arizona y California, sus zonas de operación, revela el Departamento de Justicia
Pandillas, brazos del narco mexicano en EU
Los cárteles de Sinaloa, Golfo, Juárez y Tijuana reclutan a grupos violentos como la Mara Salvatrucha y Mexican Mafia para distribuir mariguana, cocaína, crack, heroína y metanfetaminas, además de traficar con armas e indocumentados.
2009-04-12•Política Milenio - Guadalajara, Jal.

La MS es uno de los grupos más violentos de Estados Unidos que asuela principalmente comunidades de California Foto: Héctor Mata/AFP
Los cárteles de Sinaloa, Golfo, Juárez y Tijuana tienen bajo su control al menos a 20 pandillas estadunidenses —consideradas las más peligrosas—, las cuales se encargan de facilitar la introducción y distribución de drogas en aquel país, revela un informe del Departamento de Justicia de EU.

El número de integrantes de estas bandas ha ido en aumento y representan una seria amenaza para las comunidades pequeñas debido a que comienzan a tomar el control de la comercialización de estupefacientes a nivel nacional, precisa el reporte.

Las organizaciones identificadas con los cárteles mexicanos son: 18th Street; Bandidos, Barrio Azteca, Black Guerrilla Family, Bloods, Crips, Florencia 13, Gangster Disciples, Hells Angels y Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos.

También Latin Kings, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Mexican Mafia, Mexikanemi, Mongols, Norteños, Sureños, Tango Blast, Texas Syndicate y Vagos.

La Mexican Mafia, por ejemplo, es una de las pandillas más viejas, pues se fundó a fines de 1950, y se presume que actualmente cuenta con 50 mil miembros, de los cuales 200 son operadores. La mayor parte de sus integrantes son de origen mexicano.

En el informe Evaluación Nacional de Amenazas de Drogas 2009, el Departamento de Justicia señala que las principales zonas de operación de las bandas se localizan en los estados fronterizos de Texas, California y Arizona, donde no sólo se dedican a traficar drogas, sino también armas de fuego e indocumentados.

Sólo en el sur de Texas, grupos como 18th Street, Mexikanemi, Mexican Mafia, Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos y Texas Syndicate transportan y distribuyen mariguana, cocaína y metanfetaminas hacia el resto del país.

Lo mismo sucede en San Diego y Los Ángeles, California, donde los integrantes de esas bandas, además de la MS-13 y los Sureños, cooperan con el cártel de Tijuana que dirige Luis Fernando Sánchez Arellano, El Alineador.

Expanden su poder

Según las autoridades estadunidenses, los cárteles mexicanos minaron la operación de bandas de origen asiático, como Asian Boys, Asian Warriors, Black Dragons, Black Star, Flying Dragons, Tiny Rascal Gangsters, Vietnam y Wah Ching.

El diagnóstico demuestra que los grupos violentos ligados a narcos mexicanos se expandieron desde el centro de las principales ciudades a zonas suburbanas y rurales, además de que “cada vez las bandas representan un amenaza para muchas comunidades más pequeñas… Las pandillas también incrementan su participación en la distribución de drogas”.

Se señala que los pandilleros se convirtieron en los principales distribuidores de drogas en las cárceles locales.

Aunque no hay datos precisos respecto del total de miembros de pandillas en Estados Unidos, un estudio realizado en 2006 por el Consejo Nacional del Centro de la Juventud de esa nación informa que en ese año había 785 mil pandilleros en las calles de todo el país, con integrantes que iban de 12 a 24 años de edad.

Un nuevo análisis efectuado el año anterior, demostró que el número de pandilleros podría ser mayor.

En agosto de 2008 se tuvo conocimiento de que 24 mil 163 personas de las 201 mil presos en Estados Unidos formaban parte de una pandilla.

Las drogas que más distribuyen estos pandilleros, por encargo de los cárteles del narcotráfico mexicanos, son la mariguana, cocaína, crack, metanfetamina y heroína.

Cabe destacar que la ola de violencia que han generado los cárteles mexicanos provocó que en noviembre pasado agentes especiales del Escuadrón SWAT, en Texas, Estados Unidos, y en otras ciudades comenzaran a instalarse en los cruces fronterizos para garantizar la seguridad de los estadunidenses.

México/Rubén Mosso

This one calling for BHO to resume ban on foriegn made semi autos, etc being imported into U.S.
Think we can expect an announcement this coming week at Latin Summit or visit to Mexico.
thx

Análisis del Centro de Políticas contra la Violencia de Washington
Contra el tráfico de armas basta una firma de Obama

2009-04-12•Política Milenio - Guadalajara, Jal.

Barack Obama puede detener el tráfico de armas hacia México y, en consecuencia, la capacidad de fuego de los cárteles sólo con el poder de su firma.

Así lo estima el Centro de Políticas contra la Violencia (CPV), una organización no lucrativa con sede en Washington que pugna por el control de armas, que en un reciente análisis (Río de hierro. La violencia armada y el tráfico ilegal de armas de fuego en la frontera entre EU y México) asegura que el presidente estadunidense tiene los recursos legales para contener el trasiego de rifles, procedentes a su vez de Europa, mediante la Ley de Control de Armas de 1968.

Añade que la Oficina Federal de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF) estadunidense puede ejercer “plenamente su autoridad legal para excluir la importación de Europa de los fusiles de asalto semiautomáticos de tipo militar y pistolas cop-killer (matapolicías), capaces de atravesar blindajes”, que actualmente está permitidos en Estados Unidos con el argumento de que tienen “fines deportivos o de caza”.

El CPV refiere que Obama tiene la facultad de instruir inmediatamente a la ATF para que detenga el ingreso a Estados Unidos de este tipo de armamento, al considerarlos armas “no deportivas”, en virtud de las disposiciones existentes en el título 18, sección 925, inciso C del Código Estados Unidos, relacionadas con la Ley de Control de Armas de 1968.

La prohibición se aplicó por primera vez en 1989, durante la administración de George Bush padre, en respuesta a la violencia generada por el tráfico de drogas y los tiroteos masivos.

El documento destaca que “esta legislación está separada de la prohibición federal de las armas de asalto (The Federal Assault Weapons Ban, que se derogó en 2004 y que prohibía la venta a civiles de ciertas armas de asalto semiautomáticas o de alto calibre), además de que no requiere una acción del Congreso para ser puesta en vigencia ni para ser modificada”.

Sin embargo, agrega que esta política fue abandonada durante la administración de George W. Bush, la cual favoreció la importación de rifles de asalto y otras armas, como la FNP90, una ametralladora de fabricación belga.

“Desafortunadamente, la ATF ha permitido que la prohibición que se aplicó en 1989 no rija, e incluso ha contribuido a crear lagunas legales para burlarla, como permitir que entren al país armas en partes y las ensamblen aquí”, sostiene el CPV.

De hecho, durante su visita a México en diciembre de 2008, la entonces secretaria de Estado de Estados Unidos, Condolezza Rice, defendió que Bush haya dejado vencer la prohibición de 1994 para la venta de armamento a civiles.

“Por naturaleza, a los traficantes de armas no les importa la ley. Así es que no importa qué leyes existan, su propósito es esquivarlas”, justificó Rice.

El centro considera que la ATF debe ser más severa en la revocación de las licencias de los distribuidores estadunidenses que vendan armamento a sabiendas de que servirá para el suministro de los narcotraficantes mexicanos.

Indica que a pesar de que la ley permite la cancelación de la licencia a un expendedor por una sola violación, la ATF “generalmente no busca la revocación a menos que un distribuidor haya tenido diversos problemas a lo largo de años de inspecciones”.

Con las actuales políticas “es posible equipar a un ejército a través del comercio civil de armas de fuego, que es lo que los cárteles mexicanos están haciendo”, expone.

This one is about children killed in the drug wars. of that, majority, 427, were involved, another 110 were caught in crossfires, and 73 were killed along with one or more parents in internal disputes

610 niños muertos en la narcoguerra

De diciembre de 2006 a marzo de 2009, en la guerra entre cárteles y en las batallas entre sicarios y fuerzas del Estado, existen otros saldos: 610 niños han muerto y al menos 3 mil 700 quedaron en la orfandad, revelan informes de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena), a los que La Jornada tuvo acceso.

De los 610 menores fallecidos, 110 cayeron víctimas de fuego cruzado durante enfrentamientos entre bandas rivales o sicarios y fuerzas del Estado; 73 fueron ejecutados en el momento en que integrantes del crimen organizado asesinaban a sus familiares; otros 427 que habían sido cooptados como sicarios han muerto en enfrentamientos contra grupos rivales, y los restos de 120 de éstos últimos, fueron enviados a la fosa común porque nadie los reclamó.
Los informes castrenses, elaborados a partir “de los reportes que envían a esta dependencia las procuradurías estatales” refieren que en lo que va de la administración del presidente Felipe Calderón 610 menores, de edades que van desde los 2 meses hasta los 16 años han muerto.
Estos son algunos ejemplos: en abril de 2007, en un rancho ganadero del municipio de Frontera Comalapa, en los límites con Guatemala, miembros de bandas dedicadas al tráfico de indocumentados, drogas y armas, asesinaron a cinco personas, dos ellas eran menores de edad, Jesús Iván Vázquez Vega, de 17 años y Fabiola Cárdenas Jacob, de 14.
La madrugada del 4 de mayo de 2007, durante un tiroteo en la colonia Florida, municipio de Ecatepec, estado de México, murieron los menores Fernando Cruz Ayala y Cristina Mendoza Rodríguez. Presentaban cuatro y diez heridas de bala respectivamente.
Un año después, en un paraje de Playas de Rosarito, Baja California, fueron localizados los cuerpos de cinco menores de edad asesinados con armas de fuego y con huellas de tortura. Las víctimas -entre ellas una mujer de 17 años-, estaban apiladas en una calle del poblado Cuero de Venados, en las inmediaciones del rancho Casián, a medio kilómetro del bulevar 2000, vialidad que une a Tijuana con Playas de Rosarito.
El 14 de Julio de 2008, en Sinaloa 12 personas fueron ejecutadas, tres de ellas eran menores de edad. Los crímenes se cometieron en la esquina del bulevar Rosales y Enrique Bunant, atrás de un centro comercial. En el sitio se encontraron más de 300 casquillos de fusiles AR-15 y AK-47. Los víctimas fueron identificadas como Melina Judith Angulo Ruiz, de 12 años; Jesús Antonio Sabredica Salazar, 17 y José Leonardo Castañeda Parra de 17.
Ese mismo mes y año, en Jalisco, seis integrantes de una familia -tres eran menores de edad- fueron ejecutados con el tiro de gracia en el interior de una casa en Ciudad Guzmán, cabecera municipal de Zapotlán el Grande. Las víctimas fueron identificadas como Roberto Bernardino Campos, de 15; Magali Bautista Campos, de 8; y Mayra Bautista Campos, de 7.
En agosto del año pasado, en la comunidad de Creel, Chihuahua, grupos de sicarios ejecutaron a 13 personas, incluyendo un niño de cuatro años de edad y otro de meses.
El 3 de enero de este año, en Tijuana, Baja California, un niño de 14 años, identificado como Alejandro Joel Arámbula Flores, y cuatro hombres fueron ejecutados y sus cuerpos abandonados en un coche.
Según los reportes oficiales, estos son los estados donde han muerto 183 menores inocentes: Chihuahua, 43; Baja California, 26; Zacatecas, 23; Tabasco, 11; Tamaulipas, 9; Michoacán, 17; Guerrero, 19; Sinaloa, 15; Durango, 7; Nuevo León, 13.
LOS HUERFANOS
Los reportes castrenses señalan que durante la administración de Felipe Calderón, al menos se han contabilizado 3 mil 700 menores en la orfandad a causa de la ejecución de sus padres.
Los informes indican: “estos 3 mil 700 menores de edad han quedado marcados sicológicamente al haber observado uno de los hechos mas traumáticos de su vida y a ello hay que agregar que han tenido que sobrellevar otro problema mayor: vivir con desconocidos o familiares para no ir a una casa hogar.

The following may or may not be directly drug related

Balacera entre sicarios, un muerto y diez lesionados
12 April, 2009 06:00 El Universal/El Diario de Sonora
Tamaño de la fuente:
Acapulco, Guerrero

Los hechos de acuerdo a información proporcionada por la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública, se registraron a las 8:10 de la mañana en el centro de la cabecera municipal de Arcelia, donde dos grupos de hombres armados que viajaban en diferentes vehículos se enfrentaron a balazos.
Durante la balacera entre ambos sicarios, quienes usaron armas de diferentes calibres, hirieron a 10 personas que transitaban por el lugar y una más murió, el cual fue identificado como José Adán Salmerón, de 26 años de edad, que presentaba varios impactos de bala calibre 39 milímetros.
Las autoridades policíacas investigan si la persona que murió durante la balacera se trata de uno de los sicarios o de los ciudadanos que transitaban por el lugar y que fue alcanzado por los proyectiles de arma de fuego.
Los heridos fueron auxiliados y llevados al hospital más cercano del municipio de Arcelia.
Los nombres de los heridos responden al nombre de Mariana Marcelina Rojas Echeverria, Rigoberto Álvarez Vargas, Gabriel Salas Vargas, Roberto Cortéz Martínez, Benito Flores Montes, Aída Salmerón Galíndez, Teresa Salas Hernández, Guadalupe Rodríguez Hernández, Celso Vázquez Alba y Antonio Macías García.
Diez grupos de la Policía estatal preventiva y municipal de Arcelia realizan operativos por las comunidades aledañas en la búsqueda de los grupos armados.
Sujetos armados ejecutan a hombre en su casa
Por otra parte, un grupo de sujetos armados arribaron al domicilio de Onelio Arellano Palacios, de 50 años de edad, a quien ejecutaron de dos a balazos en el cuello con pistola calibre 39 milímetros.
Los hechos ocurrieron en el municipio de San Miguel Totolapan en el barrio de San Pablo, en la Tierra Caliente, alrededor de las 1:00 horas.

This one lists the pistol;

Lesiona a adolescente con balazo en la cabeza
12 April, 2009 06:00 Maclovio Osorio González/El Diario de Sonora
Tamaño de la fuente:
    Arma que fue asegurada.
Luego de lesionar con un balazo en la cabeza a menor de edad José Luis Rodríguez Cuevas, de 43 Años de edad fue detenido por elementos de la Policía Judicial del Estado en coordinación con seguridad pública.

Magdalena de Kino, Sonora

Los hechos ocurrieron al filo de las 22:40 horas cuando en el C4 se tuvo conocimiento que en la calle Enrique Woolfolk entre avenida Niños Héroes y Juárez, se escenificaba una riñas.
Hasta el lugar se desplazaron las unidades 04,06, 10 y 11 de seguridad publica así como elementos de la Policía Estatal Investigadora, al mando de Rafael Sandoval Vega , quienes al llegar al lugar encontraron al joven Yovani Azueres Moreno de 15 años de edad, quien presentaba una herida en la cabeza producida por proyectil de arma de fuego.
El menor fue lesionado cuando abordaban un vehículo de la marca Lincoln, modelo atrasado, color blanco, y que era conducido por Vladimir Acosta Gutiérrez alias “el chiquillo”.
Una vez que los efectivos policiacos llevaron a cabo las pesquisas se logró la detención del presunto responsable,   José Luis Rodríguez Cuevas de 43 años de edad, domiciliado en arroyo de la madera sin número en la colonia del mismo nombre.
Así mismo se le aseguró una pistola de calibre 9 milímetros, marca ruger P89 sturm, south port con usa 91315652, misa que traía un tiro en la recámara y 10 en el cargador mas una caja con 22 tiros de 9 milímetros y varios cartuchos útiles de 3.30.
Una vez detenido fue ingresado a la cárcel pública preventiva y puesto a disposición de José Luis Espinoza Soto, agente del ministerio publico investigador del fuero común para que sea quien deslinde responsabilidades.
Hasta el momento se desconoce el estado de salud del joven que sigue internado en el nosocomio recibiendo atención médica.

Following from El Tiempo, Chihuahua, Chih list of "assault weapons"

echa: 2009-04-12

Armas y droga son localizados en dos autos abandonados en Juárez

Tres rifles calibres 2mm y tres pistolas del mismo calibre fueron encontradas ocultas en los vehículos abandonados en las calles Nicaragua y 20 de Noviembre en ciudad Juárez.

09:22:00

Siendo aproximadamente las 11:30 horas del día 10 de abril del 2009, personal Militar perteneciente al 9/o. Batallón de Infantería, al realizar patrullajes en la calle Nicaragua, esquina con 20 de Noviembre de la Colonia el Barreal, localizaron dos vehículos abandonados sin que hubiera ninguna persona abordo o cerca, los cuales al ser revisados se aseguraron con lo siguiente:

DROGA ASEGURADA.

•    9 paquetes confeccionados con cinta canela y empaquetados al alto vació y 10 paquetes confeccionados con cinta de aislar, color negro, todos de forma rectangular y de diferentes tamaños, conteniendo todos ellos una hierba seca con las características propias de la marihuana, con un peso de aproximadamente 9 kilos 300 gramos.

VEHÍCULOS ASEGURADOS.

•    1 Vehiculo Marca Chevrolet, Línea Cavalier, color rojo, Modelo 1993, sin placas de circulación, numero de serie 1G1JC14T6P7206844, con reporte de robo

•    1 Vehiculo Marca Ford, Línea Pasenger, color azul, Modelo 1993, placas de circulación KRJ-225 del estado de nuevo México, numero de serie KNJPT05H4P6146720, con reporte de robo.

ARMAS.

•    1 rifle calibre .22 marca C.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., modelo 46 M, sin matricula, abastecido con 1 cartucho utíl

•    1 rifle calibre .22 marca C.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., modelo 151 M, sin matricula, abastecido con 1 cartucho util.

•    1 un rifle calibre .22 marca Rémington, modelo 510, sin matricula, abastecido con 1 cartucho util.

•    1 revolver calibre .38 especial, marca Smith & Wesson, modelo 38-2, matricula BKY7022, abastecida con 5 cartuchos útiles.

•    1 pistola calibre .32, marca Davis Industries, modelo P-32, matricula P056117, con un cargador abastecido con 5 cartuchos útiles.

•    1 revolver, calibre .22, marca RG IND., modelo RG 14S, matricula Z068788, abastecido con cinco cartuchos útiles.

CARTUCHOS.

•    1 bolsa con 10 cartuchos útiles calibre .38 especial.

•    1 bolsa con 30 cartuchos útiles calibre .22.

•    1 estuche de plástico con 62 cartuchos útiles, calibre .22.

Cabe mencionar que de la cantidad de droga asegurada, se hubieran obtenido un total de 4,650 dosis de marihuana, con un costo de $ 50.00 cada una y un valor total en el mercado negro de $ 232,500.00 M.N.

AZMEX UPDATE 12-4-09

2011-12-12T19:09:00.001-08:00

Senators to hear Ariz. officials on menace of border violence
by Jahna Berry - Apr. 12, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Members of the U.S. Senate will be in Phoenix next week to hear how border violence is impacting the region.

On April 20, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will hear testimony from Gov. Jan Brewer, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and officials from Arizona communities near the Mexico border.

Drug violence has surged in Mexico. More than 6,000 people died in drug-related violence in Mexico in 2008, more than double the number from the previous year. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, a former Arizona governor, plans to send more than 100 federal agents to the border to help combat the wave of violence.

Some officials also say that rampant drug-related kidnappings in Phoenix are tied to the escalating brutality in Mexico.

The Phoenix field hearing is the latest in a string of similar border hearings held by Congress in recent weeks.

Next week's meeting is special because senators can talk to people with firsthand knowledge in a state that's impacted the most, said Mark Buse, Sen. John McCain's chief of staff. McCain sits on the committee and will attend the hearing with the committee's chairman, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman.

McCain "thought it was very important to hold a hearing near the border, out in Arizona, where we can hear from . . . everyone who has been affected, everyone who has thoughts on the matter," Buse said.

Some hearing witnesses, including Gordon and state Attorney General Terry Goddard, have already testified before Congress. Buse said their insights were still helpful.

The others on the list are Nogales Mayor Octavio Garcia Von Borstel, Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris, Jr., Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik and Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever.

After opening statements from senators on the panel, witnesses will testify and committee members will ask questions. Like most senate hearings, the public can't comment or ask questions.

The public can submit testimony to McCain's office, which could be added to the committee's record later, Buse said.

It's unclear what action the senators plan to take after the hearing. The panel is gathering information, so McCain doesn't have specific proposals yet, Buse said.

"Obviously everything is on the table right now," the chief of staff said. "The senator believes that this issue is not going to go away."

Mexican official: Weapons from US fuel drug war
Associated Press
Posted: 04/12/2009 09:50:36 AM MDT

WASHINGTON -- Mexico's ambassador to the United States says shutting down the flow of money and weapons from the U.S. into Mexico is key to dealing with the violent drug cartels in his country.
Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan says money and guns provide the drug cartels with the means to corrupt, to bribe and to kill.
Mexican authorities maintain that 90 percent of the weapons used by the drug cartels come from the U.S.
President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Mexico this week before attending the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad.
The Obama administration is taking several steps to provide more assistance to Mexico in its fight against drug violence.
Sarukhan appeared Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation."

AZMEX UPDATE 10-4-09

2011-12-12T19:08:00.001-08:00

azmex 10 apr 09

Note: This could be a serious problem, especially the part where U.S. production would be limited
Also, they keep repeating the "90%" big lie
thx

México
Busca Davidow ratificar convención sobre armas

En Miami se encuentra una fábrica importante de municiones de armas. Foto: AFP
Organización Editorial Mexicana
10 de abril de 2009

AFP

Washington, D.C - El Gobierno estadunidense piensa pedirle al Congreso que ratifique una convención interamericana firmada en 1997 que regula la venta y tráfico de armas ligeras, informó el consejero presidencial Jeffrey Davidow.

La Convención Interamericana contra la fabricación y el tráfico ilícito de armas de fuego, municiones, explosivos y otros materiales (CIFTA) es uno de esos tratados que Estados Unidos ha firmado y nunca ratificado, explicó Davidow, consejero especial para la Cumbre de las Américas, durante un debate en un centro académico en Washington.

Creo que hay muchas posibilidades de que sea sometido para ratificación (ante el Congreso) en un futuro muy corto, añadió.

El tráfico de armas ligeras estadunidenses es uno de los grandes temas de preocupación para las autoridades mexicanas, dentro de su lucha contra los cárteles del narcotráfico.

El 90% de las armas que México decomisa en sus operaciones contra el crimen organizado provienen de Estados Unidos, según datos oficiales.

La idea de una convención que limite la producción y exportación de armas y explosivos en América, al estilo del tratado internacional contra las minas personales, fue propuesta precisamente por México en 1996.

La Convención fue elaborada al año siguiente, en el seno de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA), y desde 1997 ha sido firmada por 33 países, pero sólo ratificada por 19.

AZMEX UPDATE 9-4-09

2011-12-12T19:07:00.001-08:00

azmex 9 april 2009

The following just made Fox news this morning

Principal | Nacional | Jefe de Zetas muere en enfrentamiento en Zacatecas
Jefe de Zetas muere en enfrentamiento en Zacatecas
09 April, 2009 16:58 El Universal/El Diario de Sonora
Tamaño de la fuente:
Ciudad de México.
Israel Nava, presunto jefe de Los Zetas en Oaxaca y ex integrante de las fuerzas especiales del Ejército de Guatemala, conocidos como Kaibilies, murió durante un enfrentamiento armado con agentes de la Policía Federal en una casona del municipio de Fresnillo, Zacatecas, donde otros dos fallecieron y ocho polícías resultaron heridos.

Conocido como El Ostión, se presume que este individuo fue guardaespaldas de Miguel Treviño Morales, alías El 40, quien sería el encargado para la organización del Cártel del Golfo, de recibir los cargamentos de cocaína y mariguana.

De acuerdo con un comunicado de la Policía Federal, cuando un grupo de agentes acudieron a un llamado en la madrugada del jueves que alertaba sobre la presencia de gente armada en la calle Gómez Farías, entre 2ª calle de Arteaga y calle Cruz Roja, fueron recibidos a tiros por los hombres que se encontraban en el interior de un inmueble.

Esto originó un enfrentamiento que dejó tres sicarios muertos, uno de ellos presuntamente sería Nava, mientras uno más quedó detenido y fue identificado como Alfonso Serrano Silva, originario de Oaxaca.

Nava estaba identificado como el responsable del acopio, reguardo y mantenimiento del armamento y explosivos al servicio del grupo paramilitar conocido como Los Zetas, y se contaba con información de que fungía como jefe de esta organización en Oaxaca. El Ostión, es considerado un lugarteniente bajo línea directa de Miguel Treviño Morales, alías El 40 y Heriberto Lazcano, alías El Lazca, desertor del ejército y actual líder de la banda.

De acuerdo a reportes de inteligencia citados por la PFP, Nava está identificado el organizador y ejecutor de los ataques a dos comandancias de policía del puerto de Acapulco, en febrero de 2007; en donde perdieron la vida siete personas; cuatro policías ministeriales, dos secretarias y un agente del ministerio público.

En la casa donde quedaron los cuerpos de los pistoleros, la policía federal aseguró 8 armas largas, 2 armas cortas, 43 cargadores para fusil AR- 15, 8 cargadores para AK-47, 8 cargadores 9 mm, 1 cargador 40 mm, 6 cargadores calibre 8 súper, 5 cargadores calibre 45 mm, 6 chalecos balísticos, 6 fornituras, 4 uniformes tácticos, 3 radios y 4 vehículos, uno de ellos blindado.

AZMEX UPDATE 6-4-09

2011-12-12T19:06:00.001-08:00

azmex update 6 apr 2009

Sorry, no time to translate

Decomisa Ejército arsenal y droga en Namiquipa

De la Redacción
Lunes, 06 de Abril de 2009
Un arsenal compuesto por más de 23 armas largas y cortas, cartuchos y cargadores, cinco vehículos y droga con valor de cinco millones de pesos, fue asegurado por elementos del Ejército Nacional en el municipios de Namiquipa, en un paraje cercano a la ranchería Casa Avante.
En un comunicado de prensa, la Milicia informó que miembros del 2/o Batallón de Fusileros Paracaidistas localizaron los vehículos abandonados a dos kilómetros del camino que conduce hasta el poblado en mención, presumiendo que los delincuentes fueron alertados sobre la presencia del Ejército Nacional.
Se trata de cinco unidades: Una Dodge Ram blanca 2004; una Dodge Ram azul 2002; una Yukon blanca 2004; un Grand Prix gris 2007 y un Ford Fiesta azul modelo 2003, todos sin matricula visible.
Había además, 314 paquetes o ladrillos de marihuana con peso de 208 kilos 380 gramos, con valor en el mercado negro por 5 millones de pesos, según estimaciones oficiales.
Con respecto al armamento localizado, el Ejército Mexicano dio a conocer que había: 10 rifles de diversas marcas y calibre, la mayoría .22 Wichester; una carabina .22 Ruger; dos subametralladoras calibre .9 milímetros; seis revólveres calibres .38 , .22 y .357 de diferentes marcas y modelos; y cinco pistolas calibre 4.5/ .177 (fulminante y municiones), .9 milímetros, .357 milímetros y .22 milímetros, de diferentes marcas y modelos, todas abastecidas con cargadores llenos.
Además, lograron el aseguramiento de 2 mil 33 cartuchos para diversos calibres, así como uniformes tipo militar, otros con la leyenda “PJF”, chamarras, cascos tácticos color negro, chalecos antibalas, miras telescópicas, binoculares, fornituras, fundas para pistolas, entre otros artículos de uso operativo.
Finalmente, los militares aseguraron 5 radios de comunicación, con sus respectivos cargadores, así como 10 baterías, 4 eliminadores de corriente y una base para cargar los equipos.

Se enfrentan militares vs presuntos narcos
Operación Conjunta Chihuahua se efectuó en el Ejido 6 de enero
De la Redacción
Lunes, 06 de Abril de 2009
Ciudad Juárez, Chih.- La Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional dio a conocer este día que proximadamente las 03:30 horas de la madrugada del 5 de abril del 2009, personal perteneciente al 20/o. Regimiento de Caballería Motorizado, al efectuar patrullajes en la brecha del ejido denominado “SEIS DE ENERO”, que conduce del entronque PALOMAS a la minera “BISMARK”, desplazándose con rumbo a la citada minera y aproximadamente cinco kilómetros antes de llegar, observaron dos camionetas, una tipo pick-up de color blanco y otra cerrada de color verde; dichos automotores se acercaron al vehiculo militar a una distancia de veinte metros, por lo que el personal militar les marcó el alto mediante el uso de señalamientos y luz de lámparas y sin detener su marcha dieron vuelta en “U” con el objeto de regresar por el camino que venían abriendo fuego en contra del personal militar, motivo por el cual dichos elementos repelieron la agresión accionando sus armas, las camionetas trataron de darse a la fuga por la brecha que lleva a la minera “BISMARK”, iniciando una persecución, la camioneta pick-up blanco se salió de la brecha y se impactó en una zanja, mientras que la camioneta verde continuó su huida hasta perderse en la brecha sin lograr darle alcance; del vehiculo accidentado salió corriendo un hombre, quien trató de escapar pero fue detenido por el personal militar, que aseguró lo siguiente:

Civil asegurado
Patricio Ramos Román

Droga asegurada
Acomodados en las paredes de la caja de la camioneta, se encontraron 100 paquetes de forma rectangular confeccionados con cinta canela, conteniendo todos ellos una hierba seca con las características propias de la mariguana, con un peso de aproximadamente 48 kilos 800 gramos.

Vehículo asegurado
Marca Dodge, línea RAM 1500, color blanco, sin placas de circulación, número de serie 1B7HC16Y4TJ193684.

Armamento
Pistola calibre 9 mm, marca Star, sin modelo, matricula 1806163, con 1 cargador abastecido con 7 cartuchos útiles al calibre.
Fusil AK-47 calibre 7.62x39, marca Norinco, modelo MAK-90, sin matricula, con 1 cargador abastecido con 26 cartuchos útiles.
De la cantidad de droga asegurada, se hubieran obtenido un total de 2,800 dosis de mariguana, con un costo de $50.00 cada una, con un valor total en el mercado negro de $1,220,000.00 M.N.

AZMEX UPDATE 5-4-09

2011-12-12T19:05:00.001-08:00

azmex update Sunday 5 April, 2009

Note: some of these do not necessarily have direct connection to drug wars
local feuds also play a big part

Ejecutan a 14 personas en Durango
En Michoacán, ejecutaron a siete; cuatro de ellos con el tiro de gracia y dos narcomensajes
SUN
Domingo, 05 de Abril de 2009
Distrito Federal-- A unas horas de que el gobernador de Durango demandó "blindaje federal" para enfrentar la violencia en la entidad, un levantón masivo se registró en el municipio de Suchil, cuando un grupo armado a bordo de al menos seis camionetas privaron de la libertad a 14 personas, entre hombres, mujeres y menores de edad, en el rancho El Alemán. Además, en el rancho Temazcal se llevaron a otras cuatro personas. En total, sumaron 18 los plagiados en esa demarcación. Los hechos se registraron la tarde del pasado jueves; sin embargo, fue confirmado hasta ayer cuando personal de la Dirección Estatal de Investigación y elementos de la Décima Zona Militar acudieron para realizar la investigación correspondiente. Por otra parte, Michoacán vivió uno de sus fines de semana más violentos, al ocurrir en unas cuantas horas siete ejecuciones. Casi al amanecer, a unos 150 metros del 82 Batallón de Infantería del Ejército, con sede en Lázaro Cárdenas, se encontró el cuerpo sin vida de un hombre a la orilla de la carretera. Casi al mismo tiempo, en Apatzingán, elementos de la Policía Municipal y fuerzas federales hallaron cuatro hombres ejecutados con el tiro de gracia y dos narcomensajes, uno de los cuales señala: "Señores de la autoridad: la lucha entre La Familia y Los Zetas es a muerte. Ustedes no se metan. Que se cuiden los que apoyan a Los Zetas". Por otro lado, la Procuraduría de Justicia dio a conocer que en la capital del estado se encontró una persona ejecutada; otra más en el municipio de Tacámbaro. En Sinaloa, en menos de 20 horas y en diversos puntos, seis personas fueron ejecutadas. En Guerrero fueron reportadas tres víctimas; dos estaban en la cajuela de un taxi, en Zihuatanejo. En Zacatecas, en el municipio de Chalchihuites, hallaron los cadáveres de dos jóvenes con impactos de bala.

Following looks like drug biz.

Hallan cadáver con mensaje de La Familia Michoacana
04 April, 2009 10:08 El Universal/El Diario de Sonora
Tamaño de la fuente:
Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán.-
Por cuarto día consecutivo en el puerto michoacano continuó el hallazgo de personas ejecutadas y con mensajes de advertencia de que eso les puede pasar a los que apoyen a los Z, firmado por La Familia Michoacana.

Alrededor de las 5:30 horas, personal militar que se dirigía a las instalaciones del 82 Batallón de Infantería del Ejército Mexicano, ubicado sobre el libramiento Sicartsa-La Orilla, se percataron de que a unos 150 metros del acceso principal de ese cuartel, se encontraba el cuerpo sin vida de un individuo, a la orilla de la carretera y frente a un negocio de herrería, por lo que dieron aviso a sus superiores.

De inmediato jefes y personal de tropa del 82 Batallón de Infantería, acompañados de agentes de la Policía Federal Preventiva que utilizan esas instalaciones como base, acordonaron el área. También llegaron elementos de la X Zona Naval Militar, así como patrullas de la Policía Municipal con varios uniformados, quienes dieron aviso del hecho al Agente del Ministerio Público del fuero común en turno, quien llegó para realizar el levantamiento del cadáver.

Se trata de un individuo de entre unos 25 a 30 años de edad, al cual a simple vista se le notaba el llamado "tiro de gracia" en la cabeza. Estaba vendado de los ojos con cinta canela, tenía cercenado el dedo pulgar de la mano derecha y estaba semi cubierto con una funda de asiento de automóvil.

Vestía bermudas de mezclilla de color gris-azul y estaba descalzo, solamente con los calcetines puestos.

El cadáver, en calidad de desconocido, fue enviado al Servicio Médico Forense para la práctica de la necropsia de ley correspondiente.

Desde la madrugada del miércoles 1 de abril a la de este sábado 4, suman ya ocho personas las ejecutadas en el puerto michoacano, entre ellas el ex alcalde priista de este lugar, Nicolás León Hernández, que este fin de semana fue sepultado en un panteón de la localidad.

“Levantan” a catorce en Durango; violencia recrudece en Michoacán
05 April, 2009 06:44 SUN/El Diario de Sonora
Tamaño de la fuente:
México, DF
Cuando un grupo armado a bordo de al menos seis camionetas privaron de la libertad a 14 personas, entre hombres, mujeres y menores de edad, en el rancho El Alemán. Además, en el rancho Temazcal se llevaron a otras cuatro personas. En total, sumaron 18 los plagiados en esa demarcación.
Los hechos se registraron la tarde del pasado jueves; sin embargo, fue confirmado hasta este sábado cuando personal de la Dirección Estatal de Investigación y elementos de la Décima Zona Militar acudieron para realizar la investigación correspondiente.
Por otra parte, Michoacán vivió uno de sus fines de semana más violentos, al ocurrir en unas cuantas horas siete ejecuciones.
Casi al amanecer, a unos 150 metros del 82 Batallón de Infantería del Ejército, con sede en Lázaro Cárdenas, se encontró el cuerpo sin vida de un hombre a la orilla de la carretera.
Casi al mismo tiempo, en Apatzingán, elementos de la Policía Municipal y fuerzas federales hallaron cuatro hombres ejecutados con el tiro de gracia y dos narcomensajes, uno de los cuales señala: “Señores de la autoridad: la lucha entre La Familia y Los Zetas es a muerte. Ustedes no se metan. Que se cuiden los que apoyan a Los Zetas”.
Por otro lado, la Procuraduría de Justicia dio a conocer que en la capital del estado se encontró una persona ejecutada; otra más en el municipio de Tacámbaro.
En Sinaloa, en menos de 20 horas y en diversos puntos, seis personas fueron ejecutadas.
La ola de violencia en Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, dejó tres muertes en las últimas horas, entre ellas dos mujeres.
Con esos dos crímenes llega a 25 el número de femenicidios registrados en el presente año en la ciudad fronteriza. Otras tres personas fueron asesinadas en los municipios Aldama, Cuauh-témoc y en la capital del estado.
En Guerrero fueron reportadastres víctimas; dos estaban en la cajuela de un taxi, en Zihuatanejo.
En Zacatecas, en el municipio de Chalchihuites, hallaron los cadáveres de dos jóvenes con impactos de bala.

La PGR intenta determinar el uso que pretende darle, indica la SIEDO
Cártel de Sinaloa, detrás del robo de material explosivo
Recientemente ha habido una serie de hurtos armados a almacenes, indican.

2009-04-05•M.P.

El cártel de Sinaloa está detrás del robo de material explosivo de una empresa minera trituradora de piedra en Durango, según se desprende de la indagatoria que realiza la Subprocuraduría de Investigación Especializada en Delincuencia Organizada.

La Procuraduría General de la República trata de determinar el uso que pretende darle esa organización del narcotráfico a los explosivos que fueron hurtados con violencia por varios sujetos armados.

En febrero la Oficina de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos de Estados Unidos emitió un aviso a todos los integrantes de la industria de explosivos para que implementaran mayores medidas de seguridad ante el robo de material a mano armada en almacenes ubicados cerca de la frontera con México, a fin de impedir “que los terroristas y los que tienen la intención criminal de acceder a materiales explosivos”, los consigan.

El organismo advirtió que “recientemente ha habido una serie de robos armados de lugares de almacenamiento de explosivos en México, a lo largo de la frontera suroeste de Estados Unidos, por lo que desea recordar a todos los licenciatarios y permisionarios federales de explosivos la importancia de la seguridad en sus lugares de almacenamiento”.

La PGR informó ayer que un juez federal dictó auto de formal prisión contra tres presuntos integrantes de una célula del Cártel de Sinaloa que opera en Durango y Coahuila, quienes están relacionados con el robo de material explosivo en una trituradora de piedra.

Se trata de Mauro Murbato Montellano, El Chemo, Juan Pablo Gloria Pacheco, El Juan, e Israel Gloria Pachecho, El Isra, quienes serán enjuiciados como probables responsables de los delitos de posesión de armas de fuego y cartuchos de uso exclusivo del Ejército, así como almacenamiento sin permiso de explosivos y artificios regulados por la Ley Federal de Armas de Fuego y Explosivos.

Los indiciados fueron detenidos el 18 de febrero pasado por elementos del Ejército, en el paraje “El Picacho”, del municipio de Torreón, Coahuila, mientras custodiaban los explosivos robados por miembros del cártel de Sinaloa.

El 17 de febrero un grupo armado ingresó con camionetas en la compañía minera trituradora de piedra Cribissa, del municipio de Lerdo, de donde sustrajeron 20 kilogramos de material

explosivo, un delito por el que las autoridades federales iniciaron la averiguación previa PGR/SIEDO/UEITA/021/2009

Operativo del Ejército en Sinaloa

Más de nueve kilos de explosivos plásticos y cargadores de diferentes calibres fueron asegurados por elementos del Ejército en Culiacán, Sinaloa.

La vocería del Operativo Conjunto-Culiacán-Navolato-Guamúchil-Mazatlán informó que el material fue localizado en una bodega ubicada en andador Narciso y Brasiles.

El sitio fue detectado en un operativo realizado por elementos del 24 Regimiento de Caballería Motorizado, en atención a denuncias anónimas.

El personal castrense decomiso una camioneta Chevrolet Express Van, modelo 2008 y un auto tanque para gas, con capacidad de 47 mil 500 litros.

Se localizaron 14 envoltorios de pólvora negra, cuatro tubos y dos envoltorios con explosivo P.E. 4, el cual, se dijo, es explosivo plástico británico de uso militar.

De igual manera incautaron un tubo con trinitrotolueno, TNT, una bolsa de ixtle con material explosivo ANFO la cual es usado en minas y 17 tramos de cable coaxial.

Se presume que con ello grupos de narcotraficantes pretendian realizar ataque terroristas.

Con información de Iván Pedraza.

México. Ignacio Alzaga

AZMEX STARR COUNTY 2-4-09

2011-12-12T19:04:00.001-08:00

MEXICO UNDER SIEGE
On the borderline of good and evil
The people of Starr County, Texas, aren't shocked much by the drug-related arrests of a sheriff and other prominent citizens. With Mexico as a close neighbor, it comes with the territory.
By Scott Kraft
7:24 PM PDT, April 2, 2009
Reporting from Rio Grande City, Texas -- When the Starr County sheriff was led away in handcuffs for accepting bribes from a bail bondsman back in 1998, the county pinned his star on his chief deputy, Reymundo "Rey" Guerra. It wasn't long before Guerra was restoring the shine to the badge.

Unlike his predecessor, Guerra was affable and approachable, a beefy man with a gray-flecked mustache who rarely carried a gun. He and his wife were regulars at the peach-brick Catholic church in tiny Rio Grande City. When the city needed a favor, the mayor said, "I could always just pick up the phone and call Rey." The county judge, a close friend, said, "You couldn't ask for a better person."

Guerra coasted to two election victories and was unopposed for a third in November. A souvenir from the campaign remains on a billboard on the edge of town: "Starr County has a sheriff. Re-elect Reymundo 'Rey' Guerra."

But, somewhere along the way, something went wrong. Some here lay the blame on the frailty of human nature; it could happen anywhere, they say. Others, though, blame the county itself: a smugglers' Shangri-La with deep cross-border ties and tight-lipped residents.

As the billboard says, Starr County has a sheriff. But he's no longer Rey Guerra.

Starr County shares 78 rugged miles of the U.S. border with Mexico, wedged between one nation's ravenous demand for drugs and another's bountiful supply. The illegal drug trade blows across here like the hot winds that rattle the mesquite thickets, carrying shipments of cocaine, marijuana and other drugs to points north. A recent crackdown on drug trafficking in Mexico has kicked up that wind, and U.S. authorities report drug seizures are up significantly across southern Texas.

Starr County has more in common with its neighbors to the south than to the north. The population, at 80,000 and growing, is 97.5% Latino, and Spanish is the first language for most residents.

But unlike in Mexico, and bucking the worldwide trend, local businesses in Starr County are booming. Unemployment is half what it was a decade ago, sales tax revenue is up and the median income is rising. New stores, restaurants and theaters have been opened, and a new high school is under construction.

Illicit gains from the drug trade seem to play at least some role in that renaissance.

"Certainly, the underground economy exists and affects our stores," said Ruben Villarreal, the energetic mayor of Rio Grande City, the county seat. "But how much? No one can gauge it."

Since the Rio Grande became an international border in 1848, contraband has poured across the water, into and through Starr County. Whether the product was tequila, cattle or dope, smuggling was part of the local landscape, like cowboy hats and giant belt buckles.

"People come and spend money over here, and if they have a bagful of 20s, we don't ask where they got it," said Alonzo Alvarez, a retired high school teacher who had Guerra in his history class back in the 1970s. "That's not our job. This kind of thing has been around here for years."

Ralph G. Diaz, special agent in charge of the FBI office in San Antonio, has worked this patch of border off and on for three decades. "It's almost cultural," he explained. "Throughout their entire lives, folks have watched this kind of activity pass through their communities, basically unimpeded. They come to accept it."

The enormous amounts of money involved have been a particular temptation for at least a few who wear uniforms here and elsewhere along the 2,000-mile border.

The drug traffickers "feel they can buy law enforcement," said Tim Johnson, the U.S. attorney for southern Texas. "And sometimes they can."

Sheriff Guerra's troubles appear to stem from his friendship with Jose Carlos Hinojosa, who lived across the border in Miguel Aleman and, at 31, is much younger than the 52-year-old sheriff. It's not clear how they met, but the FBI has identified Hinojosa as a member of Los Zetas, the paramilitary enforcement arm of the Gulf cartel, which is one of Mexico's most violent drug-trafficking organizations and controls drug transshipment corridors in the Rio Grande Valley.

Three years ago, one of Guerra's deputies received an unusual request from the sheriff. Guerra asked the deputy to give Hinojosa, whom he introduced as an investigator for Mexican law enforcement, the name of an informant who had tipped off authorities to a drug stash house, according to the FBI. Suspicious, the deputy quietly reported the incident to federal authorities, who folded it into an ongoing investigation of the Gulf cartel. A year later, the FBI began monitoring both Hinojosa's and the sheriff's cellphones.

In October, the U.S. attorney's office issued a 19-count indictment that accuses Hinojosa, Guerra and two dozen others of conspiring to smuggle thousands of pounds of marijuana and cocaine through Starr County. Among those charged were a postal worker, a construction foreman and a local businessman who was a member of the county hospital's board of trustees and of the county tax assessment board.

Guerra was accused of removing obstacles to the drug-smuggling operation in exchange for thousands of dollars, in $5,000 cash payments, as well as gifts of rib-eye steak and shrimp. In one case, the indictment alleges, Guerra helped produce fake lease documents for a house where the cartel was keeping marijuana and cocaine with a street value of about $800,000.

In telephone conversations taped by the authorities, a voice identified as that of Guerra referred to Hinojosa's associatesas sobrinos, or nephews, and they called him tio, uncle, according to the FBI. He warned Hinojosa that there were "birds on the wire" and that their phones might be tapped.

Toni Treviño, an assistant U.S. attorney in Texas, said Guerra's help for Hinojosa, "who is not a run-of-the-mill drug trafficker," had endangered the sheriff's fellow law enforcement officers and "put the interests of his sobrinos above the interests of those who depend on him in this community." She told a judge at a bond hearing that Guerra used his position to help the Gulf cartel "operate almost unfettered in the Starr County area."

Guerra's attorney, Philip H. Hilder, a former federal prosecutor and onetime area coordinator of the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, contends that the sheriff believed Hinojosa was working for "legitimate Mexican law enforcement." He argues that his client was a victim of bad blood between local and federal authorities.

"Let's just say there is a lot of mistrust, and I think that a certain amount of friction may have led to Mr. Guerra being targeted in this case," Hilder said.

A trial date has been set for May. If convicted of conspiracy to possess marijuana and cocaine with intent to distribute and two related charges, Guerra could be sentenced to a maximum of life in prison and a $4-million fine.

Guerra has been free on $100,000 bond since Christmas Eve. He is confined to his ranch home on a lovingly landscaped estate of cactus, mesquite and palm trees at the bend of a gravel road here. A grand archway at the property entrance bears his family name, in tall capital letters, and a large Texas star made of pebbles is embedded in the concrete driveway. Guerra's movements are monitored by an electronic ankle bracelet, and he is forbidden from receiving visitors or talking on the telephone.

The arrest of prominent citizens accused of being involved in the drug trade doesn't really shock folks in Starr County that much anymore; it's part of living on the border. Though "the good people far, far outweigh the bad people," as the mayor put it, it is not unusual for a federal indictment to include a member of the Chamber of Commerce or a person connected to the county's elite.

Mario Mascorro, another defendant in the Guerra case, was a member of the county hospital board, his name set in gold-colored letters on a plaque next to the front door. Mascorro was also involved in a business deal with the county administrator, among others, to purchase FM radio frequencies.

Still, the news of Guerra's arrest was unsettling for the people of Rio Grande City, a community of 17,000 on its namesake river. Civic leaders tried to square the charges with the man they knew -- a lifelong resident, the husband of a librarian and lay leader at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

"I find it very hard to believe that some of these charges placed against him are true," said Judge Eloy Vera, the county administrator.

Guerra "didn't live the life of Riley here, ever," said Alvarez, the retired teacher, who remains close to Guerra. "He was a local kid with a high school education who made good. My personal opinion is that he's an honest person, and they don't have a case against him."

Guerra went to services every Sunday at Immaculate Conception, nestled in a leafy area next to the county courthouse. The pastor, Amador Garza, ministers to a flock of 5,000 families and oversees the church elementary school. (Among those indicted with Guerra were the fathers of five pupils at the school, he said.)

"It takes a lot not to despair," Father Garza said the other day with a sigh. "I have not forsaken him. He is still my friend and parishioner. I still see his wife every day at mass. But personally, and professionally as well, I think the full weight of the law should come down on him if he did this."

Like Guerra, Garza grew up on the border. Over the last decade in Starr County, he has railed against the drug trade -- and accused city, county and school officials of looking the other way.

Garza addressed an open message to drug traffickers from the pulpit recently. "I hope you are living comfortably with your families because you are destroying the very fabric of other families," he said. Later, in private, he added: "We've already lost the border to the Gulf cartel."

In fact, the priest often complained to Guerra that local officials were either willfully ignorant or in the pocket of the cartels. "We had some differences of opinion about that, and I was very direct with him," Garza said. "He always heard me out."

The Starr County sheriff and his 39 deputies work out of a windowless rectangular bunker on the highest point of land in Rio Grande City. Seven Tahoe SUVs, purchased as part of a federal grant, were parked on the street outside recently, waiting to be stenciled with the sheriff insignia. Another new gift from Washington, a mobile "sky box" with high-tech equipment to monitor the border, was on display at the Starr County Fair, near a dusty ring where judges handed out ribbons to children parading their goats.

Sgt. Ismael Sandoval, head of special operations for the sheriff's office, pondered the legacy of his former boss. "What kind of sheriff was he?" the sergeant said. "We don't want to hurt the man because as far as we know he hasn't done anything."

He paused.

"All I can tell you is he was a real good sheriff."

Guerra's predecessor, Sheriff Eugenio "Gene" Falcon Jr., served just under two years in prison for taking bribes to refer inmates to a bail bondsman who was an FBI informant. Falcon now works as an administrative assistant to Judge Vera.

"I was raked over the coals pretty good for that," Vera said. "But we all deserve a second chance."

Guerra resigned immediately after his arrest. His name remained on the November ballot, unopposed, and he officially stepped down a second time after the election.

Now Rene Fuentes, Guerra's chief deputy, wears the silver star on his starched white shirt.

scott.kraft@latimes.com

AZMEX NARCO ARMS 1-4-09

2011-12-12T19:03:00.001-08:00

Legal U.S. Arms Exports May Be Source of Narco Syndicates Rising Firepower

Wednesday, 01 April 2009
SecurityCornerMexico.com Recommended READING: Mexico's Perception of the United States' Corruption in the following areas: Defense Department, GANG BANGERS IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES (Video by You Tube) The War on Drugs, ILLEGAL DRUGS CONSUMPTION, Health Care, Public Safety, Police, Enforcers on the WRONG Side of the Law (You Tube Video) Politics, Academics, Corporate Practices, Sex, Journalism, Sports, with "gate" suffix, Televangelist. Sex in the Catholic Church, Olympic games

Posted by Bill Conroy - March 29, 2009

More Than $1 billion In Private-Sector Weapons Exports Approved For Mexico Since 2004

Mainstream media and Beltway pundits and politicians in recent months have unleashed a wave of panic in the nation linking the escalading violence in Mexico, and its projected spread into the U.S., to illegal weapons smuggling.

The smokescreen being spread by these official mouthpieces of manufactured consensus is that a host of criminal operators are engaging in straw (or fraudulent) gun purchases, making clandestine purchases at U.S. gun shows or otherwise assembling small caches of weapons here in the states in order to smuggle them south of the border to the “drug cartels.”

The Obama administration is now sending hundreds of additional federal agents to the border in an effort to interdict this illegal arms smuggling to reassure an agitated middle-America that Uncle Sam will get these bad guys. The cascade of headlines from mainstream media outlets printing drug-war pornography assures us in paragraphs inserted between the titillation that the ATF’s Operation Gunrunner and other similar get-tough on gun-seller programs will save America from the banditos of Mexico.

To be sure, some criminal actors in the U.S. are smuggling small arms across the border. But the drug war in Mexico is not being fought with Saturday night specials, hobby rifles and hunting shotguns. The drug trafficking organizations are now in possession of high-powered munitions in vast quantities that can’t be explained by the gun-show loophole.

At least one report in a mainstream media outlet deserves credit for recognizing that trend.

“[Mexican] traffickers have escalated their arms race, acquiring military-grade weapons, including hand grenades, grenade launchers, armor-piercing munitions and antitank rockets with firepower far beyond the assault rifles and pistols that have dominated their arsenals,” states a recent story in the Los Angeles Times. “The proliferation of heavier armaments points to a menacing new stage in the Mexican government's 2-year-old war against drug organizations. …” Narco News, in a report last December [“Juarez murders shine a light on an emerging Military Cartel”] also examined the increasing militarization of narco-trafficking groups in Mexico and pointed out that U.S. military-issued ammunition popped up in an arms cache seized in Reynosa, Mexico, in November 2008 that was linked to the Zetas, a mercenary group that provides enforcement services to Mexican narco-trafficking organizations.

So where are these military-grade weapons really coming from?

Rather than address that valid question head on, the mainstream media, and now even the Obama administration, have been attempting to paint lipstick on the pig, trumpeting, in the words of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the “courageous efforts undertaken by [Mexican] President Calderon.”

And the “courageous” Mexican President Felipe Calderon, for his part, redirects the blame for the Mexican narco-organization’s increasing firepower back to the U.S.

In a story published by the Associated Press in late February of this year, Mexican President Calderon is quoted alleging the following:

We need to stop the flow of guns and weapons towards Mexico. Let me express to you that we've seized in this two years more than 25,000 weapons and guns, and more than 90 percent of them came from United States, and I'm talking from missiles launchers to machine guns and grenades.

But no matter how hard Calderon and U.S. officials try to disguise the pig, it still oinks.

A Narco News investigation into the flow of arms across the U.S. border appears to lead right back to the systemic corruption that afflicts a vast swath of the Mexican government under President Felipe Calderon and this nation’s own embrace of market-driven free-trade policies.

The deadliest of the weapons now in the hands of criminal groups in Mexico, particularly along the U.S. border, by any reasonable standard of an analysis of the facts, appear to be getting into that nation through perfectly legal private-sector arms exports, measured in the billions of dollars, and sanctioned by our own State Department. These deadly trade commodities — grenade launchers, explosives and “assault” weapons —are then, in quantities that can fill warehouses, being corruptly transferred to drug trafficking organizations via their reach into the Mexican military and law enforcement agencies, the evidence indicates.

“As in other criminal enterprises in Mexico, such as drug smuggling or kidnapping, it is not unusual to find police officers and military personnel involved in the illegal arms trade,” states an October 2007 report by the for-profit global intelligence group Stratfor, which Barron’s magazine once dubbed the Shadow CIA. “… Over the past few years, several Mexican government officials have been arrested on both sides of the border for participating in the arms trade.”

Counting Commerce

The U.S. State Department oversees a program that requires private companies in the United States to obtain an export license in order to sell defense hardware or services to foreign purchasers — which include both government units and private buyers in other countries. These arms deals are known as Direct Commercial Sales [DCS]. Each year, the State Department issues a report tallying the volume and dollar amount of DCS items approved for export.

The reports do not provide details on who the weapons or defense services were exported to specifically, but do provide an accounting of the destination countries. Although it is possible that some of the deals authorized under the DCS program were altered or even canceled after the export licenses were issued, the data compiled by State does provide a broad snapshot of the extensive volume of U.S. private-sector arms shipments to both Mexico and Latin America in general.

According to an analysis of the DCS reports, some $1 billion in defense hardware was approved for export to Mexico via private U.S. companies between fiscal year 2004 and fiscal year 2007 — the most recent year for which data was available. Overall, during the same period, a total of some $3.7 billion in weapons and other military hardware was approved for export under the DCS program to all of Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition to the military hardware exports approved for Mexico, some $3.8 billion in defense-related “services” [technical assistance and training via private U.S. contractors] also were approved for “export” to Mexico over the same four-year period, according to the DCS reports.

That means the total value of defense-related hardware and service exports by private U.S. companies to Mexico tallied nearly $5 billion over the four-year window. And that figure doesn’t even count the $700 million in assistance already authorized under the Merida Initiative [Plan Mexico] or any new DCS exports approved for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 [which ends Sept. 30].

Following is a sample of the types of arms shipments approved for export to Mexico through the DCS program during fiscal years 2006 and 2007 alone:

• $3.3 million worth of ammunition and explosives, including ammunition-manufacturing equipment;

• 13,000 nonautomatic and semiautomatic firearms, pistols and revolvers at a total value of $11.6 million;

• 42 grenade launchers valued at $518,531;

• 3,578 explosive projectiles, including grenades, valued at $78,251;

• Various night-vision equipment valued at $963,201

A troubling revelation about the DCS program, which has direct relevance to the drug war in Mexico, is contained in a fiscal 2007 report issued by the State Department. That report summarizes the results of the State Department’s Blue Lantern end-use monitoring program for DCS exports.

That Blue Lantern report found that "the Western Hemisphere (especially Latin America and the Caribbean) continues to be a region with a high incidence of unfavorable cases involving firearms and ammunition." The unfavorable finding indicates that fraud may have occurred and those cases "may be subject to civil enforcement actions or referred to law enforcement for criminal investigation."

For the entire DCS program, and this is a disturbing figure, of the 634 Blue Lantern cases closed in fiscal year 2007, a total of 143, or 23 percent, were deemed “unfavorable."

The Blue Lantern report does not mention specific transactions in detail, but does provide case-study examples. One included in the report indicated that a Latin American firearms dealer acted as a “front company for another Latin American company.”

“[The] owner admits that [the] company exists only on paper…,” the fiscal year 2007 Blue Lantern report states. “[The] host country authorities had temporarily suspended the firearms import licenses to [the] parent company because of its link with small arms smuggling to gangs in [a] third country.”

Given Mexico’s strict gun laws with respect to private individuals, it is likely most of the DCS program defense hardware approved for export to that nation was directed toward the military or law enforcement agencies. But it is precisely that fact which should be raising some alarm in Washington.

Mexico, by Calderon’s own admission, is dealing with a serious corruption problem within the ranks of Mexican law enforcement.

From a December 2008 report in the Los Angeles Times:

Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Tuesday said his government was making strides against corruption but warned that graft remained a threat to the nation's efforts against crime.

Calderon’s rival in the 2006 Mexican presidential race, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in recent open letter published in the Mexican newspaper Por Esto! and addressed to U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, is even more blunt in his assessment of the extent of corruption within the Calderon regime.

You surely know that all of this began when a group of about 30 traffickers of influence and corrupt politicians, using the cover of so-called neoliberal economic policies, took control of the Mexican State, as well as a good part of national and so-called public goods. And these policies of pillaging that has enriched a minority in an exaggerated and obscene manner, in a way that has not occurred in any other part of the world, has condemned the Mexican people to exile and survival.

And that corruption is not limited to Mexican law enforcement. Sources provided Narco News with a PowerPoint presentation prepared for the DEA that indicates the following:

Between Jan 2000-Dec 2006: More than 163,000 military members were criminally processed during former president Vicente Fox’s 6 years term of office. The majority of the crimes were: [the list includes abuse of power, homicide, embezzlement, kidnapping, bank robbery, illegal possession of firearms and health crimes [essentially organized crime].

Another slide in that same DEA PowerPoint presentation states that the Mexican military reported an average of 1,200 desertions per month in 2006.

And it should not be ignored that the Zetas, one of the most violent drug-organization groups in Mexico right now, was founded by former elite Mexican special-operations troops — many of whom received some training in the United States.

[The two most recent DCS reports can be found at these links: FY2006 and FY2007.]

The Elephant in the Room

A former senior U.S. Customs Inspector, who asked that his name not be used, provided the following reaction when presented with the DCS data:

I would agree entirely [that] DCS (and DoD gifted, as opposed to DCS sold) weapons are obviously the simplest explanation for the massive rise in the number of fully automatic weapons, grenades, rockets, etc., obtained by the narcotics gangs. … That is to say, they are obtaining their weapons from their own, Mexican, government, by various illegal means.

… The Mexican government has a long and well-documented history of corruption at all levels, from city to federal. Most of the weapons being "displayed" [in the media] are simply not available for sale to American civilians, particularly including the grenades — both 40mm and hand types. …

… The source of these weapons can be easily traced by ATF. … All foreign sales must be reported to ATF prior to shipment, just in case the government wishes to hold up a shipment to a particular country, etc. Tracing the serial numbers would be easy, with US government assistance, of course.

But that assumes the Mexican government, and our own government, really want to trace those weapons. A November 2008 report in the San Antonio Express News, which includes details of the major weapons seizure in Reynosa, Mexico, that same month involving the Zetas, reveals the following:

Another example of coordination problems occurred this month. Mexican authorities in Reynosa across the border from McAllen, seized the country’s single largest stash of cartel weapons — nearly 300 assault rifles, shoulder-fired grenade launchers and a half million rounds of ammunition.

But weeks later, Mexican authorities still have not allowed the ATF access to serial numbers that would help them track down the buyers and traffickers on the U.S. side.

To be sure, cartel corruption and intimidation of Mexican law enforcement at every level and in every agency has caused some dysfunction.

A former DEA agent, who also asked not to be named, says the shipment of military-grade weapons to the Mexican government under the DCS program, given the extent of corruption within that government, is essentially like “shipping weapons to a crime syndicate.”

At least one individual with long connections to U.S. intelligence agencies is convinced that the corrupt transfer of arms between the Mexican military and narco-criminals in Mexico is more than theory.

Tosh Plumlee is a former CIA contract pilot who flew numerous missions delivering arms to Latin America and returning drugs to the United States as part of the covert Iran/Contra operations in the 1980s, according to public records. After becoming troubled by those government-sanctioned missions, Plumlee decided to take his concerns to Congress.

Plumlee was eventually called to testify before Congress on a number of occasions, only to find that the Congressional committees hearing his testimony ordered it classified — which meant if Plumlee later spoke about it publicly, he would be violating the law.

Plumlee, however, still has deep contacts in the spook world, some of whom, it seems, want him to bring some information forward concerning the nature of the drug war in Juarez, Mexico. As a result, Plumlee says he recently made a journey with individuals he described as “sensitive sources” to a small warehouse in Juarez — located just across border from El Paso, Texas. Plumlee says he agreed to accompany the sources because he is currently doing research for a book he is writing about the drug war.

Plumlee says it was clear to him that the warehouse was not part of a Mexican military operation, yet it was packed with U.S. military weapons — including grenades, grenade launchers, LAW anti-tank weapons [essentially high-tech bazookas], M16 rifles and night-vision equipment.

Plumlee says his sources indicated that the U.S. weapons in that warehouse — as well as another warehouse located elsewhere in Juarez that he did not visit — were now under the control of a narco-trafficking organization, which had obtained the munitions from corrupt elements of the Mexican military.

Plumlee concedes he does not know why he was allowed to step inside that warehouse and later walk out alive. All he can say for sure is that he was being used to get the information out and suspects that those weapons have since been relocated.

As incredible as Plumlee’s story sounds, it cannot really be surprising that there would be stores of weapons in clandestine warehouses in a city like Juarez, which, since the beginning of 2008, has produced about 2,000 of the estimated 7,000 murders in Mexico’s bloody drug war. And whether anyone chooses to believe Plumlee’s information or not, it is clear he has a long history of being a player in the netherworld of black operations, and might well be trusted by some players who still engaged in that dark art.

Mike Levine, a former DEA agent who has years of experience participating in dangerous undercover operations overseas, says Plumlee is who he claims to be. Levine now hosts a radio show in New York City on a Pacifica Radio station [the Expert Witness Radio Show] and Plumlee has appeared on that show several times over the years.

Here’s what Levine has to say about Plumlee’s credibility:

Before I invited Tosh to come on the air, because his story was so incredible, I vetted him through government agents, all of whom said he is the real thing. I have a copy of the air map he turned over to a San Diego Weekly newspaper, bearing notations of all his drug flights, which first sold me on the guy.

After he had made many revelations on-air in New York, and mainstream media continued to ignore him, Congress was apparently listening. I had been told by my own sources that agencies like CIA were regularly recording our show. (I used to remind them, on air, to make sure they pressed the red button to record.)

So Tosh calls me one day in around 1997 and says that Congress had asked him to testify about his experiences, in closed-door session. I told him, "If you do that, they are going to do nothing but classify your testimony making it illegal for you to tell your own story."

And that, indeed, is what did happen, according to Tosh.

Could it be that Plumlee was used as a type of message in a bottle because, like has happened so many times in the past history of this nation, the normal chain of command and our politicians in Washington, D.C., simply don’t want to hear the truth, don’t want to risk rocking the boat of international relations with Mexico or interrupting the free-trade flow of a multi-billion dollar “legal” arms business?

After all, if our government had to concede that the Mexican military is so wracked with corruption and beyond the control of Mexican President Calderon that it cannot be trusted to control its own weapons, then how can U.S. cooperation with Calderon’s government have any hope for success in what many would argue is an already ill-conceived drug war?

In fact, if that is what we are now confronting in Mexico, it is likely that U.S. cooperation with Calderon’s government, when it takes the form of U.S. weapon shipments, is likely only going to fuel further bloodshed and put U.S. agents and operatives now in the field assisting in those efforts at grave risk.

Narco News did seek to get comment from officials at both the Department of Justice and the Department of State about the issues raised in this story. To date, those queries — both by phone and e-mail — have been met with dead silence.

Stay tuned ….

AZMEX Armas en Sonora 27-3-09

2011-11-21T16:09:00.000-08:00

Noticias

Denuncia población a grupos armados
Redacción Aumentar Reducir Enviar Nota Imprimir

HERMOSILLO, Sonora(PH)

De un año a otro, las denuncias recibidas por el Ejército Mexicano sobre gente armada o delitos contra la salud aumentaron en el País en más del 1000%, mientras que en Sonora se registraron 32 reportes.

Nada más en el 2007 en toda la República fueron 31, y el año pasado la cifra llegó a las 5 mil 734 llamadas de auxilio de la sociedad, revelan datos de la misma dependencia obtenidos a través de la Ley de Acceso a la Información.

En el Estado en el 2007 la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional no registró ninguna denuncia ciudadana, pero en el 2008 fueron 32; fue una de las quince entidades con bajo registro.

Los estados con mayores denuncias en el 2008 fueron Sinaloa, Baja California, Chihuahua y Jalisco, los tres primeros que rodean a Sonora.

El que más llamadas tuvo el año pasado fue Sinaloa con mil 89 y el de menos porcentaje el DF con una sola acusación.
La segunda entidad que se encuentra en la lista es Baja California con 794 denuncias.

El pasado 9 de marzo la Sedena puso a disposición de los mexicanos el teléfono 01 800 8324771, para que participen en la campaña que iniciaron el año pasado.

También las armas
Desde el 2005 a la fecha, un 150% ha aumentado el decomiso de armas por parte del Ejército Mexicano en Sonora, destaca un informe de la Sedena.

En ese año fueron 12 mil 697 armas, entre largas y cortas, contra las 31 mil 895 que se decomisaron el año pasado.

Elementos del Ejército Mexicano durante un operativo en el Municipio de San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León. La Sedena tiene registrado el incremento del número de denuncias por gente armada.

Nota Publicada: 27/03/2009 06:24

AZMEX Anapara arsenal 16-3-09

2011-11-21T16:07:00.000-08:00

Mexican soldiers find abandoned arsenal in Anapra

By Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times

Posted: 03/16/2009 05:22:33 PM MDT

Mexican soldiers seized an arsenal that could equip a small army abandoned Saturday in Anapra, an extension of northwestern Juárez, across the border from West El Paso and Sunland Park, N.M.

Joint Chihuahua Operation officials said the cache included five sports utility vehicles reported stolen, three grenades, 29 weapons of different calibers, half a dozen gun magazines, nearly 10,000 rounds of ammunition and three different types of explosive devices.

They also seized military helmets, numerous military-style uniforms, holsters, radios, cell phone chargers, flashlights, gloves, binoculars and other accessories.

In addition to these items, they also found about 109 kilograms of marijuana in the SUV's worth about $275,000 on the streets.

Officials said the soldiers came across the unlocked parked vehicles during a routine patrol. They speculate the suspect or suspects may have fled after learning the army patrol was on its way through Anapra.

Details of seized items

Vehicles seized: make, model, plates, VIN:

Isuzo Trooper, gray, 1992, Colorado license plate 671-PAY, VIN: JACDH58V4P7904523, reported stolen.

Jeep, Grand Cherokee, gray, 2001, without plates VIN:1J4GW48521C7135661, reported stolen.

Ford, Expedition, white, 2000, without plates, VIN:1FMPU16L9YLB73354, reported stolen.

Chevrolet, Tahoe, black, 2005, Texas plates Y64-YRR, VIN: 1GNEC13T85R108045, reported stolen.

Jeep, Cherokee, gray, 2004, Texas plates GDF-282, VIN: 1J8GW68J54C278340, reported stolen.

Weapons seized: type, caliber, make, model serial number:

Rifle, .22, Remington 522, SN: 3048097.

Rifle, 22-250, Remington 788, SN: 6011666.

Carbine 7.62, without make name, 1903, SN: A2442.

Shotgun,12 gauge, Winchester Defender, SN: L1850425.

Assault weapon, 7.62x39, Norinco, without model, SN: 56S-151396.

Revolver, .38 caliber, special, make and model illegible, SN: 493365.

Rifle, .17 caliber, The Marlin Fire Arms 917V, SN: 9364809.

Carbine 9 mm caliber, Ruger Sturm, SN: 470-01088.

Assault weapon, 7.62X39, Iver-Johnson's, without model, SN: AA 1597.

Rifle, 30-30, Winchester 94, SN: 3781967.

Pistol, .380, Raikal, model illegible, SN: J044928.

Revolver, .22, Ruger Single-Six, SN: 261-67268.

Assault weapon, .223, Bushmaster XM15-E25, SN: BFI406376.

Rifle, 30-30, The Marlin Firearms 30-A, SN: 26047155.

Rifle, .22, The Marline Firearms 882L, SN: 98601918.

Revolver, .22, Western Six, without model, SN: K44236.

Pistol, .25, Titan, without model, SN: ED82215.

Pistol, .22, Jennings J-22, SN: 532785.

Assault weapon, .223, PWA Commando, SN: 25731.

Shotgun, 12 gauge, Browning 50, SN: 18019.

Assault weapon, 7.62X39, Norinco MAK-90 Sporter, SN: 9497310.

Revolver, .38 Special, Smith & Wesson 10-8, SN: AYS9943.

Pistol, .380, Grendel Inc. P10, serial number missing.

Carbine, 7.62, Oviedo, without model, SN: U1703.

Assault weapon, 7.62X39, Norinco, without model, SN:10188543.

Rifle, 30-30, The Marlin Fire Arms 336, SN: 19006922.

Assault weapon, 5.56 mm, Rel Tec - PLR-16, SN: P1R02.

Assault weapon, .308, J.L.D. Entreprises Inc. PTR-91, SN: S.N. A6547.

Pistol, .25, Raven P25, SN: 368681.

Source: Chihuahua Joint Operation

AZMEX Armas de Rancho Anapra 16-3-09

2011-11-21T16:05:00.001-08:00

Ubican y decomisan droga y arsenal en Rancho Anapra

POR: ESEQUIEL GARCIA | 16-MAR-2009 12:41

Durante este fin de semana pasado, elementos activos de Ejército mexicano pertenecientes al 55/o batallón de Infantería, decomisaron cantidades cuantiosas de armas y droga en Rancho Anapra.

Las autoridades dieron a conocer mediante un comunicado de prensa los artículos decomisados:

1 Camioneta, Marca Isuzu, Línea Trooper, color gris, año 1992, placas de circulación 671-PAY del Estado de Colorado, numero de serie JACDH58V4P7904523 con reporte de robo

1 Camioneta Marca Jeep, Línea Grand Cherokee, color gris, año 2001, sin placas de circulación, numero de serie 1J4GW48521C7135661 con reporte de robo

1 Camioneta Marca Ford, Línea Expedition, color blanco, año 2000, sin placas de circulación, numero de serie 1FMPU16L9YLB73354 con reporte de robo

1 Camioneta Marca Chevrolet, Línea Tahoe, color negra, año 2005 placas de circulación Y64-YRR del estado de Texas, numero de serie 1GNEC13T85R108045 con reporte de robo

1 Camioneta Marca Jeep, Línea Cherokee, color gris, año 2004, placas de circulación GDF-282 del estado de TEXAS, USA, numero de serie 1J8GW68J54C278340 con reporte de robo

1 Rifle calibre .22, marca Remington, modelo 522, matricula 3048097

1 Rifle calibre 22-250, marca Remington, modelo 788, matricula 6011666

1 Carabina calibre 7.62, sin marca, modelo 1903, matricula A2442

1 Escopeta calibre 12, marca Winchester, modelo Defender, matricula L1850425

1 Fusil calibre 7.62x39, marca Norinco, sin modelo, matricula 56S-151396

1 Revolver calibre 38 Special, marca ilegible, sin modelo, matricula 493365

1 Rifle calibre .17, marca The Marlin Fire Arms, modelo 917V, matricula 9364809

1 Carabina calibre 9 mm, marca Ruger, modelo Storm, matricula 470-01088

1 Fusil calibre 7.62X39, marca Iver-Johnson's, sin modelo, matricula AA 1597

1 Rifle calibre 30-30, marca Winchester, modelo 94, matricula 3781967

1 Pistola calibre .380, marca Raikal, modelo ilegible, matricula J044928

1 Revolver calibre .22, marca Ruger, modelo Single-Six, matricula 261-67268

1 Fusil calibre .223, marca Bushmaster, modelo XM15-E25, matricula BFI406376

1 Rifle calibre 30-30, marca The Marlin Firearms, modelo 30-A, matricula 26047155

1 Rifle calibre .22, marca The Marlin Firearms, modelo 882L, matricula 98601918

1 Revolver calibre .22, marca Western Six, sin modelo, matricula K44236

1 Pistola calibre .25, marca Titán, sin modelo, matricula ED82215

1 Pistola calibre .22, marca Jennings, modelo J-22, matricula 532785

1 Fusil calibre .223, marca PWA, modelo Commando, matricula 25731

1 Escopeta calibre 12 GA, marca Browning, modelo 50, siglas 18019

1 Fusil calibre 7.62X39, marca Norinco, modelo MAK-90 Sporter, matricula 9497310

1 Revolver calibre 38 Special, marca Smit & Wesson, modelo 10-8, matricula AYS9943

1 Pistola calibre .380, marca Grendel Inc., modelo P10, sin matricula

1 Carabina calibre 7.62, marca Oviedo, sin modelo, matricula U1703

1 Fusil calibre 7.62X39, marca Norinco, sin modelo, matricula 10188543

1 Rifle calibre 30-30, marca The Marlin Firearms, modelo 336, matricula 19006922

1 Fusil calibre 5.56 mm, marca REL-TEC, modelo PLR-16, matricula P1R02

1 Fusil calibre .308, marca J.L.D. Enterprises Inc., modelo PTR-91, matricula S.N. A6547

1 Pistola calibre .25, marca Raven, modelo P25, matricula 368681

4 cargadores de disco para calibre 7.62 x 39 mm

53 cargadores para calibre 7.62 x 39 mm

1 cargador de doble disco para calibre .223

13 cargadores para calibre.223

3 cargadores para calibre .308

24 cargadores para pistola de diferentes calibres

6 mil 29 cartuchos útiles, calibre 7.62 X 39 mm

168 cartuchos útiles, calibre 7.62 X 25 mm

449 cartuchos útiles, calibre .223

78 cartuchos útiles, calibre .308

36 cartuchos útiles, calibre 12 GA

35 cartuchos útiles, calibre .38 Special

34 cartuchos útiles, calibre .38 Super

26 cartuchos útiles, calibre 9 mm

2 mil cartuchos útiles, calibre .22

65 cartuchos útiles, calibre .17

3 granadas de fragmentación

47 metros de mecha lenta

34 explosivos tipo salchicha Tovex

4 kilos 500 gramos de agente explosivo granulado

11 paquetes de diferentes tamaños, confeccionados con plástico transparente y cinta canela, conteniendo en su interior un vegetal de color verde y seco con las características propias de la Marihuana, arrojando un peso total de 108 kilos, 660 gramos aproximadamente

19 cascos keblar tácticos color negro

1 chaleco antibalas sin placas, color negro con la leyenda en letras blancas 'Policía'

2 chalecos antibalas sin placas, color azul

7 chalecos antibalas sin placas, color negro

2 chalecos antibalas camuflajeados sin placas

1 chaleco antibalas sin placas, color verde olivo

1 chaleco antibalas sin placas color azul

1 panel balístico camuflajeado

11 uniformes tipo militar camuflajeados de selva

1 uniforme tipo militar pixelado U.S.A.

4 uniformes tipo militar color negro

1 uniforme azul y en la camisola la leyenda 'AFI'

1 camisola azul con la leyenda 'AFI'

1 chamarra negra con la leyenda 'AFI'

15 pantalones tipo militar camuflajeados de selva

3 pantalones tipo militar color negro

3 pantalones tipo cazador camuflajeados

1 pantalón tipo militar color verde olivo

17 pares de botas tipo militar color negro

11 pasamontañas

12 fajillas color verde olivo

3 fajillas color negro

12 tirantes para fornitura color negro

2 pares de guantes de color negro

1 estuche camuflageado para rifle

1 estuche para rifle de plástico color negro, con la leyenda Doskosport

5 fundas para pistola color negro

7 fundas para esposas

4 fundas para lámpara con la leyenda AUTOTEC

1 porta navajas color negro

3 porta lámparas negros

2 gorras tipo cazador

1 gorra camuflajeada tipo selva

1 cartuchera de piel color negro

1 cartuchera de tela color verde olivo

2 portacargadores negro

1 binoculares

1 brújula con funda

2 radios Motorola

9 radios Kenwood

1 teléfono satelital marca Tandy

20 baterías para radio

14 cargadores para celular

11 adaptadores con eliminador de corriente para radio

7 bases con eliminador de corriente para radio

1 cable PTT

1 cinta de sujeción para vehículos

1 cámara fotográfica instantánea

2 lámparas de mano

1 bascula (romana)

1 burbuja color roja

1 kit automotriz para analizar computadoras de vehículos

1 par de guantes de carnaza color beige

En cifras monetarias se informo que, de la droga, se hubieran obtenido: 54 mil 330 dosis de marihuana, lo que representaría un total de 2 millones 716 mil 500 pesos, siendo a 50 pesos cada dosis obtenida.

Los zetas - Logan 11-3-09 ISN

2011-11-21T16:03:00.001-08:00

11 Mar 2009
Los Zetas: Evolution of a Criminal Organization

From the original 31 members, the Mexican organized criminal faction Los Zetas has grown into an organization in its own right, operating separate from the Gulf Cartel and just as violent, Sam Logan writes for ISN Security Watch.
By Samuel Logan for ISN Security Watch
Between the first of the year and mid-March, 2009 the Mexican criminal organization most commonly known as "Los Zetas" has been busy. Members of this group have been linked to a death threat delivered to the president of Guatemala, a grenade thrown into a bar in Pharr, Texas, the death of a high-ranking military general in Cancun, and a fair share of the organized crime-related deaths registered this year in Mexico.
Many journalists and analysts who write about Los Zetas still refer to this group as the enforcement branch of the Gulf Cartel. This was a true description when the original 31 Special Forces soldiers abandoned the Mexican military to protect a young, upcoming leader of the Gulf Cartel, Osiel Cardenas Guillen. But today, the Zetas have evolved into a separate entity with its own agenda. And it doesn't take orders from the Gulf Cartel.

The original 31 "Zetas" saw to it that at least another 10 men were trained. Members of Los Zetas, along with Cardenas, bribed, threatened and cajoled local and state police to assist with that protection detail. In most areas where the Gulf Cartel operated, local and state police formed the outer rings of a four or five ring-deep security detail for Cardenas and other top leaders of the Gulf Cartel. The Zetas remained at the inner rings, providing close protection support, and acting on the wishes of Cardenas and their leader, Arturo Guzman Decenas, known as Z1, and the man for whom Los Zetas was named.
But that was in 2003, when the Mexican Defense Department separated out Los Zetas as the most formidable death squad to have worked for organized crime in Mexican history. At that time there were perhaps some 300 members of Los Zetas: 30 or so original military deserters and the men they trained. Across the landscape of Mexican organized crime, no one could compete. These men were intelligence specialists and experts with a number of different types of weapons and operational tactics.
In many ways, these men innovated paramilitary tactics in use by organized crime today. Many agree that these men raised the bar in the Mexican criminal underworld, forcing Cardenas' rivals to find former military soldiers of their own, just so they could compete.
Until Cardenas' extradition to the US, where he has awaited trial in Houston, Texas since January, 2007, members of Los Zetas guarded the Gulf Cartel's most important sections of turf, especially Nuevo Laredo, where in 2005, many observed the initial escalation of violence that has so many worried today.
But the dominance of Los Zetas couldn't last. Over time, many of the original 31 have been killed, and a number of younger, ambitious men have filled the vacuum, forming something that resembles what Los Zetas used to be, but still very far from the professionalism and efficient style of the original Zetas.
The term Los Zetas, some argue, has been turned into a brand name - a calling card used to control businessmen and politicians deemed useful to further the advances of either the Gulf Cartel, the new Zetas Organization, or even smaller groups who have capitalized on the name brand but have very little connection to the Gulf Cartel or the Zetas Organization.
Los Zetas vs the Zetas Organization
"Most of the original Zetas are gone, but the legacy of the Zetas still lives on," Jose Wall, Senior Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told ISN Security Watch. He added that the current version of the Zetas carries a "more brutal mindset" and apart from military and police deserters relies on a force of regular guys who have very little training with no future and no job to speak of.
Ralph Reyes, chief of Mexico and Central America division for Global Enforcement at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), echoed Wall's sentiments. Reyes pointed out in a recent phone call that one of the factors that has always separated the Zetas from other armed criminal groups in Mexico is their willingness to engage in firefights.
That is partially why most of the original 31 Zetas are either in custody or dead. What followed in their wake is called the Zetas Organization by an intelligence officer in the US who focuses on Mexican organized crime and spoke with ISN Security Watch, but asked not to be named. The Zetas Organization, he agrees, is very powerful in its own right and beholden to none, not even the current leaders of the Gulf Cartel. Unlike Los Zetas of old, the Zetas Organization operates more like a network comprised of isolated cells that all maintain control over a certain slice of turf between the US/Mexico border from El Paso east, moving south along Mexico's eastern coast, south through Veracruz, and east through Tabasco, and into the Yucatan peninsula.
"Back in the PRI days, the rule of the game was different," Dr George Grayson, a Latin American politics professor at The College of William and Mary in Virginia, US and a senior associate at the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, told ISN Security Watch. "Now the members of the Zetas are young and mean, and they don't take orders from anyone."
The men and women who form part of this network likely number in the thousands. They operate a range of illicit businesses from the regular extortion of street vendors to charging other groups for passage through their territory, to gun and drug smuggling, human smuggling, kidnapping for ransom, money laundering and the operation of a vast network of illegal businesses.
Surrounding this organization is a larger than life myth, a sort of Zeta brand name that some criminals use just to scare their targets, explains Howard Campbell, professor of anthropology at the University of Texas at El Paso.
"The Zetas have become something of a myth like Poncho Villa," Campbell said, adding, "their origins are obscure, and no one knows how many there are."
The Zetas' Intelligence Networks
Part of what made Cardenas so powerful as an organized crime boss was his ability to smooth talk people into working for him. Like everyone else in his line of work, he didn't hesitate to offer bribes, but unlike others, he was able to maintain a very well organized network of individuals who serviced him and his Zetas with a constant flow of information.
For a while, the Zetas were considered the best-informed paramilitary force in Mexico. But once Cardenas left Mexico to face justice in Houston, he took with him the connections to a large number of individuals who spoke only to him, successfully ripping out a large section of the Gulf Cartel's tightly woven intelligence network.
"Osiel's extradition broke up networks, and the Zetas now intimidate rather than bribe," Bruce Bagley, chairman of the Department of International Studies at the University of Miami told ISN Security Watch.
One of the original Zetas, Heriberto Lazcano, aka "El Lazca," and Cardenas' brother, Ezequiel Cardenas Guillen, aka "Tony Tormenta," took over control of the Gulf Cartel in January 2007, and have been able to keep the organization together until today, according to Ricardo Ravelo, a Mexican journalist who has closely followed Mexican organized crime for Mexican news weekly Proceso.
Yet they have not been able to rein in the growing network and name that grew out of the time when Los Zetas were the most feared death squad in Mexico.
The Gulf Cartel still maintains a robust intelligence network across Mexico and deep into the US, especially in Houston and Dallas, and in cities located across the southeast and well into the mid-Atlantic and northeast, but it does not compete with the networks maintained by the old guard of drug traffickers, and Cardenas' rivals like "El Chapo" Guzman who has kept his decades' old networks in play.
Today, the Gulf Cartel relies more on intelligence gathered from a broad group of less sophisticated sources, argues Grayson. "Street vendors buy from the Zetas or they are killed," Grayson explained in a recent phone call with ISN Security Watch.
"They operate a very well developed grass roots network," he added, echoing a 31 December article published by Mexican daily El Universal. Entitled, "Inside Los Zetas," the article explained how small-time shop owners, men who stand on highway overpasses, and a regularly updated list of local and state politicians and police officers all serve as look outs and informants for the Zetas Organization.
Grayson also explained that the Zetas are not as focused on high-level, federal politicians, preferring to keep close ties with local and state officials. "If they do go after a high-level politician, it's only to make sure they control him when he comes back to the state level to become governor or something similar," Grayson said.
Crossing the Border
Nevertheless, the Zetas Organization remains a formidable criminal faction, operating both in Mexico and, to an extent, inside the US. Rumors of training camps continue to circulate, and there is proof that this organization knows how to amass weaponry. In November 2008, Mexican military soldiers seized from a Gulf Cartel safe house in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas the largest cache of weapons ever discovered in Mexican history: over 500 firearms, including .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifles, rocket and grenade launchers, assault rifles and over a half-million rounds of ammunition.
At the time of the discovery, many analysts in the US considered the cache as a bold statement of what the Gulf Cartel intends to do. Some headlines even read that the Zetas "prepared for war."
Speculation about highly trained members of Los Zetas crossing the US border to hunt down and kill civilian targets seemed to be confirmed when a group of men dressed like a Phoenix police SWAT team entered a house and killed a Jamaican drug trafficker in June 2008.
Police in Birmingham, Alabama, who responded to a multiple homicide in a suburban apartment complex in August 2008, suspected Zeta involvement in the death of a number of Mexican men, found with their throats cut. Money and drugs in the apartment were not disturbed. Police in Georgia suspected Zeta involvement when they discovered that a man had been bound and tortured in the basement of a house near Atlanta.
Yet in none of these cases have authorities publically confirmed that members of the original Zetas carried out these hits, often referred to as "account adjustments" in Mexico. While it remains unlikely that Mexican members of the Zetas Organization cross the border to maim and kill rivals, there is strong evidence that connects Mexican organized crime with a robust and widespread prison gang population in both California and Texas.
The Barrio Azteca and Texas Syndicate prison gangs are most likely the Zeta operatives inside the US. There may also be some links to the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), as well as other, smaller groups. Yet these groups are contractors, hired for one job, maybe two, explained the intelligence officer. But there is little to no evidence to suggest that these groups operate on some sort of retainer, or use the Zeta name to spread fear inside the US.
Back in Mexico, however, the Zeta Organization has become more and more of a headache, both for the Mexican government and for the organizations' rivals.
During a conference call on 6 March with journalists, US Senator John Cornyn said that the Gulf and the Sinaloa drug trafficking organizations - including, presumably the Zetas Organization - could together muster an army of some 100,000 guns. Compared to the 130,000 troops within Mexico's regular army, it appears that Mexican organized crime is powerful enough to topple a nation, but Campbell, speaking to the cyclic nature of Mexican organized crime warned against making such assumptions.
"There's a system of cartel infiltration in the government for its own benefit, and this system has been going on for 50 years," Campbell said.
"This short term, sensationalistic treatment [of Mexican drug trafficking organizations] is not going to ruin the US or overthrow the Mexican government."
Samuel Logan is an investigative journalist and author of This is for the Mara Salvatrucha: Inside the MS-13, America's Most Violent Gang, forthcoming from Hyperion in summer 2009. He is the Editor of Southern Pulse | Networked Intelligence, and has reported on security, energy, politics, economics, organized crime, terrorism and black markets in Latin America since 1999. He is a senior writer for ISN Security Watch.

AZMEX VEN drug exports 6-3-09

2011-11-21T16:02:00.000-08:00

Spanish seize huge cocaine haul

Five Venezuelan crew members were arrested when the ship was held
A Venezuelan fishing boat has been seized near the Canary Islands with five tonnes of cocaine on board, Spanish customs officials have said.
The drug shipment is thought to have a street value of 250m euros (£221m). Five Venezuelan crew members were held.
Officials boarded the Dona Fortuna about 780 nautical miles (1,444 km) north-east of the islands on Thursday.
Spanish police also impounded a speedboat on the country's north coast on suspicion it was involved.
Drugs report
The high-speed boat, which was loaded with gasoline, was intercepted near a village on the sparsely-populated coast of Galicia, a favoured entry point for cocaine smugglers bringing the drug into Europe.
Customs officials believed the boat was about to rendezvous with the Dona Fortuna.
The seizure came as the US released a report warning that drug trafficking posed a significant threat to US national security.
It said as many as 6,000 people had died in drug violence last year - and that more than 1,000 had already died in 2009.
It also said the amount of cocaine trafficked by Venezuelan cartels had jumped fivefold between 2002 and 2007.

AZMEX US Aid 1-3-09

2011-11-21T16:00:00.001-08:00

US marshals give $10K in goods to help Mexican cops
By Brady McCombs
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 03.01.2009
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The U.S. Marshals Service on Wednesday handed over $10,000 worth of new police equipment to Mexican police.
The marshals in Arizona obtained the equipment — which included bulletproof vests, boots, handcuffs, uniforms, flashlights, gear bags and gloves — through a U.S. State Department grant program that sets aside money to help agencies that work along the border, said Luis Noriega, the Mexico investigative liaison for the U.S. Marshals Service in Arizona.
The recipients of the donation, the Sonoran investigative police (known in Mexico as Policia Estatal Investigadora, or PEI) and Mexico's Immigration Institute (known in Mexico as Instituto Nacional de Migración, or INM), work closely with the Marshals to find fugitives in Mexico.
The grant application came in part due to the escalating drug-cartel fueled violence that Mexican police are battling but also due to their cooperation over the years, Noriega said.
"This is our way to say thank you," Noriega said.
The donation was delivered Wednesday at the Evo A. DeConcini Courthouse in Tucson.
The equipment will allow officers, especially those making checks on buses and trains, to work more efficiently, said Alejandro Salas Dominguez, an official with Mexico's Immigration Institute in Sonora.
"They are of excellent quality," Salas said in Spanish.
Both immigration and the Sonoran investigative police will give the equipment to officers working close to the U.S-Mexico border. For the investigative police, that means the officers investigating the drug-cartel- related killings will be the beneficiary, said Manuel Angel Barrios Macario, the director of the Sonoran investigative police.
"It is a really big help," Barrios said in Spanish.
Contact reporter Brady McCombs at 573-4213 or bmccombs@azstarne

AZMEX El Paso Haven 1-3-09

2011-11-21T15:59:00.001-08:00

El Paso is safer haven for Juarenses fleeing killings

By Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times
Posted: 03/01/2009 12:00:00 AM MST

More on the violence in Juárez
EL PASO -- Being shot at in two attacks meant for others in less than a year persuaded an American executive to quit his Juárez maquiladora job.
Other incidents targeting fellow workers further compounded the terrifying experiences: bodies left outside the company, an attempted carjacking and two robberies at gunpoint.
"The first time I was caught in crossfire was on Gomez Morin, a major thoroughfare in Juárez. I heard gunshots, saw a car with bullet holes and people running, and I just kept on driving," said the former executive who asked not to be identified for safety reasons. "Things only got worse after that. There were military everywhere. Another time, we couldn't get back home because protesters had blocked the international bridges. It got to the point where it just wasn't worth it anymore. I decided my family and my life were more important than any material possessions."
The brutal violence in Juárez has altered life for many people on both sides of the border as chaos reigns in the city of 1.3 million.
For example, Sterling Bassett learned recently that several families from Mexico had moved into his upscale neighborhood "and brought their bodyguards."
Several vehicles in the neighborhood have Chihuahua state plates.
Bassett said he called police after watching a man inside a truck parked across
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his home for about six months. "I called the police after our property manager told me about the bodyguards," he said. "If he was guarding someone who felt they needed protection, I was concerned someone might come here to shoot up the place."
The police talked to the man in the truck; soon after, he left.
Police spokesman Javier Sambrano said the man told police officers that he was working for someone at the complex and was not armed.
"It was not clear if he was a bodyguard. He said he did errands and was a driver for someone," Sambrano said.
To avoid problems, Sambrano said, anyone who hires a bodyguard should notify the police. If someone plans to use armed bodyguards, those bodyguards must comply with gun-permit and licensing laws.
In past two years, as violence reached unprecedented levels in Mexico, thousands of Mexican citizens have fled their country for El Paso and even Canada.
"It started in May of 2008 when we started getting people from Juárez who wanted asylum because of the violence," said Ray Rojas, executive director of Las Americas Immigration Advocacy Center in El Paso. "They've been coming ever since at a rate of about 15 per week. We deal with refugee and asylum cases from other countries, such as China and Somalia, but we've never seen anything like this for Mexico."
Rojas said 300 Juárez families cleaned out an El Paso charity of furniture. "I've heard 3,000 families from Mexico may have come to El Paso," he said.
But receiving asylum in the United States is difficult. Petitions can take more than a year to process, and immigration courts do not grant asylum easily.
Generally, petitioners must prove they are persecuted by a government because of their religion or political beliefs, or because they belong to certain social class. They also have to prove that they are not safe in any other part of their homeland.
Las Americas has three formal Mexico asylum cases in progress; the rest are undergoing review.
Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services had 523 pending asylum cases filed by Mexican citizens; 19 others were granted, and one was denied.
"There have been no recent trends evidenced by the number of applications from Mexico," said Maria Elena Garcia-Upson, regional spokeswoman for the Citizenship and Immigration Services in Dallas. She added that the statistics did not show the reasons for the asylum requests.
Rojas said, "We are recommending for people to hold out here until the violence subsides. Some of them have families in the United States and the financial means to wait."
According to an article this month in Toronto's Globe and Mail newspaper, 9,000 people from Mexico are seeking refuge in Canada because of the violence.
Hector Padilla, a professor at the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez, said most of the victims killed over the past two years have been people from low socio economic backgrounds. Exceptions include police commanders, a federal administrator, journalists and lawyers.
Gustavo De la Rosa Hickerson, an official with the Chihuahua State Commission for Human Rights, said he knows of a judge from Chihuahua state who had to seek refuge in El Paso after he received death threats in Mexico.
Officials said another judge, Flor Mireya Aguilar Casas, a former assistant prosecutor in Juárez, was kidnapped Wednesday and freed the next day after judicial officers paid an undisclosed ransom.
Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6140.

AZMEX Cd. Mexico, DF buyback 1-3-09

2011-11-21T15:58:00.001-08:00

Aumenta canje de armas en la capital
Personal de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional y autoridades del Distrito Federal han recolectado 631 armas de fuego.

2009-03-01•M.P.

El titular de la SSP capitalina. Foto: Octavio Hoyos
Personal de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional y autoridades del Distrito Federal han recolectado 631 armas de fuego —incluidas cinco granadas— como parte del programa de canje por despensas o dinero en efectivo, lo que representa 71.2 por ciento del total recabado el año pasado.

Por estas piezas se ha pagado 2 millones 30 mil 400 pesos y otorgado 564 despensas.

Las autoridades reiteraron su compromiso de que el canje se realice de forma voluntaria y sin iniciar alguna indagatoria sobre el origen del arma o la persona que la entregue.

Entre el armamento recibido esta semana destaca un mortero lanzagranadas, un rifle con mira telescópica, una ametralladora Uzzi y un rifle AK-47. Por las piezas de alto poder los ciudadanos reciben hasta 7 mil 400 pesos.

La SSP del Distrito Federal informó que en 2008 se recibieron 885 armas e indicó que el proyecto Vive sin Armas, Canje por Dinero 2009 ha tenido una alta participación ciudadana.

De las 252 armas recolectadas el viernes pasado, 215 son cortas, 30 largas, dos de municiones, cinco granadas y 386 cartuchos útiles de distintos calibres. Por éstas se entregaron 787 mil 900 pesos y 232 despensas.

En total, la SSP capitalina ha recibido en esta primera fase 631 piezas: 512 cortas, 94 largas, dos de municiones, ocho donaciones, 15 granadas y mil 766 cartuchos útiles de diferentes calibres.

Los puntos de recepción fueron la glorieta del Metro Insurgentes y la explanada de la delegación Cuauhtémoc. Este año se instalarán módulos itinerantes en las delegaciones políticas y otros sitios que serán anunciados previamente.

Además del efectivo y las despensas, las autoridades entregarán también computadoras.

México/Ignacio Alzag

AZMEX 27-2-09

2011-11-21T15:57:00.001-08:00

From: Nogales International Nogales, Arizona
Illegal migrant fatally shot Tuesday near Arivaca area
By JB Miller
Published Friday, February 27, 2009 9:09 AM MST

A man who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally was shot dead near Arivaca on Feb. 24.�

The man’s brother said he and his brother were traveling with a group of 10 other illegal migrants on Tuesday when sometime between 7 and 8 p.m. they heard gunshots.�

“The group scattered, but not before the reporting person saw his brother receive a gunshot wound to the chest and arm,” said Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Raoul Rodriguez. He said that the man left his brother to seek medical attention.�

“BORSTAR,” a Border Patrol search and rescue team was sent to look for the victim and Border Patrol air support also responded. At approximately 1:30 a.m. aerial reconnaissance located a “possible body” southeast of Arivaca Road. �

Rodriguez said the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division was waiting to be taken to the location to process the crime scene. The Arizona Department of Public Safety was to provide a helicopter to take them. Rodriguez added that the homicide was the second one this year and the first shooting of 2009. �

Border Patrol spokesperson Rob Daniels said he was waiting for information about the incident. When asked whether there were any special operations being conducted to deal with the spike of robberies, rape and other incidents of violence that have been occurring along the border in recent months, Daniels said he couldn’t say for sure.

From: El Diario de Sonora Nogales, Sonora
Ejecutan a “burrero” sinaloense
27 February, 2009 05:00 Gerardo R. Valenzuela
Tamaño de la fuente:
Nogales, Arizona

( Translation; A presumed "donkey" ( the guys who carry backpacks full of drugs ) from Sinaloa was killed north of Nogales, AZ, he was shot in the chest and one arm. It is beleived that he and the others in his group, including a brother, were attacked by hijackers after the shipment of marijuana. In addition to his body the BP found a firearm and several packets of marijuana. )

Un presunto “burrero” originario de Choix, Sinaloa, de 27 años de edad, fue asesinado al norte de Nogales, Arizona, al recibir un par de disparos tanto en el pecho como en uno de sus brazos, luego de que junto a sus compañeros, entre ellos uno de sus hermanos, fueron asaltados por un grupo de “bajadores”.
El homicidio se registró la noche del martes, pero fue hasta la madrugada del miércoles, cerca de la 1:30 de la mañana, cuando las autoridades policiacas lograron dar con el cuerpo del hoy occiso, luego de implementar un fuerte operativo de seguridad.
El sheriff Marco Antonio Estrada informó que cerca de las diez de la noche del martes, agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza se contactaron con los oficiales del Sheriffato del Condado de Santa Cruz, para informarles que acaban de detener a tres indocumentados, uno de los cuales presentaba varias manchas de sangre en su ropa.
El individuo le reveló a los agente que su hermano había sido baleado en una zona cercana al lugar de su detención, conocida como Bartolo Mountain, ubicada a unas doce millas al oeste de la Carretera Interestatal 19, y a unas nueve millas al norte de la frontera, en las inmediaciones de Arivaca, Arizona.
Los agentes del Sheriffato utilizaron un helicóptero del Departamento de Seguridad Pública del Estado de Arizona (DPS por sus siglas en inglés), para sobrevolar la zona, luego de que los agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza lograron dar con el paradero de la víctima, pero además encontraron un arma de fuego y cinco paquetes de marihuana abandonados, los cuales presuntamente eran los que transportaban los presuntos “burreros”.
La División de Investigaciones del Sheriffato del Condado de Santa Cruz se encargó de interrogar al hermano de la víctima, como a sus dos acompañantes para obtener mayor información sobre este fatal incidente.

AZMEX MATASPOLICIAS 23-2-09

2011-11-21T15:55:00.001-08:00

AZMEX MATASPOLICIAS 23 FEB 2009

Note: would suspect it was .50 cal it would be rifles, not pistols. Also "mata policias" usually refers to PDW's or pistols in 5.7x28 mm, for which the effective ammunition is only available to governments.

Narcos increase arms purchases cop killers
February 23, 2009 04:51 The Universal / The Journal of Sonora

   According to Newell, the Gulf cartel and the Pacific (Sinalos) are the leading consumers of weapons.
U.S. warn of possible attacks against Mexican officials due to increased sales of firearms capable of penatrating armored vehicles

City of Mexico.
  The U.S. official William D. Newell warned of possible attacks by organized crime against senior officials in Mexico due to increased sales of firearms capable of passing armored vehicles.

According to the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Snuff, Firearms and Explosives (ATF, for its acronym in English) in Phoenix, Arizona, has grown markedly marketing 50 caliber pistols, known as "cop killer".

In conference at U.S. Embassy in Mexico, said that since the start of the Gunrunner project in April 2005, the number of arrests for arms trafficking has increased 450 percent.

He explained that in 2008 the agency in charge of investigations carried out 202 investigations that resulted in the arrest of 300 individuals involved in that crime.

Between October 2008 and 17 Feb. 230 inquiries were initiated which resulted in the seizure of more than 400 weapons and thousands of cartridges intended to be sold illegally in Mexico.

According to the official in Arizona, unusual increase in the sale of 50 caliber pistols, so it is likely to initiate attacks on organized crime leaders of criminal groups or senior officials.

The weapons mentioned has enough power to pass some light armor vehicles and bulletproof vests that are used in these areas, he added.

Of all firearms investigations initiated by the ATF, half were at the request of the Attorney General's Office (PGR), which requested the tracking of weapons confiscated in Mexico, explained the head of the ATF in Phoenix.

He said the main points of entry of arms from the American Union towards Mexico are Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Nogales, Naco and Agua Prieta, Sonora, and Tijuana, Baja California.

According to Newell, the Gulf cartel and the Pacific are the leading consumers of weapons.

Narcos aumentan compra de armas matapolicías
23 February, 2009 04:51 El Universal/El Diario de Sonora
Tamaño de la fuente:
   Según Newell, los cárteles del Golfo y del Pacífico son los principales demandantes de armamento.
Alertan en Estados Unidos sobre posibles ataques contra altos funcionarios mexicanos debido al incremento en la venta de armas de fuego capaces de traspasar los vehículos blindados

Ciudad de México.
  El funcionario estadunidense William D. Newell alertó sobre posibles ataques del crimen organizado en México contra altos funcionarios debido al incremento en la venta de armas de fuego capaces de traspasar los vehículos blindados.

De acuerdo con el director de la Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF, por sus siglas en inglés) , en Phoenix, Arizona, ha crecido notoriamente la comercialización de pistolas calibre 50, conocidas como "matapolicías".

En conferencia en la Embajada de Estados Unidos en México, refirió que desde la entrada en vigor del proyecto Gunrunner, en abril de 2005, el número de arrestos por tráfico de armas se incrementó 450 por ciento.

Detalló que durante 2008 el organismo a su cargo llevó a cabo 202 investigaciones que derivaron en la detención de 300 sujetos implicados en ese delito.

Entre octubre de 2008 y el 17 de febrero pasado se iniciaron 230 indagatorias que dieron como resultado el decomiso de más de 400 armas y miles de cartuchos que pretendían comercializarse ilegalmente en México, describió.

De acuerdo con el funcionario de Arizona, es inusual el aumento en la venta de pistolas calibre 50, por lo que es probable que el crimen organizado emprenda ataques contra los líderes de los grupos delictivos o funcionarios de alto rango.

El armamento referido tiene la potencia suficiente para traspasar algunos blindajes ligeros de vehículos, así como los chalecos antibalas que se utilizan en esas esferas, añadió.

Del total de investigaciones sobre armas de fuego iniciadas por la ATF, la mitad fueron a petición de la Procuraduría General de la República (PGR) , que solicitó el rastreo de artefactos decomisados en territorio mexicano, expuso el titular de la ATF en Phoenix.

Indicó que los principales puntos de entrada de armas desde la Unión Americana hacia México son Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo y Reynosa, Tamaulipas; Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua; Nogales, Naco y Agua Prieta, Sonora, así como Tijuana, Baja California.

Según Newell, los cárteles del Golfo y del Pacífico son los principales demandantes de armamento.

AZMEX House Hearing 24-2-2009

2011-10-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

Note: "It was such (a) heavy firefight that police were actually calling for reinforcements . . . and asking for ammunition from the American side," said Wells.

Mexican drug wars may cross into Ariz.
Police warn lawmakers about cartel gunbattles
by Dennis Wagner - Feb. 24, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Violence involving Mexican narcotics cartels threatens to bleed across the border into Arizona and other states already coping with an epidemic of drug-related murders and kidnappings, law-enforcement officials told an Arizona Senate subcommittee on Monday.

During their testimony, the experts described recent gunbattles just south of the border where Mexican gangs fought rival cartels as well as police, blasting away with machine guns and lobbing hand grenades.

"This is organized crime," said Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard. "The enemy we are combating is extremely well organized, extremely disciplined and extremely well trained."

Goddard joined federal, state and local police leaders in a state Judiciary Committee session convened to evaluate the effects and perils of border-related violence.

Smugglers have used Arizona's mostly isolated border to funnel drugs and humans during the past five years. But the state's southern neighbor, Sonora, is emerging as a new battleground in the power struggles among cartels and police.

Dan Wells, Intelligence Bureau commander at the state Department of Public Safety, listed a series of brazen gunfights just below the border during the past two years:

• In April 2007, 70 paramilitary enforcers known as Los Zetas, working for the Gulf Cartel, attacked a police station in Cananea, leaving 22 dead, including five officers. Afterward, about 40 percent of the local police force resigned.

• In October 2008, a convoy of Los Zetas was intercepted in Nogales by Sonoran state police. Ten gangsters were killed and three officers wounded during the shootout.

• On Nov. 1, 2008, armed gunmen attacked the police station in Nogales. The next day, the state police commander was assassinated by a sniper during an ambush outside a hotel. Then, on Nov. 3, police exchanged fire for three hours with gang members.

"It was such (a) heavy firefight that police were actually calling for reinforcements . . . and asking for ammunition from the American side," said Wells.

Law-enforcement officials took turns explaining the link between Mexico's drug conflicts and crime in the United States. The gist of their testimony is an old story: Drugs and immigrants are smuggled north; cash and guns are moved south.

But the officials said bloodshed that historically has been confined to Mexico is escalating and migrating. Phoenix now ranks second in the world in kidnappings for ransom, behind Mexico City. In 2008, Phoenix reported 366 abductions, mostly tied to Mexican human smugglers and narcotics gangs.

"The violence associated with drug cartels is also reaching into Arizona," Wells said. "This is a new and rising phenomenon that is very alarming."

During Monday's hearing, law officers described how various task forces strive to combat the crime wave and mentioned the importance of funding, but offered no novel solutions.

The Legislature is expected to consider several related bills this year. One would make it a felony to harbor or conceal illegal immigrants; another would impose more severe penalties on smugglers who use or threaten violence.

Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, used the forum to criticize former Gov. Janet Napolitano, now the nation's Homeland Security director, saying she does not seem to appreciate the danger. And during a recess, he complained that Napolitano "did nothing" as governor to combat border-related crime. He subsequently acknowledged that she had declared a state of emergency, pressed for more enforcement funding and beefed up DPS crime-fighting along the border.

Outside the hearing, Goddard noted that Napolitano prosecuted countless violent drug violators as the former attorney general and U.S. attorney for Arizona.

"She mobilized the National Guard along the . . . border," he added, responding to Pearce's comments. "Excuse me, but that shows some understanding that we're in an armed confrontation."

Goddard said the U.S. has not experienced the open gunbattles seen in Mexico because the cartels have sought to avoid violence on the U.S. side of the border.

"But, frankly, I'm not sure they're going to be able to stop it," he said. "The fight between cartels is to dominate certain drug-smuggling corridors, but those exist on the north side of the border as well as the south."

AZMEX MATAS POLICIAS 23-2-2009

2011-10-14T18:36:00.001-07:00

AZMEX MATASPOLICIAS 23 FEB 2009

Note: would suspect it was rifles, not pistols

Narcos increase arms purchases cop killers
February 23, 2009 04:51 The Universal / The Journal of Sonora

   According to Newell, the Gulf cartel and the Pacific (Sinalos) are the leading consumers of weapons.
U.S. warn of possible attacks against Mexican officials due to increased sales of firearms capable of penatrating armored vehicles

City of Mexico.
  The U.S. official William D. Newell warned of possible attacks by organized crime against senior officials in Mexico due to increased sales of firearms capable of passing armored vehicles.

According to the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Snuff, Firearms and Explosives (ATF, for its acronym in English) in Phoenix, Arizona, has grown markedly marketing 50 caliber pistols, known as "cop killer".

In conference at U.S. Embassy in Mexico, said that since the start of the Gunrunner project in April 2005, the number of arrests for arms trafficking has increased 450 percent.

He explained that in 2008 the agency in charge of investigations carried out 202 investigations that resulted in the arrest of 300 individuals involved in that crime.

Between October 2008 and 17 Feb. 230 inquiries were initiated which resulted in the seizure of more than 400 weapons and thousands of cartridges intended to be sold illegally in Mexico.

According to the official in Arizona, unusual increase in the sale of 50 caliber pistols, so it is likely to initiate attacks on organized crime leaders of criminal groups or senior officials.

The weapons mentioned has enough power to pass some light armor vehicles and bulletproof vests that are used in these areas, he added.

Of all firearms investigations initiated by the ATF, half were at the request of the Attorney General's Office (PGR), which requested the tracking of weapons confiscated in Mexico, explained the head of the ATF in Phoenix.

He said the main points of entry of arms from the American Union towards Mexico are Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Nogales, Naco and Agua Prieta, Sonora, and Tijuana, Baja California.

According to Newell, the Gulf cartel and the Pacific are the leading consumers of weapons.

Narcos aumentan compra de armas matapolicías
23 February, 2009 04:51 El Universal/El Diario de Sonora
Tamaño de la fuente:
   Según Newell, los cárteles del Golfo y del Pacífico son los principales demandantes de armamento.
Alertan en Estados Unidos sobre posibles ataques contra altos funcionarios mexicanos debido al incremento en la venta de armas de fuego capaces de traspasar los vehículos blindados

Ciudad de México.
  El funcionario estadunidense William D. Newell alertó sobre posibles ataques del crimen organizado en México contra altos funcionarios debido al incremento en la venta de armas de fuego capaces de traspasar los vehículos blindados.

De acuerdo con el director de la Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF, por sus siglas en inglés) , en Phoenix, Arizona, ha crecido notoriamente la comercialización de pistolas calibre 50, conocidas como "matapolicías".

En conferencia en la Embajada de Estados Unidos en México, refirió que desde la entrada en vigor del proyecto Gunrunner, en abril de 2005, el número de arrestos por tráfico de armas se incrementó 450 por ciento.

Detalló que durante 2008 el organismo a su cargo llevó a cabo 202 investigaciones que derivaron en la detención de 300 sujetos implicados en ese delito.

Entre octubre de 2008 y el 17 de febrero pasado se iniciaron 230 indagatorias que dieron como resultado el decomiso de más de 400 armas y miles de cartuchos que pretendían comercializarse ilegalmente en México, describió.

De acuerdo con el funcionario de Arizona, es inusual el aumento en la venta de pistolas calibre 50, por lo que es probable que el crimen organizado emprenda ataques contra los líderes de los grupos delictivos o funcionarios de alto rango.

El armamento referido tiene la potencia suficiente para traspasar algunos blindajes ligeros de vehículos, así como los chalecos antibalas que se utilizan en esas esferas, añadió.

Del total de investigaciones sobre armas de fuego iniciadas por la ATF, la mitad fueron a petición de la Procuraduría General de la República (PGR) , que solicitó el rastreo de artefactos decomisados en territorio mexicano, expuso el titular de la ATF en Phoenix.

Indicó que los principales puntos de entrada de armas desde la Unión Americana hacia México son Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo y Reynosa, Tamaulipas; Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua; Nogales, Naco y Agua Prieta, Sonora, así como Tijuana, Baja California.

Según Newell, los cárteles del Golfo y del Pacífico son los principales demandantes de armamento.

AZMEX CORRUPTION 19-2-2009

2011-10-14T18:34:00.001-07:00

AZMEX CORRUPTION 19 FEB 2009

Richardson: Law enforcement circus continues
Comments 7 | Recommend 2
BILL RICHARDSON, COMMENTARY

February 19, 2009 - 9:48PM
DIGG| SAVE| PRINT| E-MAIL|

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and children of all ages, once again it's show time.

Performing for your entertainment this week is the renowned TAG Team of Thomas, Arpaio and Goddard. Once again we're going to be treated to the state's master showmen of elected law enforcement officials.

The first act was Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who started the week's entertainment by rounding up "deadbeat dads" on Valentine's Day. Joe stole for show. The sheriff gave us the same old schtick, including his world-renowned growling for the camera, as he showed off another catch of low-hanging fruit chained up in pink handcuffs. If you're easy to find and arrest, he'll track you down and parade you around like you're Charles Manson, even if your charged with a cracked windshield.

Not to be outdone, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, who wants to be governor, dragged out his signature cause of cold pills and meth in an attempt to hog Joe's limelight. Even though meth is now controlled by the Mexican drug cartels and local lab seizures are down from more than 200 in 2002 to less than a dozen in 2007, Goddard is out beating that same old cold pill drum for the crowds.

If Goddard chose to, he could easily lead the reform of Arizona's outdated and inefficient statewide law enforcement system and attack organized crime. Instead he follows Arpaio's example of picking the easy ones that make for good sound bytes and pretty pictures.

And bringing up the rear is Arpaio groupie and another governor wannabe, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.

Thomas also never misses an opportunity to get media attention. The politically ambitious lawyer announced that he has decided the victimization of elderly citizens deserves the attention of his office. He's just figured that out?

Unfortunately for Thomas, the attorney general's office has for decades taken the point on these types of difficult, costly and lengthy prosecutions. Arpaio's dutiful sidekick and legal muscle may want to bite the bullet and pass off the prosecution of elder abusers to the pros and stick to going after the minnows that's he's shown a real vocation for. For all the tough talk and macho bravado, Thomas doesn't worry the sharks in the sea.

While the TAG Team was jockeying for local headlines to promote their own agendas, the Los Angeles Times ran another story as part of their series on the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime gangs that are destroying Mexico and spreading though the United States. The Feb. 12 story was titled "Phoenix, kidnap-for-ransom capital," more national and international recognition of Arizona's steady decline.

According to the Times, there were 366 reported kidnappings in Phoenix alone in 2008. The word "reported" is key because just like with sexual assaults, many more go unreported. And while there are those who will beat the anti-immigrant drum and blame the problems on undocumented aliens, kidnappers from around the world target anyone with the ability to pay a ransom. Kidnappings might soon be coming to a neighborhood near you. They may already be there and you just don't know it. Mexico is only 90 minutes away.

Kidnappings are used by organized crime to get cash and instill fear.

The Times also reported that Arizona has become the new drug gateway into the United States. Maricopa County has long been a major transshipment point for drugs from Mexico. Sadly, the TAG Team's show only distracts the public from the real threat of organized crime that the U.S. Justice Department reports is responsible for 80 percent of the crime in America.

Organized crime has only prospered under the Tag Team's rule. Instead of fixing what's broken and doing the jobs the public voted them into office to do, our elected law and order watch dogs are continually groveling for free publicity to satisfy their political ambition and insatiable quest for attention.

If you want protection, buy a gun and get a dog because the TAG Team is primping for their next media appearance.

Retired Mesa master police officer Bill Richardson lives in the East Valley and can be reached at bill.richardson@cox.net.

Publication: Tribune 2003-Current; Date: Jan 6, 2006; Section: East Valley Opinion; Page: 34

PUBLIC CORRUPTION
- Will mordida put bite on Arizona?
Scale of bribes with which drug cartels can tempt officials is cause for concern
- Retired Mesa master police officer Bill Richardson lives in the East Valley and can be reached at bill.richardson@ cox.net.

   La mordida (the bite, or squeeze) — bribery reaching into the highest levels of government.

   It’s what has allowed the Mexican drug cartels to grow into multi-billion-dollar a year businesses that control much of the hemisphere south of the US. border. It’s a way of life in Mexico.

   The recent arrests in Arizona of fifty U.S. officials by the FBI on corruption charges are cause for very serious concern. An explosive wave of organized crime and corruption is coming to America, and as usual our elected leaders seem to be “stuck on stupid.”

   “Build the fence, don’t build the fence.” Maybe 25 years ago a fence would have kept the illegals out. By the time the U.S. government could even get enough American citizens to work on such a massive project most of Mexico will have already been living here, happily and illegally.

   And what about all of the political posturing by Gov. Janet Napolitano, Attorney General Terry Goddard, Valley mayors, city councils and law enforcement officials over controlling cold medicine in a purported effort to control methamphetamine production? Maybe a good move decades ago, but more than 90 percent of the meth in the U.S. is now manufactured in Mexican “super labs” with shiploads of chemicals from China. Mexico can surely produce all of the meth the U.S. demands.

   Arizona politicians are always a day late and dollar short, unless it comes to their political war chests. For most politicians, who wouldn’t know an illegal from a legal, or meth from heroin, it’s all about the “M” word. They constantly yell “Meth” and “Mexicans” to get Media attention and Money.

   Will mordida become one of Arizona’s favorite “M” words? The ongoing FBI investigation into corruption is directly related to the drug trafficking and organized crime that are also a big part of Arizona’s booming economy.

   The 50 the FBI has arrested so far have been lowlevel crooks who transported small loads of narcotics and sold drivers licenses. These little fish were easy prey. One old-time cop said catching these mopes is easier than fishing with hand grenades at a trout farm.

   In the early ’80s, the FBI’s Operation Greylord used similar tactics in a narcoticsbased investigation of official corruption in Chicago. Greylord targeted and caught the big boys in the public corruption food chain who had sweeping powers to compromise the integrity of much of the system. That’s a far cry from the flunkies who have been arrested so far in the ongoing corruption investigation.

   Hopefully the FBI is looking a little higher up in government, as they did in Chicago. The Mexican drug cartels are making billions of dollars every year and have a very successful record of corrupting people at the highest levels of government and business throughout Latin America.

   Judging on state and federal history, some of our own politicians, high-ranking law enforcement officials, judges, lawyers and their political operatives have taken their fair share of mordida. It’s been 15 years since the Phoenix police and Maricopa County Attorney’s Office conducted the AzScam investigation into corrupt officials who took payoffs to help organized crime.

   The AzScam investigation targeted and captured many at the highest levels of Arizona government. It wasn’t that hard to get some of the state’s most trusted leaders to take what they thought was the mob’s blood money. Some AzScam crooks went to jail; others snitched and some walked away scot-free. It was the last investigation that targeted Arizona’s power brokers who were suspected of selling out.

   Those who want to compromise our system of laws today could offer mordida in the hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of dollars, not the few thousand or a couple hundred that changed hands during AzScam.

   The threat of public corruption by Mexican drug cartels won’t stop at the border no matter how tall the fence is or how many border patrolmen there are. The only stop the cartels will make is to drop off the cash to ensure nothing interferes with their business and growing profits. While politicians and law enforcement officials try to give the appearance of action and leadership on emotional issues, you have to wonder if official corruption and la mordida are slowly becoming a way of life in Arizona.

   The FBI won’t be able to stop it alone. One mobbusting FBI agent said vice has been around forever. It’ll never go away.

   The real evil is the money it can generate to enable the corruption of public officials.

AZMEX NOGALES ARMS 15-2-2009

2011-10-14T18:33:00.001-07:00

AZMEX NOGALES ARMS 15 FEB 2009

Caen sicarios
15 February, 2009 05:08 Redacción/El Diario
Tamaño de la fuente:
Los tres presuntos miembros del crimen organizado que opera en esta frontera fueron capturados.
Una banda de tres presuntos miembros del crimen organizado que opera en esta frontera fueron capturados en posesión de un importante arsenal por elementos de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena) durante una persecución que se produjo la madrugada de este sábado.

El Ejército los detuvo en posesión de 3 “cuernos de chivos” y mil 700 cartuchos

Agua Prieta, Sonora

Una banda de tres presuntos miembros del crimen organizado que opera en esta frontera fueron capturados en posesión de un importante arsenal por elementos de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena) durante una persecución que se produjo la madrugada de este sábado.
La persecución inició desde una de las estaciones de gasolina ubicada frente a las instalaciones de la guarnición militar alrededor de las 04:00 horas y concluyó con la detención de estos delincuentes cuando intentaban introducirse a una vivienda ubicada en calles 6 y 7 avenida 8 número 196, en pleno centro de la ciudad.
Los ocupantes de las dos unidades fueron identificados como Jesús Coronado Aguilar y Jesús Antonio Moreno Grijalva, originarios de Hermosillo, así como Marcelino Armando Martínez, residente de Agua Prieta.
Trascendió que dos de los tres delincuentes fueron aprehendidos cuando aún se encontraban a bordo de uno de los automóviles, mientras que un tercero logró ingresar a la vivienda por la cochera, por lo que los soldados penetraron a la casa y lograron detenerlo.
Las autoridades castrenses solicitaron el apoyo de la Procuraduría General de la República, por lo que de inmediato arribaron al lugar de los hechos el agente del Ministerio Público Federal, J. Abel Soliz Mercado y elementos de la Agencia Federal de Investigación (AFI).
Acto seguido, los militares procedieron a inspeccionar el interior de las dos unidades, y en la parte trasera de la cabina lograron asegurar tres rifles AK-47, tres cargadores tipo disco para este tipo arma larga, así como 12 cargadores tradicionales para el “cuerno de chivo”.
Además, 1,400 cartuchos calibre 7.62 x 39, dos fornituras de policía, 3 gorras de color negro con las insignias de la Policía Estatal Investigadora (PEI), dos chalecos antibalas, un juego de esposas, tres cargadores calibre .9 milímetros, tres cargadores para pistola calibre súper y más de 300 cartuchos de diferentes calibres.
Los tres presuntos delincuentes que operaban en esta ciudad, así como el armamento y los dos automóviles quedaron a disposición de la Agencia del Ministerio Púbico de la Federación, radicado en esta frontera, ante quién rindieron su declaración ministerial.
La vivienda quedó asegurada por la Procuraduría General de la República (PGR), y trascendió que era utilizada simplemente como “guarida” de estos presuntos criminales pues prácticamente estaba vacía, excepto por unas pequeñas camas que se encontraban en una de los habitaciones.

AZMEX Citizens want arms 8-2-2009

2011-10-14T18:06:00.000-07:00

Neighbors threaten to arm themselves against insecurity
Dale Cologne
Meza Froylan
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Tired that the police do not deal with insecurity, inhabitants of the colony Dale said they are willing to arm themselves to defend their property and their lives. "I already convinced myself that the thieves here pay off the patrol, and I'm not willing to continue them hurting us," said Jose Antonio, who lives on the perimeter of the square.
At first, the parent disavowed any attempt to form any armed group. "We've talked. We saw at first like a stitch, but we're taking it very seriously, some have already bought a gun. "
- Eye for an Eye?
"No - said Jose Antonio -. I have to say we do not believe that violence is the solution, but I know that the law protects us if we defend ourselves inside our home, "he said.
- How serious is the uncertainty in the colony Dale?, He was asked.
"Look, if you ask the Lord of the workshop here, he's going to give details of recent car thefts: just took a van Friday, and that falls to him all the information, and is responsible to advise alarms and systems put 'short-stream' and the like. "
On the west side of the colony, to the stream of the Rosary have been countless thefts of vehicles. "Here at the turn of the school, they just steal a van outside the house to neighbors," said Mrs. Emilita, a resident of the colony.
"There are cholos waiting for young couples to spend the night to raid - outlined the lady -: the other day my daughter's boyfriend, they took his cell ... were two: one tall, bald of beard, and a squat. When the patrol arrived, the officer asked if he was not Tom, that is, if you know the names of the thugs. They do know who and where they live, and everyone in the neighborhood say that the thieves will pass a 'mocha' the 'cops', and therefore let them "work" without being disturbed. "
(Froilan Meza Rivera / THE DAILY)
fmeza@diarioch.com.mx

Vecinos amagan con armarse por la inseguridad
Colonia Dale
Froylan Meza
Domingo, 08 de Febrero de 2009
Cansados ya de que la policía no remedie la inseguridad, habitantes de la colonia Dale dijeron que están dispuestos a armarse para defender sus propiedades y sus vidas. “Yo ya me convencí de que los rateros aquí le rinden cuentas a los patrulleros, y no estoy dispuesto a que nos sigan haciendo daño”, advirtió José Antonio, quien vive en el perímetro de la placita.
De entrada, el padre de familia se deslindó de cualquier intento por conformar ningún grupo armado. “Ya lo hemos platicado. Lo vimos al principio como una puntada, pero ya estamos tomando muy en serio; algunos ya compraron una pistola”.
-- ¿Ojo por ojo?
“No --dijo José Antonio--. Tengo que decirle que no creemos que la violencia sea la solución, pero yo sé que la ley nos protege si nos defendemos adentro de nuestra casa”, acotó.
-- ¿Qué tan grave está la inseguridad en la colonia Dale?, se le preguntó.
“Mira, si le preguntas aquí al señor del taller, él te va a dar detalles de los últimos robos de automóviles: apenas el viernes se llevaron una camioneta, y ahí le cae a él toda la información, y se encarga de aconsejarnos para que pongamos alarmas y sistemas de ‘corta-corriente’ y otros similares”.
En el lado Poniente de la colonia, hacia el arroyo de la Rosario, han sido incontables los robos de vehículos. “Acá a la vuelta de la escuela, les acaban de robar una camioneta de afuera de la casa a unos vecinos”, señaló doña Emilita, vecina de la colonia.
“Hay unos cholos que esperan a que pasen parejas de jóvenes en la noche para asaltarlas --reseñó la doña--: el otro día al novio de mi hija le quitaron el celular... eran dos: uno alto, pelón de barbita, y otro chaparro. Cuando llegó la patrulla, el agente les preguntó que si no era fulano, o sea, que sí se saben los nombres de los malandros. Sí saben quiénes son y dónde viven, y todos dicen en el barrio que los rateros les pasan una ‘mochada’ a los ‘chotas’, y que por eso los dejan ‘trabajar’ sin que sean molestados”.
(Froilán Meza Rivera/ EL DIARIO)
fmeza@diarioch.com.mx

AZMEX Villa Ahumada battle 11-2-2009

2011-10-14T17:55:00.001-07:00

Chocan Ejército y narcos: 21 muertos
Cruento enfrentamiento; entre las víctimas hay un soldado
De la Redacción
Miércoles, 11 de Febrero de 2009
Un enfrentamiento entre presuntos narcotraficantes y elementos del Ejército dejó un saldo de 21 muertos: primero un comando armado secuestró a nueve habitantes de Villa Ahumada durante la madrugada del martes y ejecutó a seis de ellos, posteriormente en dos enfrentamientos con militares murieron 14 sicarios y un militar.
En la escena del primer enfrentamiento, un camino conocido como El Vergel que se ubica en el kilómetro 303 de la carretera Chihuahua-Ciudad Juárez, quedaron muertos siete de los presuntos delincuentes, un sargento –cuya identidad no fue proporcionada-, un soldado herido y las personas a las que se había sacrificado previamente.
En ese mismo sitio, los militares rescataron a tres individuos que iban a ser ajusticiados por los sicarios.
Al parecer, un grupo de pistoleros logró escapar y tras una persecución que se extendió por 10 kilómetros llegaron hasta las cercanías de Samalayuca, a dos kilómetros al Sur del rancho Los Cachorros, donde otros siete integrantes del comando fueron abatidos a tiros por los soldados.
Datos oficiales indican que los militares lograron decomisar en las escenas de los enfrentamientos 25 armas largas de las conocidas como “cuerno de chivo” y calibre .223, tres pistolas, 18 chalecos antibalas, cuatro unidades vehiculares de reciente modelo, cargadores y cartuchos de diferentes calibres, además de uniformes y cascos militares muy similares a los utilizados por las fuerzas armadas de los Estados Unidos.
Las personas que se enfrentaron a los soldados estaban también en posesión de diferentes artículos utilizados en campamentos, tales como casas de campaña, lámparas, bolsas para dormir y cobijas, por lo que se cree que se internarían en el monte para refugiarse.

Todo comenzó por la madrugada.- El presidente municipal de Villa Ahumada, Fidel Chávez, informó que entre la una y la una y media de la mañana le reportaron la presencia de tres comandos conformados por personas desconocidas que recorrían las calles del poblado.
“No sé si serían soldados u otro tipo de gente”, señaló.
Ayer por la mañana recolectaron más datos y encontraron una casa baleada, otra vivienda a la que le tumbaron el portón para sacar un automóvil y otras de donde sacaron a tres personas, de las cuales se ignoraba su destino hasta ayer por la tarde, dijo.
“Son gente conocida del pueblo, pero no sabemos dónde están, no sabemos su paradero”, declaró.
Los privados ilegalmente de su libertad son Octavio Cortés Sánchez de oficio carpintero, Clemente González Valdés, que labora en un establecimiento de quesadillas y burros, además de Martín Silva Quezada, quien se dedicaba a la venta de automóviles.
“Sabemos que llegaron por ellos porque les tumbaron la puerta y se los llevaron, pero hasta ahí, no tenemos conocimiento de algún cuerpo en la cabecera municipal, aunque el Municipio es demasiado grande”, explicó.
El edil mencionó que los familiares de estas personas se abocaron a realizar las pesquisas necesarias y a interponer las denuncias correspondientes ante las autoridades estatales, ya que los municipales no tienen injerencia en la persecución de ese tipo de delitos.
“Nosotros nos amanecimos con la novedad de que nos faltaban tres del pueblo”, mencionó.
Al parecer, la incursión del comando duró hasta cerca de las cuatro de la mañana, y tras lograr sus objetivos salieron del pueblo con rumbo al Norte.
Enseguida, los parientes de los “levantados” se comunicaron con las fuerzas militares para denunciar el hecho, tras lo cuál se comenzó a articular un operativo por tierra y aire para tratar de establecer el paradero del convoy de sicarios.
Datos extraoficiales indican que los militares utilizaron dos helicópteros y avionetas en el rastreo, el cual tuvo resultados después del amanecer, cuando ubicaron al grupo sobre el camino conocido como El Vergel, ubicado en el kilómetro 303 de la carretera Chihuahua-Ciudad Juárez, a 47 kilómetros de la salida Sur de Ciudad Juárez.
En un paraje ubicado a medio kilómetro hacia el poniente de la vía, los pistoleros ya habían ejecutado a seis personas y estaban a punto de matar a las otras tres cuando llegaron los soldados, quienes los enfrentaron a balazos.
En ese lugar cayeron muertos siete de los presuntos sicarios, además de un militar, mientras que otro salió herido, pero ya está fuera de peligro, confirmó en el mismo lugar de los hechos el portavoz de la Operación Conjunta Chihuahua, Enrique Torres.
Al verse sorprendido, otro grupo escapó del sitio, pero fue perseguido por aire y tierra por un tramo de 10 kilómetros hacia el Norte.
Entre ambos puntos se ubica el puesto de revisión militar del kilómetro 315 de la carretera Chihuahua-Ciudad Juárez, donde antes se instaló Precos, pero no está claro si los prófugos atravesaron la carretera o viajaron por brechas.
El grupo alcanzó a llegar hasta muy cerca de Samalayuca, donde se enfrentó con soldados que llegaron en humvees y bajaron a rapel desde helicópteros que sobrevolaban el área.
A 500 metros al Oriente de la carretera quedaron los cuerpos de cuatro hombres, mientras que otros tres alcanzaron a avanzar 300 metros más antes de caer abatidos por las balas de los militares.
En ese lugar, Torres confirmó la presencia de los siete fallecidos.
En ambos escenarios se presentaron familiares de algunas de las personas que habían sido privadas de su libertad para tratar de establecer si sus seres queridos estaban entre las víctimas o entre los rescatados, pero no se les permitió acercarse ni se les dio información.
Junto a los cuerpos de los presuntos pistoleros fallecidos se encontraron armas largas, se informó en el lugar de los hechos y se apreció en un video proporcionado por las fuerzas militares.
Personal del Servicio Médico Forense (Semefo) se hizo cargo del levantamiento de todos los cuerpos, los que fueron trasladados a sus instalaciones para practicarles la necropsia de ley para establecer las causas legales de sus muertes.
También se esperaba que sus parientes acudieran a identificarlos y a reclamar sus restos para sepultarlos.
A los lugares de los enfrentamientos se presentaron también agentes del Ministerio Público, así como elementos de la Policía Ministerial, aunque no se informó si la investigación acerca de los hechos quedará en manos del estado o de la federación.
Hasta ayer por la noche ninguna autoridad emitió algún comunicado sobre lo ocurrido ni informaron el móvil de la incursión del comando en Villa Ahumada.
redaccion@redaccion.diario.com.mx

11 de Febrero del 2009
VERSIÓN OFICIAL DE LA PGR SOBRE EL ENFRENTAMIENTO EN VILLA AHUMADA

Por: Andrés Rodríguez

Emite la Procuraduría General de la República un comunicado oficial donde describe las balaceras ocurridas en el poblado de Villa Ahumada y sus alrededores, que dejaron a 14 sicarios muertos, 6 de los secuestrados y un elemento de la milicia.

Aquí el comunidado:

La Procuraduría General de la República tomó conocimiento de un enfrentamiento entre militares y delincuentes que habían secuestrado a civiles en la población de Villa Ahumada, Chihuahua, y dio inicio a la averiguación previa AP/PGR/CHI/JUA/255/09-IV.

El Ejército Mexicano enfrentó la madrugada de ayer a un grupo delictivo en la localidad de Samalayuca, Chihuahua, y dio muerte a catorce sicarios que habían secuestrado y asesinado a seis habitantes del municipio de Villa Ahumada.

Al realizar reconocimientos en el área, soldados del 20º Regimiento de Caballería Motorizado, en rápida acción militar y con el apoyo de helicópteros, interceptaron a los delincuentes, luego de que éstos habían incursionado, a las tres de la mañana, en la población de Villa Ahumada para secuestrar a seis civiles. Los elementos del Ejército detuvieron el convoy de cinco camionetas en que se transportaban los sicarios.

En la brecha El Vergel, los soldados tuvieron un primer enfrentamiento y al repeler a los agresores fallecieron tres personas. Al continuar con la acción militar, tanto por tierra como por aire con la ayuda de dos helicópteros Bell 212 y dos MD53OF, en tres ocasiones las fuerzas armadas intercambiaron fuego y dieron muerte a otros once agresores.

Al hacer la revisión de los vehículos en que viajaban los secuestradores, los militares se dieron cuenta de que en el interior de una camioneta Dodge Durango gris se encontraban seis cuerpos sin vida, presumiblemente vecinos de Villa Ahumada que habían sido “levantados” en la madrugada. Los cadáveres estaban apilados, amordazados y con el tiro de gracia.

Luego del operativo militar se aseguraron 35 armas largas, cuatro cortas, 148 cargadores abastecidos con cartuchos de diversos calibres, cuatro granadas, cartuchos útiles para armas de fuego, chalecos antibalas y cascos, así como siete vehículos: una camioneta Dodge Durango, una Dodge Ram Pick Up 4x4, una Honda tipo Ridgeline, una pick up Dodge Ram, una Lincoln Escalade, una Dodge Ram pick up 1500 y otra Dodge Durango; estas tres últimas unidades cuentan con placas de circulación americanas.

Entre las pertenencias de los fallecidos se hallaron credenciales del IFE que se refieren a estas personas como oriundos de Ahome, Bacayopa y Choix, Sinaloa; Nogales, Sonora y de Madera, Chihuahua.

Lamentablemente en uno de los enfrentamientos fue ultimado el Sargento Segundo de Caballería Ángel Macrino Manzo Ávila y resultó herido un elemento de tropa de nombre Plutarco Obregón Trujillo, que se encuentra hospitalizado en el nosocomio militar de Chihuahua y su estado es estable.

La labor de inteligencia que permitió esta exitosa operación militar forma parte de la campaña permanente contra el narcotráfico y la aplicación de la Ley Federal de Armas de Fuego y Explosivos.

El presidente de la República, licenciado Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, lamentó la pérdida del Sargento Segundo en cumplimiento de su deber y resaltó el valor de los elementos militares que participaron en este enfrentamiento y que evitaron la impunidad de estos grupos delictivos.

Las investigaciones del Ministerio Público Federal y del personal militar continúan, a pesar de las condiciones climatológicas del lugar, que se ha visto afectado por fuertes nevadas.

Conforme avancen las investigaciones se informará a la opinión pública.

AZMEX LaJunta hit 6-2-2009

2011-10-14T17:53:00.000-07:00

Note: these latest "hits" were in rural SW Chihuahua state. Notable mainly for the 90 rounds used in one of them.
thx

CUAUHTÉMOC

/El Diario (Chih, Chih.)

Semana sangrienta en la región; dos ejecutados mas, ahora en La Junta

De la Redacción
Viernes, 06 de Febrero de 2009
Aumenta la cuenta de ejecutados en la región en esta sangrienta semana.
Ayer en La Junta, Guerrero, fueron ejecutados 2 hombres en la colonia Mirador, aparentemente cerca del domicilio de uno de ellos.
Los hechos ocurrieron alrededor de la 1:00 de la tarde en la intersección de las calles Felipe Ángeles y Jiménez. Todo hace suponer que el copiloto al bajar de una camioneta ram colo verde oscuro, otro vehículo se les acercó y les comenzó a disparar, dejando al copiloto tirado sobre la calle cercado e iniciando una persecución contra el conductor de la unidad que intentaba escapar.
metros adelante, en el cruce de las calles Felipe Ángeles e Industrias, el chofer quedó muerto dentro de la camioneta tras ser alcanzado por las balas.
Los hoy occisos viajaban a bordo de un vehículo pick up, Dodge, Ram, 1500, color verde, cabina y media 4 x 4, mismo que presentaba múltiples impactos de proyectil de arma de fuego y a bordo del cual fue localizado el cuerpo de uno de los fallecidos, hasta el momento no identificado plenamente.
El protocolo de información enviado por al Subporcuraduría de Justicia Zona Occidente establece que el copiloto fue identificado como José Luis Delgado Veleta; del segundo, versiones policiacas comentaron se le conocía como “el memo”.
Personal especializado en la escena del crimen, embaló recogió mas de 90 casquillos percutidos calibre 7.62 x 39 y .223, que se localizaron a lo largo de la calle Felipe Ángeles, desde donde se encontró el primer cuerpo sobre la calle hasta donde se localizó el vehículo con el segundo cuerpo.
La Policía Ministerial Investigadora inició con la indagatoria en torno a los hechos sucedidos alrededor de la 1:00 p.m. del día; mientras tanto, personal de Servicios Periciales se hizo cargo de realizar los análisis correspondientes a la evidencia localizada, así como de la necropsia de ambos cuerpos.
En el lugar, que fue ampliamente resguardado por agentes ministeriales y militares, los Agentes del Ministerio Público levantaron numerosos casquillos que se encontraban regados en los mas de 100 metros que separan a las calles Jiménez e Industrias, sobre la calle Felipe Angeles.
Tan solo en el vidrio frontal de la camioneta, se apreciaban mas de 15 disparos, además de otra cantidad de tiros sobre las puertas de la camioneta.

Estas recientes ejecuciones, se unen al tiroteo ocurrido en domingo en el carril de caballos en El Terrero, con saldo oficial de 3 muertos; el “levantón” de 2 personas en la plaza de El Molino el pasado miércoles y donde se encotraron casquillos de arma de fuego y rastros de sangre. Ayer, la ejecución de otras 2 personas en La Junta, Guerrero.
Sin embargo, las cifras extraoficiales aseguran que hubo decenas de muertos en las carreras de El Terrero, que esa misma noche ocurrió otro enfrentamiento en El Molino con saldo de 5 muertos, versiones sin confirmar por las autoridades policiacas.

AZMEX KIDNAPPINGS 12-2-09

2011-05-29T22:21:00.000-07:00

Note: following is yet another example of why we need to be free to effectively defend ourselves and families.
thx

From LA times

Phoenix, kidnap-for-ransom capital

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
Juan Francisco Perez-Torres sits in the back of a Phoenix police vehicle after he is rescued from kidnappers who demanded $150,000 and 50 pounds of marijuana. Video Q&A >>>
Juan Francisco Perez-Torres was abducted last month in front of his home and ransom demanded. Hundreds of such incidents occur each year in Phoenix, and Mexican drug-smuggling is usually involved.
By Sam Quinones
February 12, 2009
Reporting from Phoenix -- In broad daylight one January afternoon, on a street of ranch-style houses with kidney-shaped swimming pools, Juan Francisco Perez-Torres was kidnapped in front of his wife, daughter and three neighbors.

Two men with a gun grabbed the 34-year-old from his van and dragged him 50 yards to a waiting SUV. His wife threw rocks at the car, then gave chase in her own SUV. Neighbors in northwest Phoenix called police. Yet when police found her later, she at first denied there was a problem.

On the phone later, as detectives listened in, kidnappers said Perez-Torres had stolen someone's marijuana.

But police were used to conflicting story lines by now. It was Phoenix, after all: More ransom kidnappings happen here than in any other town in America, according to local and federal law enforcement authorities. Most every victim and suspect is connected to the drug-smuggling world, usually tracing back to the western Mexican state of Sinaloa, Phoenix police report.

Arizona has become the new drug gateway into the United States. Roughly half of all marijuana seized along the U.S.-Mexico border was taken on the state's 370-mile border with Mexico.

One result is an epidemic of kidnapping that many residents are barely aware of. Indeed, most every other crime here is down. But police received 366 kidnapping-for-ransom reports last year, and 359 in 2007. Police estimate twice that number go unreported.

In September, police spun off a separate detective unit to handle only these smuggling-related kidnappings and home-invasion robberies. Its detectives are now considered among the country's most expert in those crimes.

That Thursday afternoon last month, Perez-Torres' abduction fell to the unit's two most seasoned detectives, Gina Garcia and Arnulfo "Sal" Salgado, as they were about to leave work. Over the next 42 hours, the kidnapping would consume their every waking moment.

"You never know which way it's going to go," Garcia said. "Sometimes you hear the victim screaming, pleading for help, pleading for their life. You have to stay calm. Talk is huge in this business."

Talk got serious that night, about seven hours after Perez-Torres was abducted.

Over the phone, the kidnapper sounded drunk.

"Get moving," he told Andres, a partner with Perez-Torres in a small-scale auto sales business, who pretended to be the victim's brother. "Start selling things."

He demanded $150,000.

Standing with Andres in the department's "kidnap room" -- a small office with a window, television and tape recorder -- Garcia mouthed responses. "Tell him you want to talk to the victim," she said. "Don't agree to anything."

Garcia was a child when she crossed the Mexico-Arizona border illegally with her parents and eight siblings. She grew up in a tough Phoenix barrio, obtained legal status and was steered to police work by a youth activities program. Five years ago, she joined the kidnapping unit, and has worked hundreds of cases since then.

Her job is to steady the nerves of victims' relatives as they take calls from kidnappers, who often torture their victims while talking to the families. Sometimes she steps in and, in a bit of life-or-death theater, pretends to be the victim's cousin or friend. That's when her native norteño accent pays off.

Andres, who asked that his surname not be used for this article, didn't need much calming. He pleaded well -- not too whiny, not too insistent.

"Put yourself in my place. I want to know how my brother is. I want to hear his voice," he said. "Why don't you put him on the phone for a bit?"

The kidnapper refused, said he'd call the next morning. The conversation ended.

In Phoenix, kidnappers apparently don't call after midnight; usually, they're sleeping or they're high. So Garcia and the other detectives went home. It was late, and things were off to a typical start.

Ransom kidnapping is a rare crime in America. Most cops go their entire careers without handling one. These days, most kidnappings involve a husband taking a child from an estranged wife. That's how things were in Phoenix until a few years ago.

Then things changed in Sinaloa.

Along the Pacific Coast several hours south of Arizona, Sinaloa is the state where drug smuggling in Mexico began. Most Mexican cartels originated there. Kidnapping was how they collected debts. For many years, they kidnapped other smugglers and left law-abiding citizens alone.

But after several major traffickers died or went to prison, younger gunmen stopped playing by the old rules. In the late 1990s and 2000, Sinaloa had its first rash of kidnappings of legitimate merchants and businessmen.

Phoenix first saw large numbers of ransom kidnappings reported during these years as well.

A fast-growing city, Phoenix had long been a destination for Mexican immigrants, and for Sinaloans in particular. Today, Phoenix detectives say, only the rare kidnapper is not from Sinaloa. They often come from the same Sinaloan towns: Los Mochis, Leyva, Guasave.

Like construction or restaurant work, kidnapping in Phoenix relies on cheap Mexican laborers. The grunt work, like guarding the victim, is often done by young, unemployed illegal immigrants, desperate for work, who sign on for $50 to $200 a day, Garcia said.

Certain Phoenix bars -- Señor Lucky's, Bronco Bar and El Gran Mercado -- are known as places where kidnappers recruit, much the way builders go to Home Depot to hire day laborers, police say.

The day Perez-Torres was kidnapped, police raided a south Phoenix tire shop and found shotguns, ammunition and ballistic vests.

The business belonged to a man they suspected of setting up a kidnapping and home-invasion empire. He recruited illegal immigrants, provided them with criminal work and a place to live at the shop, then would order them around like a small-town baron, police said. Occasionally he'd hit them and interrogate them.

Kidnapping in Phoenix attracts immigrants whose American dream is to make it big in the underworld. In Mexico, cartels limit their options. But cartel control is weak in Phoenix. Many resort to kidnapping because "for once, they're the guys with the gun, the ones with the power," Salgado said. "They are in control. In Mexico they're not in control."

It was 7 p.m. Friday. After several phone calls, the kidnappers ordered money to be taken to an intersection in west Phoenix.

Perez-Torres' family had come in that afternoon with $12,000, which they said was from selling cars.

So detectives lied.

"We told the suspect we do have the 150K," said Sgt. Phil Roberts, a unit supervisor. "We're going to tell him whatever he wants."

The case now passed to Salgado, who went undercover, accompanying Andres -- still posing as Perez-Torres' brother -- into west Phoenix.

Nine years ago, Salgado was the first Phoenix detective to investigate the smuggler kidnappings. He comforted the victim's family, negotiated, oversaw rescues. He learned to listen for compassion or cold-bloodedness.

For about a year, Salgado worked alone. The caseload grew incessantly. Today, probably no detective in America has worked more ransom kidnapping cases.

During an investigation, Salgado barely sleeps. When it's over, he crashes hard. Twice, dentists prescribed mouth guards to keep him from grinding his teeth. He chewed through each in a week.

To hear Salgado describe it, each kidnapping is like a jazz improvisation, with every move creating two or three new possibilities, which detectives must anticipate, depending on the suspect's tone of voice and what's come before.

"None are alike, and they're all the same," Salgado said. "You don't know what to expect, but you know what to expect."

With that in mind, Salgado set out that night in a pickup truck with Andres.

Few west Phoenix residents perceived the ballet of two unwitting suspects and dozens of officers that silently swept back and forth through their neighborhood.

Kidnappers called to tell Salgado and Andres to drive around with their windows down. They ordered them to stop at a gas station, then to get out and raise their shirts. Other officers watched from the shadows, giving them a wide berth.

For more than an hour kidnappers ordered Salgado and Andres through maneuvers, looking for signs of cops, apparently unaware of the undercover officers silently cruising the area looking for the kidnappers.

Then things happened fast. Officers were following a suspicious bronze Chevy truck, when the driver bolted down a residential street and into a driveway. Two men jumped out and ran. One dropped a gun.

Officers grabbed them after a short chase and before they could call their accomplices. If anything happened to Perez-Torres, officers said, they'd be charged with murder. The two men caved. He was being held, they said, in a house in Mesa, half an hour away.

A caravan of cops now sped for Mesa. They got there as three men were pushing Perez-Torres into a brown truck; a black Chrysler idled nearby. Both sped off but didn't get far. Police arrested three more men.

By 9:30, Juan Perez-Torres was safe, and five of his alleged kidnappers were about to be questioned.

They told detectives a bleak border tale.

Max Portillo, 24, said he'd been having trouble with a drug smuggler in Nogales, Mexico, known as "El Chueco" -- Twisted. El Chueco said Perez-Torres owed him for a load of marijuana, and he wanted someone to kidnap him.

Portillo said he recruited the others at bars. Another suspect, Abel Mosqueda, said he met Portillo at El Gran Mercado. Mosqueda told detectives he was out of work and needed money. Among the five of them, they had one gun: a black .45. They said they'd never kidnapped before.

How much of it was true? "That voice," Gina Garcia said, "I'm sure he's done this before from the way he conducted the negotiation."

But detectives hadn't time for the case's murky motives. They had the kidnappers' confessions and other evidence. Prosecutors had been getting plea-bargains of 12 years in prison for less. In a few months, they'd have trouble remembering the case.

Detectives now check victims for warrants and have dogs sniff ransom money for drugs, under the theory that today's victims are tomorrow's suspects. They've seized property valued at close to $1 million.

Phoenix police say they have never lost a victim during a rescue attempt. But detectives wondered how long their record would hold, and how long they could stave off the violence that has left more than 8,000 people dead in Mexico in the last two years.

"The way I understand it, the vice president of the Bank of Mexico has to go to work with armed escorts," Sgt. Roberts said. "The vice president of Wells Fargo in Phoenix does not. We're trying to prevent that from happening. If the United States as a whole doesn't do something about this, it's possible it could go that way."

About 4 a.m. Saturday, the family of Juan Francisco Perez-Torres huddled in the police lobby, waiting to drive him home. He denied smuggling drugs. Fixing and selling used cars was how he made his money, he said. No detective believed him.

Six hours later, Garcia finally went home. She hadn't slept in more than a day. Nonetheless, she had passed up a chance to move up to sergeant.

"It's good to save people, and it's good to put people away," she said.

The job was in Salgado's blood as well, and he couldn't quit it.

"The thing about kidnapping is," he said, "it's the only crime that's occurring as it's being investigated."

This one was now done.

AZMEX TEXMEX AMMO 7-2-09

2011-05-15T19:44:00.001-07:00

note it really texmex, but a look at what's happening, and it in english.

Also relevant to new legislation here.

thx

Man faces 10 years in ammunition smuggling case

The Associated Press

Posted: 02/07/2009 09:18:56 AM MST

LAREDO, Texas—A men's club manager accused of trying to smuggle ammunition into Mexico inside a hidden vehicle compartment has pleaded guilty to a federal charge.

Raul Alvarez, 29, faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced in April. On Friday, Alvarez entered a guilty plea to attempting to smuggle ammunition from the United States into Mexico, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

He was arrested in December at an international bridge in Laredo, while traveling to Mexico. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials doing a random inspection of his vehicle discovered 282 rounds of ammunition, three pistol magazines and eight assault rifle magazines. The ammunition was stored in a secret compartment built into the Ford Expedition's passenger side rear quarter panel, federal prosecutors said.

U.S. and Mexican authorities are working to stop the flow of U.S. guns and ammunition that end up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels, officials said.

Alvarez's attorney, David Almaraz, questioned whether the ammunition smuggling statute his client was charged under applied. Almaraz told the Laredo Morning Times it was not a case he could take to trial.

"We're talking about bullets you can buy over the counter ... bullets are bullets; it's all about what you're going to do with them," he said.

AZMEX ARMS 7-2-09

2011-05-15T19:43:00.001-07:00

Note: know it's in spanish, but this the kind of reporting needed on this side of border

all that missing is serial numbers of weapons. From El Fronterizo, Cd. Juárez, Chih., México

thx

06 de Febrero del 2009

DECOMISAN MILITARES DROGA ARMAMENTO Y VEHÍCULOS

Por: Andrés Rodríguez

Según informó el Departamento de Comunicación de la Operación Conjunta Chihuahua, el aseguramiento se logró gracias a una denuncia ciudadana que los alertó sobre la presencia de varias personas armadas y presumiblemente en posesión de droga.

Según narraron las autoridades, al encontrarse personal militar perteneciente al 26/o. Batallón de Infantería realizando un patrullaje de vigilancia sobre la calle Ignacio Dávila de la colonia Los Portales, fueron abordados por un ciudadano que les informó que unas cuantas cuadras más adelante sobre esa misma calle se encontraban un grupo de personas en vehículos estacionados a la altura de la casa marcada con el número 2529.çç

Estas personas, según los testigos, estaban armadas, por lo que el personal militar acudió de inmediato al citado lugar, donde localizaron cuatro vehículos con las características señaladas, mismos que al parecer se encontraban abandonados, por lo que se procedió a revisarlos, encontrando lo siguiente:

Droga

Un paquete rectangular confeccionado con cinta de color canela con un peso de 400 Grs. de un vegetal de color verde y seco con las características propias de la mariguana.

Una bolsa con semilla de un vegetal de color verde y seco con las características propias de la mariguana, con un peso de 9.300 kgs.

7,904 dosis de piedra con un peso de 1.152 kgs.

2,506 dosis de cocaína con un peso de 1.059. kgs.

Armamento

Una pistola marca Glock, Mod. 30, Cal. 45 mm.

Una pistola marca Pietro Berretta Mod. 92F, Cal. 9 mm.

Una subametralladora marca Lugger Mod. TEC-DS9

Un cargador para subametralladora con capacidad para 30 cartuchos.

Un cargador para pistola Cal. 9 mm.

7 cargadores para pistola de diversos calibres

395 cartuchos Cal. .223

88 cartuchos Cal. 45

207 cartuchos Cal. 7.62 x 39 mm.

151 cartuchos Cal. 9 mm.

47 cartuchos Cal. .40

28 cartuchos Cal. 357 Mágnum

39 cartuchos Cal. 357 Sig.

1 cartucho Cal. .32

2 cartuchos Cal. 38 Súper

3 cartuchos Cal. 38 Especial

Vehículos

Una camioneta color vino, marca Nissan Frontier modelo 2007, con placas 94F-XD6 del estado de Texas.

Una camioneta de color blanco marca Nissan Pathfinder, modelo 2008, con placas OB5-WGH del estado de Texas.

Una camioneta de color gris, marca Chevrolet Tahoe, modelo 2007, sin placas.

Un vehículo azul marca Nissan Altima, modelo 2007, con placas KDS-40 del estado de Nuevo México.

Material

Cuatro chalecos antibalas

Dos cuadros de madera con la imagen de Malverde

8 cargadores para celular

1 teléfono celular marca Motorola

2 radios Nextel, marca Motorola

1 cargador y eliminador de corriente

3 baterías para radio

1 binoculares

1 funda para revólver

1 lámpara recargable

1 báscula gramera

De la cantidad de droga asegurada (cocaína y piedra) según las autoridades, se hubieran obtenido un total de 10,316 dosis con un costo $ 170.69 cada una y un valor total en el mercado negro de 1 millón 760 mil 838 pesos.

Por lo que respecta a la mariguana, se hubiera obtenido un total de 4,850 dosis, con un costo 50 pesos cada una y un valor total en el mercado negro de 242 mil 500 pesos.

Tanto la droga como las armas, los cartuchos, los vehículos, el equipo de comunicación y los chalecos fueron puestos a disposición del Ministerio Público Federal para su investigación y consignación.

AZMEX I3 6-2-09

2011-05-15T19:41:00.001-07:00

This old one don't know if you seen it before

gals caught in fake Budweiser delivery van

November 25th, 2008 @ 3:00pm

by KTAR Newsroom

Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized a smuggling vehicle made to look like a Budweiser delivery van near Three Points, Ariz., Monday.

The van was carrying 13 illegal immigrants.

Agents fist saw the vehicle at around 9 a.m., traveling north from the border. Believing the van to be suspiciously out of place, officers pulled the driver over and discovered the people inside.

Eight of the immigrants were Chinese nationals. The other five were from Mexico.

The driver will be prosecuted on smuggling charges. All occupants of the van are being held at the Tucson Border Patrol station.

AZMEX DHS 6-2-09

2011-05-15T19:40:00.001-07:00

HOMELAND SECURITY'S FAVORITE JUDGE

THE BORDER REPORT

A U.S. magistrate in Tucson has ruled that federal agents can lie under oath and it won't be viewed by her court as an act of bad faith.

And if they manage to forget details relevant to a case, like, say, discovering pieces of evidence that they lose first, well, that's okay too.

I'll give you Judge Jennifer Guerin's words pulled from her review of a defendant's motion to dismiss and then the back story on the drug trafficking case.

"Whether Agent Gonzalez was untruthful or absent-minded in his response to questioning at the October hearing about the whereabouts of the bolt seal is not determinative of the issue of bad faith."

This is what happened:

Last June, a truck driver, Osmin Alas, was pulled over at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in Southern Arizona. The truck was locked up with a bolt seal which is basically a lock with an identifying number for federal agents to check loads with. The basic idea is that the driver is simply a transporter and the bolt seal ensures that he doesn't have access to the cargo. The only ones who do have access are whoever loaded the truck, federal agents who need to open the truck and whoever's on the delivery end waiting for the shipment.

The Feds like them because it keeps things orderly, drivers like them because it's supposed to absolve them of whatever it is they're hauling. Win-win, right?

Wrong.

A drug sniffing dog found 808 keys of weed in the trailer of the truck, some 1,700 pounds, about $1.2 million at Tucson schwag prices.

Four agents, Gonzalez, Blaine, Nunley, and Haymore, couldn't figure out how to open the bolt seal so they cut it off, letting it fall to the ground. Alas was arrested, the bolt seal stayed in the dirt.

The agents told the judge they didn't think the bolt seal was evidence or that it needed to be preserved.

And that's about as much as everybody can agree on in this debacle.

At an October hearing, Agent Gonzalez testified that he saw some ID numbers on the bolt seal but that he didn't know much about bolt seals. Earlier, he had testified that he didn't remember what had happened with the bolt seal.

Two months later, Dec. 2, Gonzalez remembered what he did with the thing.

The morning after the bust:

"He picked up the bolt seal and put it in his pocket, intending to keep it as a souvenir of the drug bust. He took the bolt seal home and kept it in his night-stand drawer. Agent Gonzalez testified that he forgot he had picked the bolt seal up until Nov. 11 when government counsel contacted him … "

When the Feds called, Agent Gonzalez remembered what he had done with the thing and brought it to court.

Then another problem came up.

The shipping documents said the bolt seal used was ID number SS3394284. The bolt seal Gonzalez brought in had ID number SS3394845.

You can guess what happened next: the Feds say, basically, that Alas tried to use a fake bolt seal to get inside the trailer and stash the weed. The defense argued that the agents should have kept better track of key pieces of evidence like the bolt seal, instead of tossing them on the ground and picking up them as souvenirs.

The judge ruled that unless the agents had purposefully hid evidence, there was nothing suspect in the entire matter.

"Mere negligent destruction of evidence does not constitute an act of bad faith," she wrote in her decision.

Awesome.

It gets a little better because ineptitude is apparently not something that judges worry about with federal agents.

"Prior to Defendant's June 10, 2008 arrest, none of the agents had ever been involved in the removal of a bolt seal from a trailer during a search. Although each of the agents was aware of the procedure for preserving evidence, none of the agents had been instructed to preserve bolts, locks or seals," the judge wrote.

And that gets us back to the somewhat creepy issue at hand. The agent had never dealt with a bolt seal before, cut it off, forgot about it, then took it home the next day as a souvenir and forgot about it again for four months.

Then it turned out, he brought the wrong one to court. How many of these things are they cutting off anyway? I thought the idea was to leave them on.

All which gets us back to Geurin's original point: "Whether Agent Gonzalez was untruthful or absent-minded in his response to questioning at the October hearing about the whereabouts of the bolt seal is not determinative of the issue of bad faith. Agent Gonzalez' subsequent production of what he believed to be the bolt seal demonstrates that he did not intend to deprive the Defendant of potentially exculpatory evidence," she wrote.

The message is clear. In Geurin's courtroom badly-trained agents can forget details, lie about them under oath, and lose evidence; there's no problem here.

Stay out of Tucson if you want to run dope; this judge will do anything she can to nail you otherwise.

AZMEX 6-2-09

2011-05-15T19:37:00.001-07:00

Mexican Drug Cartels Armed to the Hilt, Threatening National Security

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

By Matt Sanchez

In November, along the border with Texas, Mexican authorities arrested drug cartel leader Jaime "el Hummer" Gonzalez Duran — one of the founders of "Los Zetas," a paramilitary organization of former Mexican soldiers who decided there was more money to be made in selling drugs than in serving in the Mexican military.

Click here for photos.

As El Hummer was being transported to the airport in an armed vehicle, his fellow cartel members launched a brazen attack against the federales.

They were armed to the teeth. Their arsenal ranged from semi-automatic rifles to rocket-propelled grenades. When the smoke finally cleared and the government had prevailed, Mexican federal agents captured 540 assault rifles, more than 500,000 rounds of ammunition, 150 grenades, 14 cartridges of dynamite, 98 fragmentation grenades, 67 bulletproof vests, seven Barrett .50-caliber sniper rifles and a Light Anti Tank (LAW) rocket.

Click here to see video of the Mexican military's fight with the drug cartels.

This is modern Mexico, where the leaders of the powerful drug cartels are armed to the teeth with sophisticated weapons, many of which are smuggled over the border from the United States. It is with this array of superior weapons that drug cartels are threatening the very stability of their own country. And it's why America's outgoing CIA Director, Michael Hayden, says violence in Mexico will pose the second greatest threat to U.S. security next year, right after Al Qaeda.

"Americans are understandably focused on the flow of drugs and migrants into the U.S. from Mexico," says Andreas Peter, author of "Border Games: Policing the U.S.-Mexico Divide."

"But too often glossed over in the border security debate is the flow of weapons across the border into Mexico," he told Foxnews.com in a statement via the Internet.

The cartels are obtaining arms from America by using "straw man" buyers, who legally purchase weapons at gun shops and gun shows in the U.S. The weapons cross into Mexico, where border security is much weaker heading south of the border than it is going north.

Authorities don't know how many firearms are sneaked across the border, but the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) says more than 7,700 guns sold in America were traced to Mexico last year, up from 3,300 the year before and about 2,100 in 2006. Mexican authorities say 90 percent of smuggled weapons come from the United States.

In Northern Mexico, high-powered American weapons have enabled drug cartels to control whole territories. There is the Colt AR-15, the civilian version of the military M-16. And there is the "cuernos de chivo" — Spanish for goat horns . . . the 30-shot curved banana clip of the AK-47.

The AK-47, long the symbol of guerrilla revolution, is not the most accurate or technical assault rifle, but it gets the job done. It is the workhorse of drug cartels, and ammunition can come from a variety of world sources, including the United States.

And then there are the sniper rifles.

"The .50-caliber was interesting because we haven't seen that type of arm used in Mexico yet," said Scott Stewart, a former U.S. Army intelligence officer and an analyst for Stratfor, a geopolitical security firm. The ..50-caliber long-range sniper rifle is incredibly accurate and dangerous; a trained operator could kill a human being with a round from well over a mile away.

For criminal cartels like Los Zetas, greater firepower means greater influence in not only the drug trade; it has enabled them to infiltrate and threaten the entire power structure of Mexico. In December, the Mexican attorney general announced the arrest of Maj. Arturo Gonzalez Rodriguez for allegedly assisting Mexican drug trafficking organizations — allegedly for $100,000 a month.

The connection between the drug cartels and the Mexican army has given cartel leaders access to military grade weapons like the high powered Five-Seven semi-automatic pistols.

A favorite with the cartels, the Five-Seven has the advantage of being light: under 2 pounds, with a 20-round clip filled with bullets the cartels call "matapolicias' — "cop killers."

"The 5.7 x 28, armor piercing (AP) rounds are not available for sale to the general public and are probably coming from the Mexican military," said Stewart who has analyzed U.S.-Mexican border security issues for half a decade.

The drug-related murder rate in Mexico doubled in 2008 from just one year before, and as the violence escalates, the power of the drug cartels has destabilized Mexican authority to the point of threatening national security.

Last week Gen. มngeles Dahuajare announced that more than 17,000 soldiers had deserted in 2008.

"The Mexican Army is becoming a revolving door for the enforcement arm of the drug cartels; they simply pay better," Stewart said.

"If they don't get the weapons from the U.S., they'll get it from somewhere else: Brazil, Guatemala, Argentina or even former satellite state 'gray markets,'" he said.

Despite the efforts of his comrades in crime, El Hummer wound up in jail — and Mexican authorities paraded him before the media to reassure the public that they are still in control.

But that was largely for show. As long as weapons flow into Mexico, the drug cartels will be able to develop an arsenal. "Control" will be unstable, at best.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,487911,00.html

Note: these latest "hits" were in rural SW Chihuahua state. Notable mainly for the 90 rounds used in one of them.

thx

CUAUHTÉMOC

/El Diario (Chih, Chih.)

Semana sangrienta en la región; dos ejecutados mas, ahora en La Junta

De la Redacción

Viernes, 06 de Febrero de 2009

Aumenta la cuenta de ejecutados en la región en esta sangrienta semana.

Ayer en La Junta, Guerrero, fueron ejecutados 2 hombres en la colonia Mirador, aparentemente cerca del domicilio de uno de ellos.

Los hechos ocurrieron alrededor de la 1:00 de la tarde en la intersección de las calles Felipe Ángeles y Jiménez. Todo hace suponer que el copiloto al bajar de una camioneta ram colo verde oscuro, otro vehículo se les acercó y les comenzó a disparar, dejando al copiloto tirado sobre la calle cercado e iniciando una persecución contra el conductor de la unidad que intentaba escapar.

metros adelante, en el cruce de las calles Felipe Ángeles e Industrias, el chofer quedó muerto dentro de la camioneta tras ser alcanzado por las balas.

Los hoy occisos viajaban a bordo de un vehículo pick up, Dodge, Ram, 1500, color verde, cabina y media 4 x 4, mismo que presentaba múltiples impactos de proyectil de arma de fuego y a bordo del cual fue localizado el cuerpo de uno de los fallecidos, hasta el momento no identificado plenamente.

El protocolo de información enviado por al Subporcuraduría de Justicia Zona Occidente establece que el copiloto fue identificado como José Luis Delgado Veleta; del segundo, versiones policiacas comentaron se le conocía como "el memo".

Personal especializado en la escena del crimen, embaló recogió mas de 90 casquillos percutidos calibre 7.62 x 39 y .223, que se localizaron a lo largo de la calle Felipe Ángeles, desde donde se encontró el primer cuerpo sobre la calle hasta donde se localizó el vehículo con el segundo cuerpo.

La Policía Ministerial Investigadora inició con la indagatoria en torno a los hechos sucedidos alrededor de la 1:00 p.m. del día; mientras tanto, personal de Servicios Periciales se hizo cargo de realizar los análisis correspondientes a la evidencia localizada, así como de la necropsia de ambos cuerpos.

En el lugar, que fue ampliamente resguardado por agentes ministeriales y militares, los Agentes del Ministerio Público levantaron numerosos casquillos que se encontraban regados en los mas de 100 metros que separan a las calles Jiménez e Industrias, sobre la calle Felipe Angeles.

Tan solo en el vidrio frontal de la camioneta, se apreciaban mas de 15 disparos, además de otra cantidad de tiros sobre las puertas de la camioneta.

Estas recientes ejecuciones, se unen al tiroteo ocurrido en domingo en el carril de caballos en El Terrero, con saldo oficial de 3 muertos; el "levantón" de 2 personas en la plaza de El Molino el pasado miércoles y donde se encotraron casquillos de arma de fuego y rastros de sangre. Ayer, la ejecución de otras 2 personas en La Junta, Guerrero.

Sin embargo, las cifras extraoficiales aseguran que hubo decenas de muertos en las carreras de El Terrero, que esa misma noche ocurrió otro enfrentamiento en El Molino con saldo de 5 muertos, versiones sin confirmar por las autoridades policiacas.

AZMEX DEFENSE CASE 2-2-09

2011-05-15T19:35:00.001-07:00

Cochise County rancher tried on civil rights claims

By Brady McCombs

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.02.2009

A civil rights trial against Cochise County rancher Roger Barnett began today in federal court in Tucson.

The latest suit against the controversial rancher stems from a 2004 incident in a wash near Douglas when Barnett approached a group of illegal immigrants with a gun and a large dog.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs — five women and 11 men who were trying to cross into the U.S. illegally — say that Barnett held the group captive at gunpoint, threatening that his dog would attack and that he would shoot anyone that tried to escape, a press release from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund said.

They say Barnett also kicked one of the members of the group. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund is representing the 16 people.

The federal lawsuit charges Barnett, his wife, Barbara Barnett; and his brother, Donald Barnett; with conspiring to violate the plaintiffs' civil rights, the release said.

In March 2008, U.S. District Court Judge John Roll rejected Barnett's efforts to have the charges thrown out. Roll ruled that there was sufficient evidence of a conspiracy - that the conspiracy denied the plaintiffs their right to interstate travel and the actions of the Barnetts were motivated by race - to allow the matter to be presented to a jury.

Barnett's attorney, David Hardy, had argued that illegal immigrants didn't have the same rights of interstate travel.

That setback came on the heels of another judgement against Barnett in February 2008. At that time, the Arizona Court of Appeals refused to throw out a jury verdict of guilty from November 2006 — and a nearly $100,000 monetary award — against Barnett in another civil case where a jury concluded he falsely imprisoned members of a Douglas family.

Barnett has boasted of detaining thousands of border crossers on property he owns or leases near Douglas in the last decade and then turning them over to Border Patrol officials.

The trial is scheduled to go through Feb. 13, the press release from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. Contact reporter Brady McCombs at 573-4213 or bmccombs@azstarnet.com.

AZMEX ARMS 1-2-09

2011-05-15T19:34:00.001-07:00

Seize rifle and cartridges at the home in Nuevo Nogales

01 February, 2009 05:00 Enrique Gómez / EL DIARIO

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Nogales, Sonora

A 7.62 caliber rifle, two magazines and 41 rounds of ammunition were seized outside a home in Colonia Nuevo Nogales.

City officials received a report that someone fired shots into the air to the outside of the house marked with number 36-b of the New Street Zambia.

It was about 22:40 pm when the elements of the Municipal Police arrived at the scene, after a cursory review, they noticed that pulled to the side of a car that was parked outside the home, were 10 cartridge casings from gray Wolf brand 7.62 x 39 mm.

They also noticed a rifle black peacock color Norinco brand, with wooden handles black color without handles 7.62 x 39 mm, which was inserted a magazine with 30 shots and was stocked with 30 cartridges.

A few inches found another magazine with the same capacity, supplied with 11 cartridges, all of the Wolf brand.

Witnesses on the scene, said that inhabits the home of Jacob Vizcarra Amescua, allegedly detonated the weapon he had on several occasions but for fear of retaliation would not give more details.

The officers knocked on the door but nobody answered, so they moved the weapon and boots before the judge called on duty who gave to the authorities of Public Prosecutions of federal law and provided them with weapons and cartridges.

Decomisan rifle y cartuchos en casa del Nuevo Nogales

01 February, 2009 05:00 Enrique Gómez/EL DIARIO

Tamaño de la fuente:

Nogales, Sonora

Un fusil calibre 7.62, dos cargadores y 41 cartuchos útiles fueron asegurados a las afueras de un domicilio de la colonia Nuevo Nogales.

Autoridades municipales recibieron el reporte de que una persona realizaba disparos al aire a las afuera de la casa marcada con el número 36-b de la calle Nueva Zambia.

Fue cerca de las 22:40 horas cuando los elementos de la Policía Municipal arribaron al lugar, después de una revisión superficial, notaron que tirado a un lado de un automóvil que estaba estacionado frente al domicilio, se encontraban 10 cartuchos percutidos de color gris, marca Wolf calibre 7.62 x 39 mm.

También notaron un fusil color pavón negro de la marca Norinco, con empuñaduras de madera color negro sin cachas calibre 7.62 x 39 mm, que tenía insertado un cargador con capacidad para 30 tiros y se encontraba abastecido con 30 cartuchos mutiles.

A unos centímetros encontraron otro cargador con la misma capacidad, abastecido con 11 cartuchos, todos de la marca Wolf.

Testigos de la escena, manifestaron que en el domicilio habita el de nombre Jacobo Vizcarra Amescua y que presuntamente el había detonado el arma en varias ocasiones pero por miedo a represalias no quisieron dar mas datos.

Los agentes tocaron a la puerta pero nadie respondió, por lo que trasladaron el arma y los cargadores ante el Juez Calificador en turno quien dio parte a las autoridades del Ministerio Público del Fuero Federal y puso a su disposición las armas y los cartuchos.

AZMEX ARMS 30-1-09

2011-05-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Cash and weapons seized en route to Mexico

Published Friday, January 30, 2009 9:52 AM MST

While conducting outbound inspections yesterday at the Nogales ports of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted currency and weapons destined for Mexico.

Further scrutiny of the area in question revealed a non-factory compartment containing five sealed packages of money. The value of currency intercepted was more than $250,000.

Donald Anderson, Acting Port Director for Nogales stated, "We are ever vigilant in our efforts to uproot the criminal element coming in or out of this country. If you are going to attempt to break the law through the Nogales Port of Entry, we will find you."

Yesterday, CBP officers were conducting outbound inspections of vehicles at the Mariposa Port of Entry when they set their sights on a 1994 Chevrolet Blazer. The interview with the 32-year-old female resident of the United States driving the vehicle revealed inconsistencies in her story. As a result, the vehicle was selected for further inspection. While inspecting the Blazer, a CBP narcotics and currency K-9 was utilized and alerted to the rear of the vehicle.

Further scrutiny of the area in question revealed a non-factory compartment containing five sealed packages of money, four pistols and eight magazines for the weapons. The value of currency intercepted was more than $250,000. The driver of the vehicle was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation. The vehicle, money, weapons and magazines were seized.

6 with weapons, arrest and marijuana

The seizure of 660 kilograms of marijuana, rifles, pistols, cartridges, car, and the arrest of six people, carried out by staff of the Mexican Army Mascarene and Santa Cruz.

The Military Zone 45 based in the border reported that it took place in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in three separate actions.

At the ranch's Chapel which is located near the Mascarene, the military spotted Esquer Sergio Corrales, Alberto Francisco Valdivia Pérez, Héctor Manuel Rodríguez Porchas Bernardo Gutiérrez Soto.

These people were seized a red GMC pickup truck, two 22-caliber rifles, a carbine 30-30, and a 22-caliber revolver and ammunition that had to guard 458 kilograms of marijuana.

In other action in personal Mascarene Third Motorized Cavalry Regiment, detained Francisco Valenzuela Ruiz, 71, who guarded ten packages containing 102 kilos of marijuana.

We also seized a 22 caliber rifle, and ten rounds, while in Santa Cruz seized fourteen packages hundred kilograms of marijuana.

The drug and detainees were turned over to the Attorney General of the Republic, which ratified the Mexican military struggle against drug trafficking.

http://www.nuevodia.com.mx/volcano/largeImage227157.gif

Gulf Cartel, the most beaten

January 30, 2009 05:00 DAILY

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Most blows to drug trafficking are the Gulf Cartel

The Gulf cartel hit men and his group "Los Zetas" are among the best armed drug gangs operating in Mexico, in the midst of a gritty war that has left thousands dead, said the attorney general.

A report by the Attorney General's Office (PGR) on arms trafficking in Mexico explained that the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas, whose seat is the northern state of Tamaulipas, but which operate in at least seven other states are organizations with greater criminal activity and violent. "

"These organizations have been secured the highest number of firearms and special features for its versatility, potential adverse effects, reach, penetration and volume of fire," prosecutors said in the report.

Among the weapons seized from the gang of drug traffickers are able to transfer some powerful armor and fragmentation grenades. In one of the pistols known as "cop killer."

The war between cartels for control of routes into the United States and against the security forces last year left more than 5,700 deaths in the country, more than double that of 2007. Some of them appeared beheaded or dissolved chemicals in barrels.

In September last year in the western city of Morelia, unidentified individuals threw grenades into a crowd that participated in the celebrations of Independence Day.

The attack killed eight people. Three men were arrested as alleged perpetrators of the facts, attributed to "the Zetas."

The cartel of the Arellano Felix brothers, who operate in the city of Tijuana, which borders the United States is in second place in the number of weapons with special features that have been seized, some rifles and rocket launchers.

The third site is the Pacific cartel or Sinaloa, that have been seized handguns and assault rifles of conventional features, exceptionally, grenade launchers and grenades.

The Sinaloa cartel led by Joaquin is the "Chapo" Guzman, Mexico's most wanted drug lord.

Aprehenden a 6 con armas y marihuana

El aseguramiento de 660 kilogramos de marihuana, rifles, pistolas, cartuchos, un vehículo, así como la detención de seis personas, llevó a cabo personal del Ejército Mexicano en Mascareñas y en Santa Cruz.

La 45 Zona Militar con sede en esta frontera dio a conocer que esto se llevó a cabo en la lucha permanente contra el narcotráfico en tres acciones distintas.

En el rancho La Capilla que se ubica cerca de Mascareñas, los militares detectaron a Sergio Corrales Esquer, Alberto Francisco Valdivia Pérez, Héctor Manuel Porchas Gutiérrez y Bernardo Rodríguez Soto.

A estas personas se les decomisó un pick up GMC color rojo, dos rifles calibre 22, una carabina 30-30, y un revólver calibre 22, así como cartuchos que tenían para custodiar 458 kilogramos de marihuana.

En la otra acción en Mascareñas personal del Tercer Regimiento de Caballería Motorizado, detuvieron a Francisco Valenzuela Ruiz, de 71 años, quien custodiaba diez paquetes que contenían 102 kilos de marihuana.

También le decomisaron un rifle calibre 22, así como diez cartuchos, mientras que en Santa Cruz decomisaron catorce paquetes cien kilogramos de marihuana.

La droga y detenidos fueron puestos a disposición de la Procuraduría General de la República, con lo que ratifica el Ejército Mexicano su lucha frontal contra el narcotráfico.

http://www.nuevodia.com.mx/volcano/largeImage227157.gif

Cártel del Golfo, el más golpeado

30 January, 2009 05:00 EL DIARIO

Tamaño de la fuente:

La mayoría de los golpes al narcotráfico son al Cártel del Golfo

El cártel del Golfo y su grupo de sicarios "Los Zetas" son los mejores armados entre las bandas de narcotraficantes que operan en México, en medio de una descarnada guerra que ha dejado miles de muertos, dijo la fiscalía general.

Un informe de la Procuraduría General de la República (PGR) sobre el tráfico de armas en México detalló que el cártel del Golfo y "Los Zetas", cuya sede es el norteño estado de Tamaulipas pero que operan en al menos otros siete estados, son las organizaciones con mayor "activismo delictivo y violento".

"A estas organizaciones se les ha asegurado el mayor número de armas de fuego y de características especiales por su versatilidad, potencialidad lesiva, alcance, penetración y volumen de fuego", dijo la fiscalía en el informe.

Entre las armas decomisadas a esta banda de narcotraficantes se encuentran algunas capaces de traspasar poderosos blindajes y granadas de fragmentación. A una de las pistolas se le conoce como "mata policías".

La guerra entre los cárteles por el dominio de la rutas hacia Estados Unidos y contra las fuerzas de seguridad dejó el año pasado más de 5,700 muertos en el país, más del doble que los del 2007. Algunas de ellos aparecieron decapitados o disueltos en sustancias químicas dentro de barriles.

En septiembre del año pasado en la occidental ciudad de Morelia, desconocidos arrojaron granadas contra una multitud que participaba de los festejos del día de la independencia.

En el ataque murieron ocho personas. Tres hombres fueron detenidos como supuestos autores materiales del hecho, atribuido a "los Zetas".

El cártel de los hermanos Arellano Félix, que opera en la ciudad de Tijuana, fronteriza con Estados Unidos, se encuentra en segundo lugar en cuanto al número de armas con características especiales que se les ha decomisado, algunas de ellas fusiles y lanzacohetes.

En el tercer sitio se encuentra el cártel del Pacífico o de Sinaloa, al que se le han decomisado armas cortas y fusiles de asalto de características convencionales y, excepcionalmente, lanzagranadas y granadas.

El cártel de Sinaloa es comandado por Joaquín el "Chapo" Guzmán, el capo más buscado de México.

AZMEX ARMS 27-1-09

2011-05-15T19:26:00.001-07:00

Note: these pieces coming just about every day now, sometimes in U.S. media also

This particular one in local AZ media also.

Story line, arms from AZ arming drug cartels.

Claims 95% of arms coming from here.

Never, of course, any mention of the thousands of deserters from Mex military

and the arms missing with them.

thx

Internacional

Provienen de EU armas de carteles mexicano

PHOENIX, Arizona(AP)

Otros cuatro agentes fueron heridos en un tiroteo en el que se confiscaron cargamentos de armas, incluido un rifle AK-47 que según las autoridades fue comprado en un negocio de armas de Phoenix y llevado de contrabando a México.

La presencia del rifle en México refleja dos realidades de la guerra contra el narcotráfico: Casi todas las armas que emplean los carteles ingresan de contrabando desde Estados Unidos y ese tráfico es facilitado por comerciantes de armas corruptos.

"Hay una guerra", declaró Bill Newell, agente especial a cargo de las sucursales de la Oficina de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF, según sus siglas en inglés) de Arizona y Nuevo México. "Hay una guerra entre los carteles de la droga. Y hay otra guerra entre el gobierno y los carteles. Las armas empleadas (por los carteles) en esta guerra son adquiridas ilegalmente aquí en Estados Unidos".

Las autoridades no saben cuántas armas son llevadas de contrabando a México, pero la ATF dice que el año pasado se comprobó que más de 7 mil armas vendidas en Estados Unidos fueron a parar a ese país.

El año previo se hallaron 3 mil 300 y en el 2006 tan solo 2 mil 100. El aumento en esa estadística es atribuido no solo a un incremento en el volumen de armas contrabandeadas sino al hecho de que las autoridades mexicanas han desarrollado métodos más eficaces de dar con esas armas.

Funcionarios mexicanos y estadounidenses calculan que el 95% de las armas de los carteles proceden de Estados Unidos. Las restantes son robadas a agentes mexicanos abatidos. Los carteles reclutan gente que compra armas en su nombre en Estados Unidos y luego arreglan formas de llevarlas a México de contrabando.

El servicio de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza (APF), cuyos inspectores son los encargados de vigilar los puertos de la frontera, desistieron de revelar con qué frecuencia inspeccionan los vehículos que salen del país, pero admiten que no todos son revisados.

Se considera que es más importante inspeccionar los autos que ingresan al país, porque pueden traer armas, terroristas y otros elementos peligrosos, además de indocumentados.

En general se inspecciona un vehículo que sale del país si han recibido alguna información de que puede haber algo irregular.

"No tenemos personal suficiente como para revisar todo el tráfico que sale", dijo el portavoz de la APF Jason Ciliberti.

Las autoridades dicen que los pocos comerciantes que venden armas a contrabandistas a sabiendas pueden causar grandes daños. Destacan el caso del comerciante de Arizona acusado de vender un AK-47 recuperado el 27 de mayo en un tiroteo en Cualicán con elementos del Cartel de Sinaloa.

Nota Publicada: 27/01/2009 17:54

AZMEX ARMS 26-1-09

2011-05-15T19:24:00.001-07:00

Note: the push to stop arms flowing south continues,

is a growing problem for us.

Story describes urging action from Obama and Napolitano .

Asked last week if ILA

had someone covering this? Would strongly urge ILA getting a Spanish speaking

specialist on this issue before it blows up on us. Info in English is pretty deficient.

thx

Obama debe cerrar la frontera a tráfico de armas: Sarukhán

26 January, 2009 03:36:00

El Universal/EL DIARIO

Tamaño de la fuente:

México desearía ahora, afirmó Arturo Sarukhán, que Obama cierre el paso de las armas que van a grupos criminales en territorio mexicano, cuya violencia amenazaba a México con volverlo un "estado fallido".

Expresa el embajador de México en EU que el gobierno del presidente Felipe Calderón 'esperaría ver alguna acción' de Barack Obama en su primer año en cuanto a la reforma de inmigración

WASHINGTON, DC.

México ha tenido frustraciones con la administración previa del presidente George W. Bush y esperaba insistir de ''manera fundamental'' con el nuevo presidente Barack Obama en que Estados Unidos cumpla sus propias leyes y cierre el paso de armas ilegales por la frontera hacia el sur, dijo el lunes el embajador mexicano ante la Casa Blanca.

Arturo Sarukhán declaró también que el gobierno del presidente Felipe Calderón ''esperaría ver alguna acción'' de Obama en su primer año en cuanto a la reforma de inmigración, que daría legalidad a más de 8 millones de mexicanos que viven y trabajan en Estados Unidos, pero dijo que también era ''muy realista'' como para esperar mucho.

''Es un tema muy polarizante'', declaró en una mesa redonda con reporteros de The Associated Press.

''Las coaliciones que se habían articulado en torno a la reforma integral en 2006 y 2007 tendrán que reconstruirse y esto no ocurre de manera fácil, requiere de un (prolongado) trabajo político...''.

Dijo que México se ha decepcionado con el gobierno del presidente George W. Bush por el muro en la frontera, por su incapacidad para abrir el paso de camiones mexicanos a territorio estadounidense y su falta de visión para ''construir sinergias'' sobre las realidades de ''un México de abundante mano de obra y un Estados Unidos de abundante capital''.

México desearía ahora, de ''manera fundamental'', afirmó Sarukhán, que Obama cierre el paso de las armas que van a grupos criminales en territorio mexicano, cuya violencia según varios informes de la administración Bush amenazaba a México con volverlo un ''estado fallido''.

''Esa caracterización es absolutamente errónea'', dijo explicando que el gobierno mexicano tiene control de su territorio, de grupos militares irregulares, de su población y otros aspectos que precondicionan un estado fallido.

''México de ninguna manera cae dentro de esas características''.

Hizo notar más bien que ninguno de los informes de la era Bush mencionaba que la violencia en México estaba produciéndose ''dentro de un vacío'' generado por la falta de acción de Estados Unidos para cortar el tráfico de armas, los flujos de dinero y otros recursos y afectar así la capacidad de los sindicatos del crimen de combatir al estado mexicano.

Indicó que Calderón insistirá en que Obama dote de mayores recursos a agencias como TFA (el buró del tabaco y armas de fuego) e ICE (de aduanas e inmigración) para descubrir con trabajo de inteligencia en Estados Unidos quienes movilizan y reciben las armas.

''A menos que entendamos que éste es un reto bilateral, que es un tema que requiere políticas realistas, vamos a fracasar'', afirmó.

''Si México fracasa, Estados Unidos también fracasa''.

Dijo que México creía que la secretaria de Seguridad Interior de Obama, Janet Napolitano, ''entiende la dinámica'' de una frontera que sólo en el estado de Arizona, donde ha sido gobernadora, hay unas 12 mil armerías; y que no iba a argumentar contra la II Enmienda de la constitución estadounidense que señala como derecho tener y portar un arma de fuego.

''Nuestro argumento es asegurarnos que las leyes de Estados Unidos se cumplan en Estados Unidos'', explicó refiriéndose a que existían, por ejemplo, leyes que impiden vender o exportar armas prohibidas, como las de calibre .22 que circulan ilegalmente en México.

Bush cesó en sus funciones la semana pasada luego que en su gobierno se construyera unas 700 millas (mil 200 kilómetros) de la muralla o un tercio de la frontera, y sin vencer la resistencia de sindicatos y legisladores para permitir el cruce de camiones mexicanos, una provisión del Tratado de libre comercio para América del Norte (TLCAN o NAFTA) vigente hace 15 años.

Actualmente, la carga mexicana es transbordada a camiones estadounidenses en la frontera o viceversa. La operación cuesta un promedio de 8 dólares por camión.

Según Sarukhán, ''no parece mucho'', pero si se tiene en cuenta que unos 75 mil camiones cruzan a diario la frontera, la pérdida anual de las empresas es de unos 216 millones de dólares.

Dijo que México ''insistirá'' ante el gobierno de Obama en sus derechos del NAFTA, y les decía a aquellos que creían que no tiene interés en la seguridad fronteriza que ''están totalmente equivocados''.

AZMEX ENVIRO 25-1-09

2011-05-15T19:22:00.000-07:00

Crew finds not much to clean along river

By Derek Jordan
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 - 04:14:01 am MST

Print this story Email this story Digg del.icio.us

SIERRA VISTA — A team of volunteers and students who set out to collect trash along a stretch of the San Pedro River on Saturday morning were treated to a pleasant surprise: no garbage.

Nearly all of the team of more than 10 volunteers expected much worse and came prepared with large green body-bag sized bags for collecting trash.

"I definitely thought there would be more than this," said Ted Mouras, vice president of Friends of the San Pedro River.

As the team hiked the nearly five-mile trek along the river north of the San Pedro House, through muddy banks and forests of 7-foot-tall Johnson grass, most of their collection bags remained empty, save for the now empty water bottles they brought for themselves.

In his time working to help preserve the river, Mouras has seen a dramatic improvement in the amount of waste found in its waters.

"Five to eight years ago, it was really, really bad," he said. "There were areas along the river where you would find upwards of three to five-hundred water bottles caught in the current."

The majority of the garbage was the result of illegal immigrants following the river north. But, he said, recent efforts by the U.S. Border Patrol have stemmed the flow of border crossers entering the area.

A veritable sea of trash that was not uncommon just a few years ago may be what volunteers were expecting when they showed up Saturday morning.

"I thought it was going to be a lot worse than this," said Yuna Cho.

Along with fellow Buena High School junior Tae Kim, Cho attended the clean up as part of the Buena Key Club, a student club devoted to community service efforts.

"I thought there would be a lot more garbage, but it's pretty clean," Kim said.

Such was the lack of garbage along the hike, that whenever a volunteer managed to spy a discarded beer can or ragged T-shirt, a joyous shout altered the rest of the team.

Still, as unexpected as it was, no one could say they were disappointed by the cleanliness of the area.

"It's kind of like a 'no news is good news' situation," Mouras said.

Herald/Review reporter Derek Jordan can be reached at 515-4680 or by e-mail at derek.jordan@svherald.com.

AZMEX 25-1-09

2011-05-15T19:21:00.001-07:00

Note: Never a word about accompanying corruption on this side of border. This issue will continue to put our rights and interests in danger.

Agents charged with favoring drug cartel

Jan. 24, 2009 11:05 PM

Associated Press

MEXICO CITY - President Felipe Calderon's war on drug trafficking has led to his own doorstep, with the arrest of a dozen high-ranking officials with alleged ties to Mexico's most powerful drug gang, the Sinaloa Cartel.

The U.S. praises Calderon for rooting out corruption at the top. But critics say the arrests reveal nothing more than a timeworn government tactic of protecting one cartel and cracking down on others.

Operation Clean House comes just as the U.S. is giving Mexico its first installment of $400 million in equipment and technology to fight drugs. Most will go to a beefed-up federal police agency run by the same people whose top aides have been arrested as alleged Sinaloa spies.

"If there is anything worse than a corrupt and ill-equipped cop, it is a corrupt and well-equipped cop," said criminal justice expert Jorge Chabat, who studies the drug trade.

U.S. drug enforcement agents say they have no qualms about sending support to Mexico.

"We've been working with the Mexican government for decades at the DEA," said Garrison Courtney, spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration. "Obviously, we ensure that the individuals we work with are vetted."

Agents who conduct raids have long suspected Mexican government ties to Sinaloa, and rival drug gangs have advertised the alleged connection in banners hung from freeways. While raids against the rival Gulf cartel have netted suspects, those against Sinaloa almost always came up empty - or worse, said Agent Oscar Granados Salero of the Federal Investigative Agency, Mexico's equivalent of the FBI.

"Whenever we were trying to serve arrest warrants, they were already waiting for us, and a lot of colleagues lost their lives that way," Salero said.

The U.S. government estimates that the cartels smuggle $15 billion to $20 billion in drug money across the border each year.

Over the last five months, officials from the Mexican Attorney General's office, the federal police and even Mexico's representatives to Interpol have been detained on suspicion of acting as spies for Sinaloa or its one-time ally, the Beltran Leyva gang. An officer who served in Calderon's presidential guard was detained in December on suspicion of spying for Beltran Leyva.

Gerardo Garay, formerly the acting federal police chief, is accused of protecting the Beltran Leyva brothers and stealing money from a mansion during an October drug raid. Former drug czar Noe Ramirez, who was supposed to serve as point man in Calderon's anti-drug fight, is accused of taking $450,000 from Sinaloa.

Most of such tips are coming from a Mexican federal agent who infiltrated the U.S. embassy for the Beltran Leyva drug cartel. No such infiltrators have been found for the Gulf cartel, which controls most drug shipments in eastern Mexico and Central America. Sinaloa controls Pacific and western routes.

The DEA's Courtney agrees that there has been a greater crackdown on the Gulf Cartel in both the U.S. and Mexico, with more than 600 members of the gang arrested in September. But he declined to answer questions about Mexico favoring Sinaloa.

Calderon has long acknowledged corruption as an obstacle to his offensive, which involved sending more than 20,000 soldiers to battle drug trafficking throughout the country. The U.S. aid plan includes technology aimed at improving the way Mexico vets and supervises police.

The president vows to create a "new generation of police," consolidating agencies under Public Safety Secretary Genaro Garcia Luna, who heads all federal law enforcement.

That's what worries Granados Salero and other agents. So many of Garcia Luna's associates are under suspicion of Sinaloa ties that many wonder how he could not have known.

Calderon has publicly backed Garcia Luna, calling him "a man of great capacity."

"Obviously, if there was any doubt about his honesty, or any evidence that would call into question his honesty, he would certainly no longer be the secretary of public safety," the president said recently.

But some see the alleged Sinaloa ties with Garcia Luna's lieutenants as an old tactic used widely under the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, which ruled Mexico for 71 years with a tight fist. Officials in the past preferred to deal with one strong cartel rather than many warring gangs - what Calderon faces now. More than 5,300 people died in drug-related slayings in 2008.

"I fear that Secretary Garcia Luna ... is working on the idea that once one cartel consolidates itself as the winner, that is, Sinaloa, the violence is going to drop," said organized crime expert Edgardo Buscaglia, who tracks federal police arrests and has studied law enforcement agencies' written reports.

Garcia Luna has denied being involved in corruption. He has acknowledged that authorities in the past chose the path of managing cartels. But in an interview with the newspaper El Sol, he said that approach only strengthens the gangs in the long run.

Others say the high number of Sinaloa infiltrators is a reflection of the two cartels' very different styles.

The Gulf cartel is led by military-trained hit men so violent that they reportedly planned to attack even U.S. law enforcement agencies.

"They don't necessarily try to build networks of corruption. They prefer networks of intimidation," said Monte Alejandro Rubido, who leads Mexico's multi-agency National Security System.

Sinaloa, on the other hand, appears to use bribery and infiltration at least as much as its gunmen. Cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman bribed his way out of a Mexican prison in 2001, provoking suspicions the government was on his side.

Many Mexicans worry about giving so much money and power to a still corrupt force. Of more than 56,000 local and state police officers evaluated between January and October last year, fewer than half met the recommended qualifications, Calderon reported to Congress in early December. No similar numbers are available for federal police.

Agents like Granados Salero wonder who is in charge of police integrity.

"We agents find out about a lot of things," he said, "but who can we turn to?"

AZMEX ARMS 19-1-09

2011-05-15T19:19:00.001-07:00

Note: not a cartel level operation, but mex army seized the two weapons along with drugs, old winchester 94 and possible ruger standard model .22? With s/n.

were they stolen from AZ? TX?

thx

Army seizes operational arms and cartridges

Dulce Irene Ramos Baltiérrez

Monday, January 19, 2009

The Mexican army succeeded in securing the Saturday afternoon two guns, one charger, different caliber cartridges, 140 grams of cocaine, while after midnight the same day, secured a vehicle which had 13 inside wrappers apparently white powder cocaine, the vehicle was parked outside the nightclub, Club 8, so that those who were inside the center, were surprised by deciding to withdraw.

Based on an anonymous tip, the Mexican army came to the home located on 19th Avenue, number 307, the western sector where they arrested a man named Julio César López Ortiz, who said being from Surutato, Badirahuato municipality in the state of Sinaloa.

This person was charged with possessing firearms and drugs, the review found the home of two guns, one carbine, Winchester brand, size 30-30, with registration number 1554717, and a pistol caliber .22, Ruger brand, no model, registration number 1522358, plus a charger and 156 cartridges of different calibers, and 140 grams of white powder with the characteristics of cocaine.

Hours later the militia received another anonymous call which reported on the presence of a Nissan vehicle, type Tsuru, golden color, with registration FYV-44-94 State of Durango, which was dose inside white powder, similar to cocaine, adding that the vehicle was outside the night club called 8 Ball.

He immediately went to the scene, locating the vehicle and 13 plastic wrappers inside containing a white powder with characteristics of cocaine, proceeded to make revision to people who were in that place, failing to stop the owner or his driving the vehicle.

All insured was made available to the Federal Public Ministry, who will take over the investigations.

Asegura Ejército armas y cartuchos en operativo

Dulce Irene Ramos Baltiérrez

Lunes, 19 de Enero de 2009

El Ejército Mexicano logró asegurar el sábado por la tarde dos armas de fuego, un cargador, cartuchos de diferentes calibre, 140 gramos de cocaína; mientras que pasada la media noche del mismo día, aseguraron un vehículo en cual en su interior llevaba 13 envoltorios de polvo blanco al parecer cocaína, dicho vehículo se encontraba estacionado en el exterior del centro nocturno Club 8, por lo que quienes se encontraban dentro de centro, se sorprendieron tomando la decisión de retirarse.

Basándose en una denuncia anónima, el Ejército Mexicano acudió al domicilio ubicado en la avenida 19, número 307, del sector poniente en donde se detuvo a un hombre de nombre Julio César López Ortiz, el cual manifestó ser originario de Surutato, municipio de Badirahuato en el Estado de Sinaloa.

Dicha persona fue acusada de tener en su poder armas de fuego así como droga, al revisar el domicilio de encontraron, dos armas de fuego, una Carabina, marca Winchester, calibre 30-30, con número de matrícula 1554717; y una pistola, calibre .22, marca Ruger, sin modelo, matrícula 1522358, además un cargador y 156 cartuchos de diferentes calibres, así como 140 gramos de polvo blanco con las características de la cocaína.

Horas más tarde la milicia recibió otra llamada anónima en la que se informaba sobre la presencia de un vehículo de la marca Nissan, tipo Tsuru, color dorado, con matricula FYV-44-94 del Estado de Durango, el cual tenía en su interior dosis de polvo blanco, similar a la cocaína, agregando que dicho vehículo se encontraba en el exterior del centro nocturno denominado Bola 8.

De inmediato se dirigieron al lugar, localizando el vehículo y 13 envoltorios de plástico que contenían en su interior un polvo blanco con características de la cocaína; procedieron a efectuar revisión a las personas que se encontraban en dicho lugar, no logrando detener al propietario o quien conducía dicho vehículo.

Todo lo asegurado fue puesto a disposición del Ministerio Público Federal, quienes se harán cargo de las investigaciones correspondientes.

AZMEX LEGIS 10-1-09

2011-05-15T19:15:00.001-07:00

In Mexico, Curbing Violence Before It Is Learned

Adriana Zehbrauskas for The New York Times
Toy weapons for sale at a popular market in downtown Mexico City. A
Mexican lawmaker's proposal to toughen a ban on the toy guns would
fine or close down businesses that carry them.

By MARC LACEY
Published: January 10, 2009
MEXICO CITY — Over the Christmas holidays, Othón Cuevas Córdova, a
Mexican congressman, had his life threatened, albeit in jest. His
young nephew pointed a toy pistol that he had received as a gift at
the lawmaker and said, "Tío, I'm going to kill you."

Related
Times Topics: Drug Trafficking in Mexico

Mr. Cuevas was not amused. He talked to the boy's parents about the
inappropriateness of giving a child a weapon, even a plastic one, in
a country so overrun with violence. And he sped up the introduction
in Mexico's National Assembly of a legislative ban on the
fabrication, importation and sale of toy guns and other warlike toys.

"The boy was so young he could barely say the words," said Mr. Cueva,
who is from Mexico's southern Oaxaca State and represents the center-
left Party of the Democratic Revolution. "But from infancy, children
are learning the culture of violence and we need to do something
about it."

Mr. Cuevas' proposal to ban toy weaponry, introduced on Thursday, is
one of a number of legislative proposals aimed at addressing in one
way or another the explosion of killings and kidnappings that Mexico
is experiencing, much of it tied to narcotics traffickers fighting
with the authorities for control of their lucrative transit routes.

Lawmakers have suggested legalizing marijuana to reduce traffickers'
profits, bringing back the death penalty for kidnappers and reducing
the age at which criminal suspects can be tried as adults to 12 from
18, among other measures.

The bills face varying probabilities of success and are in some cases
dismissed as irrelevant by security experts. But they show the
concern, and even desperation, that many politicians feel toward the
state of their crime-racked country.

The proposal to legalize marijuana is considered dead. But President
Felipe Calderón has put forward his own measure to allow those
carrying small amounts of illegal drugs to spend time in treatment
centers instead of jail.

The overhaul of Mexico's judicial system — introducing quicker, oral
trials instead of the current trials conducted solely by the exchange
of legal documents, and making arrests of organized-crime suspects
easier — is considered by experts to be among the most important
legislative steps taken recently.

Substantive proposals are also under consideration to improve
intelligence-sharing among law enforcement agencies and to overhaul
the security forces to make them less corrupt.

One priority of Mr. Calderón's government is to reduce the number of
real guns in Mexico, the vast majority of which are smuggled into
Mexico from the United States. That is likely to be high on the
agenda when Mr. Calderón meets with President-elect Barack Obama on
Monday in Washington.

In the case of the toy gun ban, Mr. Cuevas is seeking to add teeth to
a measure already on the books. In 2002, Mexico made toy guns that
look like the real thing illegal, largely because criminals were
using the fake guns to commit crimes and get away with lighter
sentences. That ban applied to replicas of assault rifles, submachine
guns, shotguns and pistols.

The only problem with that ban, Mr. Cuevas said, is that it carried
no sanctions. Street vendors still sell toy Berettas outside schools.
Markets still stock realistic-looking AK-47 toy rifles, which are
known in criminal circles as "cuernos de chivo," or goat horns.

The beefed-up measure offered by Mr. Cuevas would fine those who
trade in toy weaponry or close down their businesses. The country
would be better without those sales, he argued.

"The cost we will pay as a society will be more if we do not do
something to prevent conduct in children that later will become
criminal," the bill says.

Mr. Cuevas acknowledged that wiping out every last plastic pistol,
realistic looking tank or replica warplane was not going to make
Mexico safe again, a point that security experts make as well. "It's
not a panacea," he said. "There are many reasons for this violence.
But this is something we can do."

Other places have tried a similar approach. Los Angeles, fed up with
an explosion of gang-related violence, banned toy gun sales in 1987.
In Iraq, the British Army issued a public safety announcement last
month asking parents to not allow their children to play with toy
guns "in case security forces mistake them for real weapons and open
fire."

Airsplat.com, a California company that makes toy guns that look like
real ones and fire plastic pellets, warns users not to bring their
guns to schools or pull them out in public places.

"If you are confronted by a police officer while transporting or
playing with your airsoft gun, stay calm and follow their orders to
the letter," the company says on its Web site. "Tell them the gun
isn't real, and ask them what you should do. Don't make any sudden
movements and DO NOT argue with the officers."

Toys are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how violent
themes reach children, said Mr. Cuevas, the father of two daughters.
There are violent video games and television shows, he said, that
expose children to unchildlike behavior. And then there are the
violent videos put up on Web sites, sometimes by drug traffickers
themselves.

On top of all that are news reports, which in Mexico, on any given
day, can feature beheadings, bombings and numerous other violent acts.

That real-life horror is what concerns José Antonio Ortega, president
of the Citizen's Committee for Public Security and Criminal Justice.

He lamented that the role models for many children these days "are
drug dealers, kidnappers and others involved in organized crime."

AZMEX WEAPONS EDITION 9-1-09

2011-05-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

AZMEX WEAPONS 9-1-09

Note: will work on english translation of this.
The headline is about cartels getting anti tank rocket launchers, etc
Don't see these weapons at your local gun show or store.

Nothing mentioned about 18,000 plus deserters from Mex armed forces, nor
about how much weapons and supplies went with them.
Not to mention arms sold by or stolen from Mex military & police.

From one of Mexico's main newspapers in Guadalajara
Part of the buildup for the Calderon - Obama meeting next week.

Gun control has served Mexico well, like the saying goes, Only the
outlaws will have guns.
Leaving citizens defenseless, therefore accounting for a good number
of low end firearms going south.
They really don't like being defenseless.
Think we need to start a Spanish language counter campaign to point
this out.
thx

Note: computer english

The Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas are the ones who have "more criminal
and violent activism" provides government report
Traffickers are armed with rocket launchers
As states seek to increase the fire power of its police forces,
organized crime and anti-tank type features artifacts and the ability
to penetrate armor.
11/01/2009 • M.P.

Photo: Alfredo San Juan
Mexican cartels buy high-powered weapons from 800 to two thousand
dollars, enabling them to have such anti-tank ordnance, rocket
launchers and capable of penetrating armor, while in Mexico the
police corporations seeking to increase their firepower to deal with
them on equal conditions.

A report of the national security cabinet reveals that Mexico has not
detected any foreign or domestic criminal organization that is
dedicated exclusively to the trafficking of arms, which is done
through operations ant crosses the 19 formal and "countless" gaps
there at the border.

Chihuahua alone, there are four formal crossings and 300 gaps across
the border from Ojinaga and Juarez, while the preferred embodiment of
the traffickers is to buy the parts from U.S. citizens or legal
residents.

The document, prepared by the PGR and the secretariats of Defense,
Navy, Public Safety and Administration, reports that drug traffickers
have dedicated cells to contact in the United States who can buy
weapons at any armory, and then insert them clandestinely the country.

Derived from analysis of seizures of firearms and ammunition and the
arrest of persons, the federal government has established that
criminal organizations of the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas "are the most
presence and violent criminal activity."

These groups have been secured the highest number of firearms and
special features for its versatility, potential adverse effects,
reach, penetration and volume of fire.

Highlights the M72 anti-tank rocket type weapons and AT-4, RPG-7
rocket launchers, 37 mm caliber grenade launcher MGL., Grenade
launcher attachments 37 and 40 mm calibres., 37 grenades and 40 mm.,
Fragmentation grenades, 50 caliber Barrett rifles.

In addition to firearms as next-generation submachine gun and the
Belgian-made FN Herstal, known as the Five Seven, also known as cop
killers for their ability to overcome the shielding of Kevlar and
CRISAT.

The second most important organization for the weaponry that has been
seized is of the Arellano Felix brothers, whose operational cells
have been secured to a lesser extent some rifles Barret (aircraft),
rocket launchers and submachine FN Herstal 5.7x28 caliber.

In third place is the so-called Pacific cartel and related groups (El
Mayo Zambada, Carrillo Fuentes) "with a significant presence, it is a
large group whose members have guaranteed them handguns and assault
rifles conventional features and exceptionally grenade launchers and .
37 mm caliber. "

The report adds that the introduction of weapons into Mexico is
through the U.S. border operations "ant and not in large quantities
at a time."

So far, investigations indicate that PGR people as individuals
engaged in this activity, and that in U.S. there is no clandestine
groups that sell weapons because the formal market is very large and
there is minimal control of their purchase, the makes irrelevant the
black market.

While the illegal market value fluctuates depending on supply and
demand, which can be found in a range of 800 to two thousand dollars,
although further consideration should be the age, condition, make,
model, and material.

Most of the weapons from entering the U.S. illegally and brands are
Colt, Smith & Wesson, Sturm Ruger, Remington, Winches-ter, Marlin
Firearms, Jennings
Firearms and Raven Arms.

makers are also Gabilondo & Cia, Spain, Italy and the Beretta USA,
Browning Belgium, Germany, Italy, Japan and EU, as well as the
Norinco of China.

Secretary of the SSP proposes to submit two devices to each agent "to
attack or defense"
Equip these grenades at the policemen's Yucatan
In cities with high crime rates the most powerful weapons are the
AR-15 and HK.

01/09/2009 • M.P.

Yucatan state police will be equipped with at least two grenades,
semi-automatic machine guns in addition, to increase their firepower
against crime.

The Security Undersecretary for Prevention and the government of that
entity, Hector Cabrera Rivero, explained that these actions are part
of the National Security Agreement signed by the federal and state
last August, in which numeral 11 provides that corporations Federal
and local authorities may uitilizar Army exclusive weapons, the
military's permission.

Article 11 of the Federal Firearms Act states that the shells are
used exclusively by the Army, so that the corporation Yucatan
requested authorization to national defense. This will be in charge
of buying weapons and training abroad (up to 90 days) to the military
in handling these devices.

Cabrera Rivero abounded that permits shall be issued after
confirmation that the police are trained to use them.

"It will be arms purchases from the states, according to your budget.
Even being analyzed each item takes up to two grenades and use as a
defense or attack, "said the official.

The Secretary admitted that there will be sectors of society who see
it as reckless to the fact that the police use such weapons. "While
there are entities such as Campeche and Yucatan, which is
characterized by its tranquility, no region of the country that
currently escape the crime."

He recalled that the mob used grenades and other explosive devices of
high caliber, so it is necessary that the police are on an equal
footing to face.

Weapons in the states

Yucatan is not the only entity whose officers carry weapons used
exclusively by the military. In Mexico City, the most populous city
and one that has the largest number of crimes, 4 000 100 judicial
police used small arms sizes 9 and 40 mm (Bereta), while among the
long highlight the UZI, AR- 15, Galil and HK.

The latter is the most powerful available to the corporation, because
a shot can go through walls and doors. Meanwhile, preventive feature
9 mm weapons. (Pietro Beretta), although some still run revolvers
(Smith and Wesson).

In Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, one of the most dangerous cities in the
country, 600 law enforcement thousand guns handled by 40 mm caliber.
In addition to 450 rifles, mainly AR-15. In contrast, agents Transit
lack of weapons.

In Baja California, bailiffs and the elements of the state police
fight crime with guns 9 mm rifle type, AR-15 and G-3. They also have
38 super caliber handguns and 9 mm.

Initiative Against Traffickers

Meanwhile, the PRI faction in the Permanent Commission today
presented a draft amendment to impose penalties ranging from 15 to 45
years imprisonment for public servants for complicity or inaction
allow the smuggling of nuclear arsenals. In its justification, the
party says that every 24 hours are smuggled into Mexico 2 000
firearms of large caliber.

Under the initiative, the arms trade is a business that generated
illegal profits by 30 billion dollars annually. Tambiénque is added
at least 90 percent of the weapons from the United States.

According to Senator Fernando Castro, chief sponsor of the bill,
assault rifles, AK-47 are readily available in the U.S. for $ 15 and
stressed that in the southern border of that country more than 12
thousand points of sale of weapons.

"The proliferation of firearms in Mexico has promoted the wave of
violence and prolongs the conflict between the cartels, one of the
main reasons why it has not been able to eradicate the serious
problem of public insecurity," he said.

Castro also argued that the institutions responsible for border
security "have succumbed to the greed of criminal groups."

David Saul Vela, Juan José García Amaro and Ivan Pedraza, Ruben
Mosso, Fernando Damian and Daniel Venegas.

El cártel del Golfo y Los Zetas son los que tienen "mayor activismo
delictivo y violento", establece informe gubernamental
Narcos se arman con lanzacohetes
Mientras los estados buscan aumentar la capacidad de fuego de sus
corporaciones policiacas, el crimen organizado ya cuenta con
artefactos tipo antitanque y con capacidad para penetrar blindajes.
2009-01-11•M.P.

Foto: Alfredo San Juan
Los cárteles mexicanos adquieren armas de alto poder entre 800 y dos
mil dólares, que les han permitido contar con artefactos tipo
antitanque, lanzacohetes y con capacidad de penetrar blindajes,
mientras que en México las corporaciones policiales buscan aumentar
su capacidad de fuego para enfrentarlos en igualdad de condiciones.

Un informe del gabinete de seguridad nacional revela que en México no
se ha detectado alguna organización delictiva extranjera o nacional
que se dedique exclusivamente al tráfico de armamento, que se realiza
a través de operaciones hormiga por los 19 cruces formales y las
"incontables" brechas que hay en la frontera.

Tan sólo en Chihuahua hay cuatro cruces formales y 300 brechas que
cruzan la frontera entre Ojinaga y Ciudad Juárez, en tanto que la
modalidad preferida de los traficantes es comprar las piezas a
ciudadanos estadunidenses o residentes legales.

El documento, elaborado por la PGR y las secretarías de la Defensa,
Marina, Seguridad Pública y Gobernación, refiere que los
narcotraficantes cuentan con células dedicadas a contactar en Estados
Unidos a quienes pueden comprar las armas en cualquier armería, para
luego introducirlas de manera clandestina al país.

Derivado del análisis de los aseguramientos de armas de fuego y
municiones, así como de la detención de personas, el gobierno federal
ha establecido que las organizaciones delictivas del cártel del Golfo
y Los Zetas "son las de mayor presencia y activismo delictivo y
violento".

A estos grupos se les ha asegurado el mayor número de armas de fuego
y de características especiales por su versatilidad, potencialidad
lesiva, alcance, penetración y volumen de fuego.

Destacan las armas tipo cohetes antitanque M72 y AT-4; lanzacohetes
RPG-7; lanzagranadas MGL calibre 37 mm.; aditamentos lanzagranadas
calibres 37 y 40 mm.; granadas de 37 y 40 mm.; granadas de
fragmentación; fusiles Barret calibre 50.

Además de armas de fuego de nueva generación como la subametralladora
y la pistola FN Herstal de fabricación belga, conocida como Five
Seven, también llamada matapolicías por su capacidad de traspasar los
blindajes de Klebar y Crisat.

La segunda organización más importante por el armamento que se le ha
decomisado es la de los hermanos Arellano Félix, a cuyas células
operativas se les ha asegurado en menor proporción algunos fusiles
Barret (antiaéreos), lanzacohetes y subametralladoras FN Herstal
calibre 5.7x28.

En tercer sitio está el denominado cártel del Pacífico y grupos
afines (El Mayo Zambada, Carrillo Fuentes) "con presencia
significativa, pues es un grupo numeroso a cuyos integrantes se les
han asegurado armas cortas y fusiles de asalto de características
convencionales y, excepcionalmente, lanzagranadas y granadas calibre .
37 milímetros".

El informe agrega que la introducción de armas a México se realiza
por la frontera con Estados Unidos en operaciones "hormiga y no en
grandes cantidades a la vez".

Hasta el momento, las investigaciones de la PGR indican que personas
en lo individual realizan esa actividad, y que en Estados Unidos no
hay grupos clandestinos que vendan armas debido a que el mercado
formal es muy grande y es mínimo el control para su adquisición, lo
que hace inoperante un mercado negro.

En tanto que el valor en el mercado ilegal fluctúa en función de la
oferta y la demanda, que puede encontrarse en un rango de 800 a dos
mil dólares, aunque se debe considerar adicionalmente la antigüedad,
estado de conservación, marca, modelo y versión del material.

La mayoría de las armas que ingresan ilegalmente provienen de EU y
son las marcas Colt, Smith&Wesson, Sturm Ruger, Remington, Winches-
ter, Marlin Firearms, Jennings
Firearms y Raven Arms.

También están las marcas Llama Gabilondo&Cia, de España, la Bereta de
Italia y Estados Unidos, la Browning de Bélgica, Alemania, Italia,
Japón y EU, así como la Norinco de China.

Subsecretario de la SSP propone que se entreguen dos artefactos a
cada agente "para ataque o defensa"
Dotarán de granadas a los policías de Yucatán
En urbes con altos índices delictivos las armas más poderosas son las
AR-15 y HK.

2009-01-09•M.P.

Los policías estatales de Yucatán serán dotados de al menos dos
granadas de fragmentación, además de ametralladoras semiautomáticas,
para aumentar su poder de fuego frente a la delincuencia.

El subsecretario de Prevención y Seguridad del gobierno de esa
entidad, Héctor Cabrera Rivero, explicó que estas acciones se
enmarcan en el Acuerdo Nacional de Seguridad suscrito por los
gobiernos federal y de los estados en agosto pasado, en cuyo numeral
11 se estipula que las corporaciones federales y locales podrán
uitilizar armas exclusivas del Ejército, previa autorización de la
Sedena.

El artículo 11 de la Ley Federal de Armas estipula que las granadas
son de uso exclusivo del Ejército, por lo que la corporación yucateca
pidió la autorización a la Defensa Nacional. Ésta será la encargada
de comprar el armamento en el extranjero y capacitar (hasta por 90
días) a los uniformados en el manejo de esos artefactos.

Cabrera Rivero abundó que en los permisos se otorgarán una vez que se
confirme que los policías están capacitados para usarlas.

"Se harán adquisiciones de armamento por parte de los estados, de
acuerdo con su presupuesto. Incluso se está analizando que cada
elemento lleve hasta dos granadas y las use como defensa o ataque",
dijo el funcionario.

El subsecretario admitió que habrá sectores de la sociedad que verán
como temerario el hecho de que la policía utilice ese armamento.
"Aunque haya entidades como Campeche y Yucatán que se caracterizan
por su tranquilidad, no hay región del país que escape en estos
momentos a la delincuencia."

Recordó que la hampa utiliza granadas y otros artefactos explosivos
de gran calibre, por lo que es necesario que los policías estén en
igualdad de condiciones para enfrentarla.

Armas en los estados

Yucatán no es la única entidad cuyos policías portarán armas de uso
exclusivo del Ejército. En el DF, la ciudad más poblada del país y
una de las que concentra el mayor número de delitos, los 4 mil 100
policías judiciales utilizan armas cortas calibres 9 y 40 mm
(Bereta), mientras entre las largas destacan la UZI, AR-15, Galil y HK.

Esta última es la más poderosa con que cuenta la corporación, porque
un disparo puede atravesar muros y puertas. En tanto, los preventivos
cuentan con armas 9 mm. (Pietro Bereta), aunque algunos manejan aún
revólveres (Smith and Wesson).

En Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, otra de las urbes más peligrosas del
país, los mil 600 agentes del orden manejan pistolas de cargo calibre
40 mm., además de 450 armas largas, principalmente AR-15. En
contraste, los agentes de Tránsito carecen de armas.

En Baja California, los agentes judiciales y los elementos de la
policía estatal combaten la delincuencia con armas largas tipo
carabina 9 mm, AR-15 y G-3. También poseen armas cortas calibre 38
súper y 9 mm.

Iniciativa contra traficantes

En tanto, la fracción del PRI en la Comisión Permanente presentó ayer
un proyecto de reformas para imponer sanciones de entre 15 y 45 años
de prisión a los servidores públicos que por complicidad u omisión
permitan el contrabando de arsenales. En su justificación, ese
partido advierte que cada 24 horas son introducidas ilegalmente a
México 2 mil armas de fuego de grueso calibre.

De acuerdo con la iniciativa, el tráfico de armas es un negocio que
genera ganancias ilícitas por 30 mil millones de dólares anuales. Se
añade tambiénque al menos 90 por ciento del armamento proviene de
Estados Unidos.

Según el senador Fernando Castro, principal promotor de la propuesta,
los fusiles de asalto AK-47 son fáciles de adquirir en Estados Unidos
por 15 dólares y subrayó que en la frontera sur de ese país existen
más de 12 mil puntos de venta de armas.

"La proliferación de armas de fuego en México ha fomentado la ola de
violencia y prolonga los conflictos entre los cárteles, una de las
principales causas por las que no se ha podido erradicar el grave
problema de la inseguridad pública", puntualizó.

Castro sostuvo también que las instituciones encargadas de la
seguridad en las fronteras "han sucumbido ante la voracidad de los
grupos criminales".

David Saúl Vela, Juan José García Amaro e Iván Pedraza, Rubén Mosso,
Fernando Damián y Daniel Venegas.

AZMEX 18-12-08

2011-05-15T18:14:00.000-07:00

NOTE: FROM THE BORDER REPORTER

THE BORDER REPORT

From time to time, I like to give other people space to share their perspective on this border. Today, it's a former drug trafficker for the Juárez Cartel, back from the days of Amado Carrillo Fuentes.

"Rabbit," as he was known then and will be known on BorderReporter.com, worked for the Juárez Cartel from 1984 onward. He was charged, and I have copies of the U.S. District Court indictment and sentencing agreement that establish his credibility, with possession with intent to distribute more than one thousand kilograms of marijuana, money laundering and the Kingpin Rule, known as running a criminal enterprise.

Mexico's $400 Million Tip

I recently saw on CNN that the United States Government gave the first $197 million of $400 million to Mexico to battle Mexico's never-ending war with its very powerful narco cartels. I had to laugh. If you saw what I've seen, you would too.

In the mid-1980's and the early 1990's I worked for the Juárez Cartel. Everyone that I was involved with worked for Amado Carillo-Fuentes, the Lord of the Skies. Amado had countless Federal Security Directorate and PGR agents working for him. I lived in a house in Hermosillo that AFI agents guarded 24 hours a day, that was loaded with several thousand kilos of cocaine. The most expensive home was called club Fed. These agents were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to protect all of us. As long as the money flowed, we had the protection of the Mexican police.

Over the years, we paid off Mexican police, Mexican federales and military personnel. We also paid Border Patrol agents on this side of the border. I had involuntarily donated several several expensive vehicles to Mexican officials. If I drove down to Mexico in a nice vehicle, I was told how much they liked my ride. So I handed the keys over and that was the last time I saw my car. I got smart after a while and started driving down there in an old Pontiac Ventura. They wanted no part of that car.

Mexico could replace all the governors and all the upper level law enforcement heads along the border and still be plagued with corruption. The only success they would bring is bringing in a new band of thieves.

But let's look at Sonora for a second.

At least 50 percent of all the U.S.'s narcotics are smuggled through Sonora. The U.S. governemnt confiscated 1.8 million pounds of pot on the Mexican border this year. They say that that reflects 15 percent of the gross product. So ask yourself how much space it takes to grow 10 million pounds of weed every year. Then ask yourself what $400 million pays for. We are not even talking about meth production or the thousands of acres of popies being grown there for the production of black tar heroin. Then you have the wide spread importation of cocaine from South America, 600 tons in 2007 alone.

The Amercan Government pays Mexico your tax dollars to combat a war that Mexican officials aren't even trying to win. They don't want to win. Maybe they can't afford to win The Mexican Army protects and is responsible for vast amounts of marijuana being grown in mexico for distribution in the U.S. Back whe nI was in the business, the Mexican army acted as scouts for the traffickers in the Northern Sonoran area.

Along the border in places like Aqua Prieta and Naco, you have differnt narco traffickers that control that area. The Paredes-Machados family in Agua Prieta is one of these wealthy importers that are responsible for these areas. They have have used tunnels and the desert areas east of Douglas, Ariz., to import tons of marijuana and cocaine.

The Paredes have people out there monitoring the border 24 hours a day. They rarely lose any product.

My conclusion is that the United States just gave Mexico a $400 million donation. Whatever good that money can do, it will without a doubt be shadowed by the corruption that Mexico is known for. The problems down there are only beginning.

I haven't been in the business for two years, but I can promise you, nothing has changed.

« No Español Here

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 at 6:53 am and is filed under General News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

AZMEX SONORA HUNTS 14-12-08

2011-05-15T18:13:00.001-07:00

Subject: azmex sonora hunts

Date: December 14, 2008 10:20:13 AM MST

Note: Also good ideat to check in with U.S. Customs with firearms before going into Mexico

if you want to come back in with them with minimal hassle. Have also hunted down there, mostly

along Sonora - Chihuahua line. Good hunting, Don't have to hunt with guide on private ranches,

but it a better idea especially if don't know the area or languages.

thx

Sonora nurtures efforts to attract US hunters

By Gabriela Rico

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.14.2008

LA COLORADA, Sonora — U.S. hunters looking for prized game are giving beef and dairy cattle ranchers in northern Mexico an economic boost.

And more and more ranchers are cashing in on the growing industry of "hunting tourism" by making their lands — inhabited by mature deer, bighorn sheep, Gould turkeys and buffalo — available to well-aiming foreigners.

Three years ago, Enrique Savedra opened his 6,400-acre La Jagüey Ranch to U.S. hunters. He receives $3,000 per hunter whether or not they make a kill.

The Savedra family was resistant to participate "because we like the animals," but he recognized the money could help them get through lean times when beef cattle prices fall.

As he milked cows at sunrise one recent morning, Enrique's brother, Abdon, said the arrangement is good and that the sound of gunshots in the distance doesn't frighten the cattle. He makes cheese and sells it in Hermosillo to supplement the family's income.

In three years, seven hunters have visited the Savedra family ranch in this former mining town about 40 miles southeast of Hermosillo.

Sonora gets about $30 million annually from hunting tourism, according to state tourism officials. Of the 7,248 permits issued in the 2007 season, more than 5,000 were awarded to U.S. hunters.

Outfitters help to organize

Hunters are brought to the ranches by coordinators on both sides of the border who make the arrangements for accommodations, meals, travel, permits and — most importantly — the import of weapons into Mexico.

One coordinator, Brad Fulk, owner of Rio Sonora Outfitters, LLC based in Hereford, became intrigued about hunting tourism during a trip in 1998.

"I learned about hunting Mexico during a 'cowboy hunt' where you hook up with a Mexican cowboy, jump on a horse and go hunting," he said.

As a wildlife biologist, Fulk said he wanted to introduce wildlife management into the growing industry.

He establishes the age of bucks and asks hunters to only take out older, larger bucks, preferably between the ages of 6 and 10 and explains to ranch owners that they shouldn't over-harvest game on their property in order to give the deer time to mature, breed and pass on good genes.

"I explain to them, if they do it wrong … they'll be out of business in two years," Fulk said.

His operation specializes in hunting Coues whitetail deer, which are only found in the four-corner regions of Arizona, New Mexico, Chihuahua and Sonora. Fulk works with two ranchers in Chihuahua and six in Sonora. Hunts start at $4,000.

The ranchers must provide room and board for the hunters at their ranch homes, including running water, hot showers and electricity. The ranch cowboys are used as guides, and their wives do the cooking.

The rancher incurs no other responsibility, other than getting the ranch registered for hunting with the Mexican government.

"All the work that they have is to have the house ready, with accommodations," Fulk said. "Other than that, their work is putting money in the bank."

Fulk secures the permits for hunters to import weapons into Mexico and export paperwork with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture to transport the trophy back into the U.S. The head must be boiled clean and the hide frozen for at least 24 hours before it can enter the U.S. to avoid quarantine.

While Fulk doesn't promise hunters will get their trophy, he says typically they will come across 100-inch bucks daily, referring to the inches of antlers on the cervid. On a recent trip, two hunters both got a 120-inch whitetail buck.

"It's a good opportunity for both sides," Fulk said. "It's a great business opportunity for the local ranch owners with good deer populations, and hunters have a very good opportunity to take exceptional deer … while avoiding permit draw limitations, and hunter-density issues in the field."

Most seek trophy

Fulk said most hunters are interested in the trophy, not the deer meat, which is left to the ranchers.

Avid hunter Kevin Kearney said that's one of the things he likes about the trips to Mexico.

"They have so little and they're so nice," he said of the ranchers and cowboys. "We tip them by giving the cowboys the meat from the deer we kill. It's a neat experience."

A structural engineer in Las Vegas, Kearney, 32, has hunted in Mexico twice a year since 2003 with Fulk.

"There's more opportunity for trophy deer in Sonora," he said. Competition for U.S. hunting permits means hunters have only a 10 percent chance of getting drawn.

"In Mexico, if you've got the money, you've got the tags," he said. The five-day Coues whitetail deer hunts cost him about $4,000.

Accommodations have ranged from adobe huts with dirt floors to nice houses with running water, Kearney said.

Hereford resident Paul O'Brien, 74, has joined six hunts since 1999 and estimates he's spent around $18,000.

A native of Bisbee and retired from Phelps Dodge mines, O'Brien said he grew up hunting in the Chiricahuas but that the game in Sonora is much better.

"In Mexico, there's just more bucks," he said. "It's a fantastic hunt."

O'Brien said he enjoys deer meat and brings some home, but leaves a lot with the cowboys and ranchers.

"They work really hard," he said. "And we eat like kings … although it's mostly Mexican food."

Not interested in hunting

Enrique Savedra said no one in his family is interested in hunting, and he's amazed by the money people are willing to spend on the sport.

Trips to his property, where mule deer and bighorn sheep can be found, are typically two weeks long. The season, which began last month, lasts through Feb. 4.

The majority of hunters show up after Jan. 1, Savedra said.

"They all leave happy because they get a kill," he said.

Some ranchers have started using tactics such as spraying bushes with doe urine in order to attract more bucks onto their property.

Savedra said he's not interested in making his ranch too busy because his parents still live on the property and enjoy the simplicity of their life with roosters, chickens, horses, dogs and cattle.

The family appreciates the extra income but doesn't want to get rich by letting more hunters onto their land.

The government has made several changes to firearms permits in order to facilitate hunters traveling by land or through an airport, said Epifanio Salido Pavlovich, director of tourism for the state of Sonora.

He called the increasing popularity of hunting tourism a "very positive thing" for the state's cattle ranchers.

"People can no longer depend on cattle as their sole source of income," Salido said. "They need to be diversified."

Aside from deer and sheep, Sonora allows the hunt of doves, pheasants, javelina and mountain lions.

There are dozens of hunt coordinators both in Sonora and Arizona who facilitate the trips. For more information, visit the Sonora tourism Web site at gotosonora.com and click on "Outdoors Adventure."

● Contact reporter Gabriela Rico at 573-4232 or grico@azstarnet.com.