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S Latin America Military and Security Watch O Foreign Military Studies Table of Contents Office 731 McClellan Ave MEXICO Fort Leavenworth, KS ORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKING 66027 The Evolution of Criminal Activity In Morelos – 19 April 2011 Construction Workers Discover Clandestine Grave in Pesquería, Nuevo fmso- Leon – 18 April 2011 [email protected] AEI Agents Locate Three Bodies in Clandestine Graves in Escobedo, 414-795-8802 Nuevo Leon – 17 April 2011 Federal Police Locate Five Clandestine Graves near Santa Catarina, Nuevo Leon – 18 April 2011 Use of these articles does not 28 Bodies Recovered From Clandestine Graves in Ciudad del Maiz, San reflect official endorsement. Luis Potosí – 18 April 2011 Reproduction for private use Hitmen Kill PGR Representative and Two Ministerial Police Officers in or gain is subject to original Villa Juarez, Sinaloa – 18 April 2011 copyright restrictions. Police Commander Murdered in Mazatlan, Sinaloa – 18 April 2011 Confrontation between Soldiers and Gunmen Leaves Three Dead in This report is a compilation of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon – 17 April 2011 extract translations of Mexican Family Kidnapped in Oaxaca and Killed in Tres Valles, Veracruz – 18 open source information and April 2011 not evaluated intelligence. 12 Individuals Murdered on 17 April 2011 in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 18 April 2011 The complete articles in Human Remains Recovered from Interior of Suitcase in Guadalajara, Spanish are available from Jalisco – 17 April 2011 FMSO-JRIC. Classification MILITARY level of this product is FOUO. Soldiers Capture Two Individuals Acting as Lookouts in Cadereyta, Nuevo Leon – 18 April 2011 Soldiers Seize 300 Kilograms of Marijuana in Halacho, Yucatan – 18 April 2011
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Soldiers Arrest Two Gunmen following Shootout in Culiacan, Sinaloa – 18 April 2011 Soldiers Seize Drugs and Weapons in Barca, Jalisco – 19 April 2011 FEDERAL POLICE AND LAW E ALL NFORCEMENT Two Los Zetas Operators Arrested in San Rafael, Veracruz – 16 April 2011 Members of Two Kidnapping Gangs Arrested in Tabasco – 18 April 2011 GOVERNMENT Tamaulipas Governor Names New Chief of Public Security – 17 April 2011 CORRUPTION Judge Orders Arraignment Hearing for 16 San Fernando Police Officers in Tamaulipas – 19 April 2011 CENTRAL AMERICA SENAN Personnel Seize 594 Kilograms of Drug in Panama – 18 April 2011
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MEXICO ORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKING The Evolution of Criminal Activity in Morelos – 19 April 2011 Economic and social conditions in select areas of Morelos have provided organized crime groups an ample recruitment base; especially among the youth population. Principal groups operating in this area have been identified as the South Pacific Cartel and the Gulf Cartel.
The case of Rodrigo Elizalde Mora, aka El Chemís: This individual is originally from the Huitzilac municipality of Morelos. He is 25 years old, and was recently arrested after authorities discovered that he was working as a hitman for an organized crime group in the area. For his work, he stated that he was paid 10,000 pesos per month. When compared to what local farmers, workers, and service industry employees make, El Chemís was earning a considerable amount more.
Statistics reported regarding the violence in Morelos: Cuernavaca is the area in which the majority of confrontations between criminal groups operating in the area occur. The Lagunas de Zempoala stretch along the México-Cuernavaca is the area in which the highest number of kidnappings and homicides are reported. Within the municipality of Huitzilac, farmers and loggers, especially the younger generation, are finding themselves without work. In order to sustain themselves, some of these individuals are involved in kidnappings or murders ordered by organized crime groups operating in the area. In order, the municipalities with the highest murder rates were listed as: o Cuernavaca o Temixco o Xochitepec o Jiutepec o Cuautla o Puente de Ixtla o Jojutla, Emiliano Zapata o Yautepec In light of the situation, the government has invested 70 million pesos worth of scholarship money in an attempt to keep college age kids in school. Dropout rates in the college realm range from 45 to 50% following initial registration and the first year of studies (20,966 of the 365,750 students studying at the university level).
Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/80162.html
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Construction Workers Discover Clandestine Grave in Pesquería, Nuevo Leon – 18 April 2011 On 17 April 2011 at around 2130 hours, construction workers discovered a clandestine grave approximately 100 meters from the 59 kilometer mark along the Toll Highway that leads to Dulces Nombres. This area is located in the Pesquería municipality of [25.7851 - 100.0509], Nuevo Leon. The grave in question measured 50-60 centimeters deep, and investigators estimated that the remains recovered from this site had been there for at least two years.
Comment: Only one body was recovered from this site.
Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/node/697249
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AEI Agents Locate Three Bodies in Clandestine Graves in Escobedo, Nuevo Leon – 17 April 2011 On 16 April 2011 at around 2100 hours, AEI investigators recovered the bodies of three male murder victims from a clandestine grave that was discovered along Melitón Villarreal Street [25.7996 -100.3701] in the Santa Lucía neighborhood of Escobedo, Nuevo Leon. All of the victims in question appear to have been brutally tortured before being murdered. At this point, authorities are working to discover the identities of the now deceased victims.
Spanish Source: http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/04/encuentran-narcofosas-en-nuevo-leon.html#more
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Federal Police Locate Five Clandestine Graves near Santa Catarina, Nuevo Leon – 18 April 2011 On 18 April 2011, unofficial reports surfaced indicating that Federal Police uncovered five clandestine graves and the remains of at least two murder victims following the arrest of kidnappers. The discovery in question occurred near La Colorada farming cooperative approximately two kilometers west of the road that leads to Huasteca in Nuevo Leon.
In this same area, police discovered a shooting range, and also arrested an individual with a radio communications device (most likely serving as a lookout).
Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/node/697813
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28 Bodies Recovered From Clandestine Graves in Ciudad del Maiz, San Luis Potosí – 18 April 2011 On 15 April 2011, investigators recovered 28 bodies from clandestine graves in Ciudad del Maíz, San Luis Potosí. It is believed that these victims could somehow be tied to the clandestine graves recently discovered in San Fernando, Tamaulipas.
Comment: Initially, San Luis Potosí authorities tried to keep this discovery a secret, but soldiers and Federal Police would not allow it. Eventually, this news was released, and it was decided that the bodies excavated from this site would be transferred to Mexico City along with the victims from San Fernando for a forensic evaluation.
Spanish Source: http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/04/el-misterio-de-las-narcofosas-halladas.html#more
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Hitmen Kill PGR Representative and Two Ministerial Police Officers in Villa Juarez, Sinaloa – 18 April 2011 Late on 17 April 2011, gunmen attacked a group of four individuals travelling in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee in Villa Juarez, Sinaloa. Following this attack, the deceased victims were identified as follows: Omar Guerrero, 36, PGR Representative Marcelino Valenzuela Sarabia, 49, Ministerial Police Officer Victor Manuel Bringas, 33, Ministerial Police Officer Jose Medina Arias, 41 Recovered from the crime scene were more than 40 AK-47 shell casings.
Spanish Source: http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/04/acribillan-cuatro-hombres-en-sinaloa.html#more
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Police Commander Murdered in Mazatlan, Sinaloa – 18 April 2011 On 17 April 2011, Antonio Lopez Hernandez, the Commander of the Homicide Department, was attacked and killed by gunmen at the intersection of Luis Donaldo and Santa Rosa Avenues [23.255758 -106.40763]in Mazatlan, Sinaloa. At this point, none of the suspects involved in this attack have been arrested.
Spanish Source: http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/04/ejecutan-comandante-en-sinaloa.html#more
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Confrontation between Soldiers and Gunmen Leaves Three Dead in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon – 17 April 2011 On 17 April 2011 at around 1700 hours, a confrontation between soldiers and gunmen was reported near the intersection of Farolillo and Duraznillo Streets [25.7645 -100.3838] in the San Bernabé neighborhood of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. The attack ended in Sector 13 of the same neighborhood. Following the confrontation, it was reported that three gunmen were killed and three soldiers were wounded. No further details regarding the incident were reported.
Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/node/697137
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Family Kidnapped in Oaxaca and Killed in Tres Valles, Veracruz – 18 April 2011 On 16 April 2011, gunmen kidnapped three family members from their business located in Tuxtepec [18.1000 -96.1167], Oaxaca. The bodies of these kidnapping victims were later recovered on a dirt road in Tres Valles [18.2364,-96.1334], Veracruz. The now deceased family members were identified as follows: Alejandro TRONCO Mora, 25 Cesar TRONCO Mora, 30 Daniel TRONCO Garcia, 57 Recovered from the scene of the crime were shell casings pertaining to 7.62mm, .45 caliber, 9mm, and .38 weapons.
Spanish source: http://www.oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/notas/n2046019.htm
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12 Individuals Murdered on 17 April 2011 in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 18 April 2011 On 17 April 2011, at least 12 individuals fell victim to organized crime violence in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. One of the 12 victims was reportedly dismembered and discarded in the Hidalgo neighborhood [31.746708,-106.465416]. His severed head had been affixed to a retaining wall. At this point, the identities of the 12 murder victims have not yet been reported.
Spanish Source: http://www.elagora.com.mx/Asesinaron-a-12-ayer-en-Ciudad,33258.html
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Human Remains Recovered from Interior of Suitcase in Guadalajara, Jalisco – 17 April 2011 The human remains of a murder victim were recovered from the interior of a suitcase that was left outside a residence located on La Paz Avenue, near its intersection with Marsella Street, in the Americana
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neighborhood [20.672379,-103.363066] of Guadalajara, Jalisco. Forensic examiners are working to determine the man’s identity.
Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/node/696943
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MILITARY Soldiers Capture Two Individuals Acting as Lookouts in Cadereyta, Nuevo Leon – 18 April 2011 On 18 April 2011 at around 1400 hours, Army soldiers arrested two male suspects serving as lookouts on Cuauhtémoc and Escobedo Streets [25.5839 -99.9940] in Cadereyta, Nuevo Leon. After disobeying orders to stop, the two men attempted to flee, but were detained after striking a utility pole. Arrested were: Unidentified 20-year-old male Unidentified 18-year-old male Seized from the now detained suspects were: Red Ford Fiesta (in which they were traveling) 2 toy (replica) semi-automatic handguns
Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/node/697961
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Soldiers Seize 300 Kilograms of Marijuana in Halacho, Yucatan – 18 April 2011 On 17 April 2011, soldiers assigned to the 22nd Motorized Cavalry Regiment seized 300 kilograms of marijuana from a cargo truck traveling along the Merida-Campeche highway in Halacho [20.4833 - 90.0833], Yucatan. Over the past week, two similar seizures were made in Yucatán and Quintana Roo resulting in the confiscation of more than one metric ton of marijuana.
Spanish source: http://www.sipse.com/noticias/98442-decomisan-300-marihuana-halacho.html
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Soldiers Arrest Two Gunmen following Shootout in Culiacan, Sinaloa – 18 April 2011 Soldiers conducting routine patrols noted a group of gunmen involved in criminal activity in the Lazaro Cardenas neighborhood [24.772785 - 107.377367] of Culiacan, Sinaloa. This realization prompted them to
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intervene quickly which resulted in a confrontation. Following this incident, the gunmen were arrested. Those items seized from these individuals were reported as follows: AK-47s, AR-15s A grenade launcher Radio communications equipment Bullet proof vests Tactical equipment
Spanish Source: http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/04/militares-son-testigos-de-balacera-y.html#more
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Soldiers Seize Drugs and Weapons in Barca, Jalisco – 19 April 2011 Soldiers assigned to the XV Military Zone seized drugs and weapons from the interior of an abandoned residence in the Cundireo village of La Barca [20.292469,-102.545528] Jalisco. Those items seized were identified as follows: 1 AR-15 (1) .223 caliber rifle 6 magazines 134 rounds of ammunition (8) 40mm grenades 2 fragmentation grenades 55.5 kilograms of marijuana Authorities believe that the location in question was used as a safe house by members of organized crime groups. No arrests were made in conjunction with this seizure.
Spanish Source: http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldemexico/notas/n2047838.htm
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FEDERAL POLICE AND LAW E all NFORCEMENT Two Los Zetas Operators Arrested in San Rafael, Veracruz – 16 April 2011 An operation carried out by Federal Police led to the arrest of two Los Zetas operators in San Rafael [21.5667 -98.1500], Veracruz. Those individuals now police custody were identified as follows: Armando Ricardo MEHUNIER Lambert aka La Nana, 42. Involved in kidnapping and drug trafficking activities within the San Rafael municipality. Miguel GUEVARA Rodriguez aka El Tlacuache, 29. Involved in kidnapping and drug trafficking activities within the San Rafael municipality. Those items seized from these individuals were reported as follows: 9mm pistol with magazine and 16 rounds of ammunition
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527 envelopes of cocaine powder 100 envelopes of cocaine rocks (crack) A bag with 70 envelopes of marijuana Communication radio
Spanish source: http://ssp.gob.mx/portalWebApp/appmanager/portal/desk?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=portlet_1_1&port let_1_1_actionOverride=%2Fboletines%2FDetalleBoletin&portlet_1_1id=824094
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Members of Two Kidnapping Gangs Arrested in Tabasco – 18 April 2011 The PGJE reports that eight members of two separate kidnapping gangs were arrested in Cardenas [17.9833 -93.3667] and Cunduacan [18.0667 -93.1667], Tabasco. Of these individuals, six were arrested in Cardenas and two were arrested in Cunduacan. Those individuals arrested during the first operation were identified as follows: Jose Rogelio GARRIDO Mendoza aka El Panda or El Pepe, 23, a PEMEX employee Juan de DIOS Bolio aka El Bolio or El Peludo, 20 Freddy de la CRUZ de la Cruz aka El Machaca, 45 Edgar de la CRUZ Pedrero aka La Iguana, 22 Diego de la CRUZ Romero, 30 Bartolo Ivan de la CRUZ Romero aka El Ivan, 23 Those individuals arrested during the second operation were identified as follows: Juan Alfonso RODRIGUEZ aka La Pava Juan Ramon GARCIA aka El Venado
Comment: It was not reported if these kidnapping gangs work independently or comprise part of a larger group. Los Zetas are very prevalent in Tabasco, so it is possible they work as independent cells to this group.
Spanish source: http://www.oem.com.mx/elheraldodetabasco/notas/n2045836.htm Top of the Document
GOVERNMENT Tamaulipas Governor Names New Chief of Public Security – 17 April 2011 In the wake of the recent resignation of SSP Secretary General Ubaldo Ayala Tinoco, the Governor of Tamaulipas appointed Rafael Lomelí Martínez to this position. Prior to this appointment, Lomelí Martínez served as the State Coordinator of the Federal Police in Nuevo Leon.
Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/node/697044
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CORRUPTION Judge Orders Arraignment Hearing for 16 San Fernando Police Officers in Tamaulipas – 19 April 2011 A federal judge ordered an arraignment hearing for 16 San Fernando Municipal Police that are being accused of providing protection to Los Zetas. These same individuals are said to have helped this criminal group carry out over 145 murders in San Fernando. Those individuals now in police custody were identified as follows: Guadalupe HERNÁNDEZ Ibarra Remigio MIRELES Camarillo Óscar JARAMILLO Sosa Martín GARCÍA Badillo José Luis AGUILAR Vélez Jesús RAMOS Pérez Eleodoro ROBLES Sánchez Elpidio REYES Sáenz Gilberto RIVERA Hernández Lázaro FLORES Peña María Guadalupe GALVÁN Hernández Mario Alberto ROMERO Hernández Santos MALDONADO Reyes Julio Guadalupe JARAMILLO Vela José Manuel ÁVILA Lugo Rogelio DE LA PORTILLA Heredia
Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/184878.html
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CENTRAL AMERICA SENAN Personnel Seize 594 Kilograms of Drug in Panama – 18 April 2011 Over the weekend of 16-17 April 2011, two operations conducted by SENAN personnel led to the seizure of cocaine and marijuana. These operations were reported as follows:
Operation one: At night on 16 April 2011, authorities seized 395 kilograms of cocaine from a boat after it ran aground on Isla Naranjo [9.4370 -79.7992], Panama (Colon Province). Arrested in conjunction with the incident were one Panamanian and one Colombian national. The vessel utilized to transport this shipment reportedly measured 25 feet, equipped with a 60 horsepower motor, and was operating under the name “Niña Luz”.
Operation two: Midday on 17 April 2011, authorities seized 199 kilograms of marijuana from a boat on Isla Chepillo [8.9515 -79.1259] (near the mouth of Rio Chepo in the Panama province of Panama). Arrested in conjunction with the seizure were three Colombian nationals.
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Spanish Source: http://www.critica.com.pa/archivo/04192011/suc16.html#axzz1JzIhWIDf and http://www.critica.com.pa/archivo/04182011/suc19.html
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