Mireles Case: Vallejo, Castillo and Godoy Refuse To Testify

By: Francisco Castellanos J. | Translated by Valor for Borderland Beat

Ignacio Mendoza, lawyer of the founder and former autodefensa leader, José Manuel Mireles Valverde, called it a “mockery” for Mexico’s justice system because of former commissioner for the Security of Michoacán, Alfredo Castillo Cervantes, Michoacán’s former governor Fausto Vallejo Figueroa, and Attorney General Martín Godoy Castro’s refusal to obey the order of the Fifth District Court to present themselves to testify in Mireles’ case.

Mendoza, who also represents Cemeí Verdía, said that none of them have justification to not present themselves and that for them to keep maintaining that position could be eligible for a fine of more than 80 minimum wages.

Castillo, he added, has a large scale position (head of the National Sports Commission) so he could have gone to testify but instead sent a letter via his assistant that was not signed.

“José Martín Godoy is the Attorney General of Michoacán so he could well have come via helicopter and not spent more than four hours,” he explained.

For the case of the former governor, he said, he is now an ordinary citizen, and even more so, he could’ve attended but had health problems, Mireles’ lawyer explained.

The lawyer claims to have won the case, that the former leader of the autodefensas will be released soon by the body of evidence presented at the Fifth District Court and that Judge José Armando Wong Aceituno will have no choice but to release Mireles.

“The judge will send them (Vallejo, Castillo and Godoy) a questionnaire to see if they deign to answer it, but this case is already won for Dr. Mireles to regain his freedom, because the causes are the same as those of Cemeí Verdía, for which he was granted his freedom.”

Meanwhile, the founder of the autodefensas of La Ruana, Hipólito Mora Chávez, said in an interview to the media that he presented himself to testify and said why the autodefensas arose and also how the government used them as “cannon fodder” sending them to clean Michoacán of organized crime.

Mireles supporters call for his release in Mexico City

Video of Sinaloa vs CAF shootout in Tijuana

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Zetatijuana article.

Full article from Zetatijuana to follow shortly


Members of the old guard of the CAF identified by their capture and subsequent liberation, they are falling dead and injured, in the middle of a territorial struggle initiated by the new Arellanos and the Sinaloa Cartel headed by Alfonso Arzarte "El Aquilies", in the crosshairs, the members of the former black command. Authorities attribute the violence to the arrival of "El Piloto" son of Ramon Arellano Felix who has been identified in the Cartel.




With 16 assassinations and four armed attacks with wounded, the territorial fight between cartels and another between drug traffickers in the Colonias, they continue drenching the streets of Tijuana in blood.

The State Counsel for Security in Baja California intelligence unit say the attack on an ex ministerial policeman in "El Yonke Shaggy" in Tijuana this week, is another of the crimes attributable to Alfonso Arzate "El Aquiles", to empower themselves and prevent the rearrangement of the Cartel Arellano Felix.

El Moreno captured, head of a cell of sicarios for CDS

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Zetatijuana article

[ Subject Matter: Hugo Carlos Escobar Godoy
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

Left to right: Jonathan Ontieveros "El Perro", El Moreno, and Erick Lopez Camacho "El Nono"

Reporter: Zeta Redaction
The Sinaloan Hugo Carlos Escobar Godoy, was detained the morning of 30th of November by elements of the State Preventative Police in Tijuana, this alleged criminal has existing arrest warrants. He is considered by the Authorities of Baja California as one of the most wanted killers since December of 2014.

According to preliminary reports given in a press conference this Monday, when the State Agents apprehended him, he recalled participating in dozens of killings over the last 2 years.

In the same operation captured Jonathan Ontiveros "El Perro", who had an existing arrest warrant for qualified homicide, and Erick Lopez Camacho "El Nono", with past convictions for drug dealing and who was in possession of drugs when arrested.

Sinaloa: 2 bodies discovered in torched van may be missing Australian surfers

Lucio R. Borderland Beat

Click on this or any image to enlarge

Lucas and Cox

On November 21, there was a report in local media that at around 10:30am In the vicinity of Juan Aldama (El Tigre) Navolato, around 10:30 am, a van was discovered torched to complete destruction and inside were two deceased persons.  

At the time other than the vehicle being a Chevrolet step up van without license plates, officials said it was unknown how the event occurred or the identification of the victims.

Inside the van was found a grill and canned food, speculation and rumor replaced solid facts and information. It wasn’t until five days later that Mexican authorities pooled facts together and concluded the victims found in the van were most likely Australian natives, Canadian residents Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, both 33, travelling in Mexico on a surfing trip and to visit friends.

Last heard from the day before the discovery

On the day prior two Edmonton Canada residents who went on a road trip to Mexico to surf and visit friends were last heard from and now are feared missing or worse after family lost contact with them for over a week now.

Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, both Australian nationals who have lived in Edmonton during the summer construction season for the past several years,  left for Mexico in a 1992 Chevrolet van on Sept. 28 from Alberta.

“They’re incredibly keen surfers, very talented surfers. They love finding waves all around the world … I know they’ll be trying to find random waves. But I don’t think that’s what they were doing,” said Lucas’s girlfriend Josie Cox, from Edmonton, on Saturday. “I think they were trying to make their way to Guadalajara, like they planned.” Cox was meeting Lucas in Guadalajara.

Coleman and Gomez

 Both men are experienced travelers who have been to Mexico multiple times and speak Spanish.

The men remained in contact with their friends in Edmonton via text, email, and Facebook as they travelled through the United States and into Mexico. But Cox says the last day she heard from Lucas was Nov. 20, the day of their three-year-anniversary, and the day before the Chevi Van was found with the two bodies in Sinaloa.

Ex Police from Jalisco killing Municipals in Tijuana

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Zetatijuana article

[ Subject Matter: CJNG in Tijuana
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

Reporter: Zeta Redaction and Cortesia
Jorge Javier Castro Valle and Cesar Josue Castro Aguayo, members of the CJNG and ex policeman from Jalisco, were detained for being allegedly responsible for the homicide of Municipal Policeman Victor Manuel Inzunza Luna, on the night of 27th of November in Tijuana.

Cesar Josue Castro Aguayo, alias "El Percheron", 23 years of age and sub commander of the Municipal Police of Guadalajara, Jalisco, declared that the homicide was ordered by a criminal nicknamed "El Sapo".

Castro Aguayo was identified as an active member of the CJNG. For the past year, he has been hiding in Tijuana and his function was to buy arms in the United States to send them to Guadalajara, Jalisco.

Shootouts In Tamaulipas Leave 7 Dead

Translated by Valor for Borderland Beat

Shootouts between the police and alleged criminals, occurring both Thursday and Friday in Río Bravo, Tamaulipas, left seven dead.

First, on Thursday, the Coordination Group of Tamaulipas (GCT) reported that: state police belonging to the Fuerza Tamaulipas (Tamaulipas Force) were attacked on two occasions by members of a criminal group, leaving two dead in the line of duty, while a policewoman was injured, along with an innocent bystander.

In the first attack, which occurred shortly after 19:00 hours in Independencia street located at the center of the border municipality, two unidentified gunmen who were driving in a sports car were killed.

During this attack, state policeman Ramón Zúñiga died, while a policewoman was injured by a gunshot.  Her condition was reported as stable and out of danger.

During the second attack, the state police were searching for the assailants, who were also attacked by armed gunmen at the crossing of the streets Independencia and Galeana, leaving Officer José Dionisio Bañuelos Chavira dead while an innocent bystander was injured.

The attackers, who were traveling in several vehicles, created blockades in some parts of the city in order to evade federal forces who were sent in to support the forces of the Fuerza Tamaulipas.  The assailants escaped taking exit roads to Reynosa, Río Bravo and Valle Hermoso.

The blockades were subsequently removed by the military and federal authorities, which secured three rifles, two pistols, magazines, cartridges, and a car.

Meanwhile on Friday, the group reported on three more deaths in the municipality of Río Bravo:

Oaxaca-Veracruz: 8 bodies found slashed to death in ongoing Ver turf war

Lucio R. Borderland Beat

The bodies of eight men, with either throats slashed or having been beheaded, were discovered in El Ejido Colonia Morelos, of the municipality Cosolapa, Oaxaca, on the border of Oaxaca and Veracruz.

The victims were bound foot and hand with duct tape, blindfolded and were left in and around a gray SUV with Federal District license plates.  There were no gunshot impacts on the bodies, indications are they were hacked to death at the bloody scene.  All the men were clad  only in underwear when found.

A narco cartulina was left at the scene, which reads;  

This is what will happen to those who work with “El Chiquis”

El Chiquis is  known as the name of the plaza chief of Cordoba, Orizaba and Tezonapa  Veracruz.

Some reports say it was a message to Los Zetas.

The vicinity of the discovery has become known as a preferred dumping ground for bodies in recent weeks, it is suspected that the killings transpire on the Veracruz side of the border, where there has been an uptick in cartel violence in recent months in a Veracruz turf war. 

In twenty seven days in November there were a total of 41 bodies reported dumped in the area.

Farm workers made the discovery, "Peasants who were to work in the vicinity of the hamlet Morelos (municipality) in Cosolapa, found the bodies and notified us ," reported the deputy commander of the state police.

                                 Warning extremely graphic photos on following page

The grievance of "Don Neto"

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Zetatijuana article

[ Subject Matter: Ernesto Rafael Fonseca Carrillos
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

The Federal Judge who granted the degree of confinement to the legendary drug trafficker, requested new tests to be carried out to make sure that the home that will house Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo did not facilitate his evasion from justice. Carrillo thinks that his rights have been violent to prolong his imprisonment in an "unjustified" form. The defence team of the capo claims there is talk of Police or Army monitoring devices to oversee his client, while the Law signals that he will remain at the disposition of the authorities of Social Reinsertion.

Ernesto Raphael Fonseca Carrillo "Don Neto"

Reporter: Zeta investigations
They told him yes, but they haven't told him when. The narco trafficker Ernesto Raphael Fonseca Carrillo continues observing the passing of days, of the months and the years of a maximum security prison in Jalisco. This past April they considered the media of confinement, in substitution for the shame of prison, but the capo remains in prison.

Time passes and "Don Neto" Fonesca loses hope. His defense team have pointed out a home to continue the sentences that were imposed upon him, also they have been asked to conduct tests to prove that the proposed place complies with the requirements of the Law.

Archive: Interview with Juan Nepomuceno Guerra Cárdenas

Lucio R. Borderland Beat posted on forum by Bjeff

Juan N. at far left

Note from Lucio:  Juan Nepomuceno Guerra Cárdenas, born and died in Matamoros, Tamaulipas (July 18, 1915 – July 12, 2001) was the founder of the gulf cartel (Cartel del Golfo).  The “original capo” with only a sixth grade education,  headed a 20 billion dollar a year cocaine trafficking business.  He began his career of criminality in the 1930’s, trafficking alcohol into the U.S. during the prohibition era.

During his longevity, having lived until the age of 85, he only spent a few hours incarcerated. 

Last June Tamaulipas governor Egidio Torre Cantú, cut the ribbon at the dedication of a street in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, named in honor of the man who made criminality his life, Juan N. There is a PR video of the ceremony, but the street name is not included and neither a photo of the street sign.

In the lead up to the ceremony, none of the press reported that the name of the street was “Juan N. Guerra” in honor of Juan Nepomuceno Guerra Cárdenas. 

June 2015, street dedication to honor Juan N. Tamps Governor getting hug, mayor at left

By Dane Schiller

A slump-shouldered 80-year-old Juan N. Guerra seems a lifetime away from the Stetson-wearing towering man forever forged into the lore of Mexico's underworld. Guerra's name has been whispered by at least three generations. He was legendary long before his promising younger cousin, Juanito, climbed to the top of what authorities contend is a $20-billion-a-year cocaine empire.

Tixtla: Four Community Policemen Dead

Translated by Valor for Borderland Beat

Armed men ambushed and assassinated four Community Police members of the House of Justice “La Patria es Primero” (“The Motherland Comes First”) of the Regional Coordinator of Community Authorities (CRAC) in the neighborhood El Fortín, located in Tixtla, when they were patrolling the city.

According to El Sur, the assailants fled in ten trucks.

Members of the Community Police reported that at 2:20 pm on Thursday, they received an anonymous phone call warning them about the presence of armed men.

Six Community Police members went to the site on board a truck; they came out of the truck and searched the area to look for the armed men.

Later, the attackers caught up with the Community Police and attacked them with AK-47’s, killing four of them.  The other two members were not injured in the attack.

The bodies were covered with sheets and mats and were removed by villagers and taken to the House of Justice “La Patria es Primero” in the neighborhood El Fortín.

Forensic experts and public prosecutors based in Tixtla arrived at the scene, conducting relevant proceedings.

CNDH: Federal forces responsible for extrajudicial killings in Apatzingán

Lucio R. Borderland Beat material from CNDH

The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) found  extrajudicial executions at the hands of the Federal Police in the events of January 6 in Apatzingán, Michoacán.   This was announced by the Ombudsman Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez  when submitting recommendation 3VG / 2015 for serious human rights violations in the case, which is directed to the Department of Defense, the National Security Commission, the government of Michoacán and the City Hall of Apatzingán.  

Excessive use of force by elements was found, which also caused the death of  ten people. 

Between 2:30 and 7:40 pm on January 6,  44 federal police and 287 military conducted an operation against elements of the autodefensas (self-defense) .  In that event, one person was killed in the parking lot of City Hall of Apatzingán.  In the second event, which occurred between 7:41 and 11:31 hours, nine people were killed.

Four of those killed in a black truck had 27, 7, 7 and 8 bullets, respectively.

"The deceased were not in possession of firearms therefore posed no threat to life or physical integrity of the Federal Police or anyone else, "says the report.  

Warning:  Graphic photo on following page

Zeta Leader for Poza Rica and Orizaba arrested

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Proceso article

[ Subject Matter: Alejandro Castro
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

Alejandro Castra Alfonso, alleged zeta leader in Poza Rica and Orizaba, Veracruz

Reporter: Patricia Davila
Federal forces detained Alejandro Castro Alfonso, alleged leader of the Zetas in Poza Rica and Orizaba, Veracruz, he is one of the 122 priorities of the actual Government, informed Renato Sales Heredia, National Commissioner for Security.

Castro Alonso, who also goes under the name Pascual Sandoval Oritz, is related to a criminal group dedicated to drug trafficking, robbery and the theft and sale of hydrocarbons, as well as extortion and kidnapping.

Coastal Municipalities Lay Out Conditions for Signing the Mando Unificado

By: Rodrigo Caballero | Translated by Valor for Borderland Beat

Aquila, Michoacán— Before signing the so-called Mando Unificado (Unified Command), the municipalities of Chinicuila, Coahuayana and Aquila laid out some conditions in a cooperative agreement between the communities of the coastal sierra region of Michoacán.

Some of these conditions include the cancellation of arrest warrants against Héctor Zepeda Navarrete, Germán Ramírez Sánchez, Fredy Cruz Martínez and Evanivaldo Arceo Rojas who are currently members of the Community Police Force and Fuerza Rural in the area.

The agreement includes seven points including the freedom of José Manuel Mireles Valverde, Cemeí Verdía Zepeda and Agustín Villanueva Ramírez, as well as over the 300 autodefensa members who are regarded as political prisoners.

Furthermore, it appeals that Article 115 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States to be respected since it states that each municipality is responsible for its own safety, which they believe that the Mando Unificado would violate their sovereignty.

San Diego: 14 year old girl killed, friend kidnapped may be in Tijuana

14 year old girl murdered in San Diego neighborhood 

The body of Anna Hernandez, 14, was found wrapped in a blanket by police, her body decomposing, behind the apartment complex off 29th and Market, on November 18th.   It is a familiar scene in Tijuana, a body with visible trauma, wrapped grotesquely lovingly in a blanket.....This time played out with even more indescribable brutality, as the body concealed within the blanket is only a child. And now another is missing, as posters are passed out in Tijuana, and authorities and families remain silent for now...

Anna Hernandez attended San Diego High School, a few blocks from downtown San Diego, and lived in the Grant Hill Neighborhood, adjacent to Memorial Park.  She went missing on November 13th, with her friend Nelly Espinosa, who lived a few blocks from where Ana's body was discovered. Nelly was two years younger then Ana. Police have not named any suspects, or confirmed that Nelly was kidnapped, or that the two incidents are related. Authorities confirm Anna Hernandez was beaten and shot, possibly more then once before she died. 

A High Tech High student, where Anna attended school before a recent transfer stated that Anna had recently fallen in with a bad crowd, but that she was a sweet girl.  It's a vague statement, that may not mean anything.  Even in a gang neighborhood, it's hard to imagine, that a mere bad crowd could end in a badly beaten decomposing body, of a child.  

In Tijuana, the body wrapped in a blanket is known as encoibjado, and the ways bodies are left to be discovered can have some significance at times, though the constant bloodshed and frenzied killings have lost some of their meaning in the constant flow of blood and tears.  In non drug related crimes, it usually indicates the perpetrator had some kind of concern for the victim, and knew them or even loved them.  This is seen in child killings and sexual abuse cases frequently, and can often indicate a loved one, or someone close is responsible.  It is a crime, and act of intimacy.

It isn't too much to assume that the killing likely wasn't done in the lot behind the apartment complex, and Ana's body was merely left there, to be discovered, though she was possibly killed very shortly after she went missing on the 13th.  To beat a 14 year old, and then shoot her would require a private or more private area, very likely extremely close to where they were possibly abducted from. Another apartment, abandoned building, possibly a site where homeless or teenagers drink or smoke.  This may indicate that the UNSUB (Unidentified Subject) is familiar with the area, and perhaps the victims themselves.  

Theories are likely to sweep the neighborhood and the school she attended, with not a lot to go on, I would venture this is a person close to the girls, someone who lived in the neighborhood, and may have had another motive besides sexual assault or murdering Anna, a grudge against another family member, or a custody issue.  Domestic, or close would be my first thought abuse or otherwise, and not retaliation for unpaid drug debts, and to be clear there is NO evidence of criminal elements in the families, as of now.  

It's a gruesome and wrenching parallel of the two sister cities, San Diego and Tijuana, a heart breaking and brutal story, that renders me cold and hopeless, devastated....

Sources: NBCSan Diego, 10news San Diego 

Tijuana: 'El Chichi' de Los Erres detained

Los Erres leaders arrested 

Less then two weeks after the arrest of Issac Chavez Alhiu Cabera, 'El Puma', second in command of Los Erres/Los Pelones a distribution/trafficking and enforcement cell, the third in command in Tijuana has been detained.  Mario Alberto 'El Chichi' Gonzalez was detained by the PEP in Zona Centro on Sunday in Tijuana, Chichi had a warrant against him for crimes against health.  Chichi is accused of executions related to drug distribution of rivals, and kidnapping.  

Authorities allege he was responsible for the distribution of crystal in colonias in Tijuana, including Zona Norte and Zona Centro, highly contested territory in recent months, between groups of Aquiles, El Gross, the remaining family and cell of 'El Mono'.  Los Pelones/Los Erres were birthed in the Teo and Inge days of 2008, and originally trafficked in Mexicali, after many were arrested and imprisoned for various organized crime offenses, the group fell from power.  

Their benefactor and alleged director, Jose Soto Gastelum 'El Tigre', an upper level Sinaloa cell leader in the area, is said to have gotten many of them released, in 2013 through bribes and lawyers, to reunite the cell, under the Los Erres banner.  Their leader was killed in Mexicali in 2013, Adrian Beltran Cabera, R-4, and assuming command was his younger brother Javier Beltran Cabera, El Javi, and the already arrested 'El Puma'. 

'El Puma' is said to have been responsible for the attempted murder of Jhared Carlos Rodriguez, in a popular Tijuana restaurant in June 2014.  The PEP claims they have mostly dismantled Los Erres, only their leader, and his boss remain free.  El Tigre is also accused of having in his group a man whom Border Patrol officials claim threw a rock at an agent, with intent to kill or harm, while being pursued, leading immigrants across the border.  

Tigre, after being placed on the DEA's most wanted list 2 years ago, has evaded the kind of press and indictments that have ensnared Aquiles, and his brother, who both face federal trafficking charges in San Diego County, and are said to be under pressure in Tijuana, to maintain control of their operations.  Aquiles and La Rana continue to direct their people in the bloody struggle for control of the retail market, their newest rival is Arturo Herrera, "El Gross', a former Aquiles loyalist, who is said to have switched teams, and is now working with CJNG, though this is unconfirmed. 

As one group may fall from power, another rises, complicating the already blurry and bloody Tijuana plaza.  

Sources: AFN Tijuana 

In Baja California they protect criminals

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Zetatijuana article

[ Subject Matter: Cartel Arrellano Felix, Sinaloa Cartel
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

Arrests and recent homicides suggest a wave of attacks on the economic and operational structure of the Cartel Arrellano Felix on the part of  Sinaloan traffickers. State Police operatives are used to arrest an element of the CAF. while the intelligence section attack "El Tigre", head of the Sinaloa Cartel in this region.

Reporter: Zeta Investigations
Jorge Ernesto Penuelas Parra, a criminal in the service of the Cartel Arrellano Felix (CAF), was a fugitive from justice. Against him the State Public Ministry solicited and obtained orders of apprehension for homicide and kidnapping that date back to 2010.

The Ministerial investigators and the information from intelligence sources, allege that he is one of the men carrying out criminal activities at the side of Juan Sillas Rocha ( captured during November of 2011) during the internal war in the CAF against the criminals in the service of Eduardo Garcia Simental "El Teo" (2008 - 2011).

DEA-DOJ Drug Threat Assessment 2015

Lucio R. Borderland Beat material from Threat Assessment Report

Map of Mexican Cartels areas of influence or conflict-Click any image to enlarge

DEA and the  Department of Justice, released its 2015 National Drug Threat Assessment, see below embedded in its entirety (148 pages).

In its report, the NDTAS states that Baja California and its border continues to traffic the most drugs coming into and being transported throughout the U.S. and by the Sinaloa Cartel (CDS) led by Joaquin "El Chapo” Guzman. 

On the Pacific Coast, up through the northwest with nexus into Canada, heroin and meth make up the greatest drug threat.

Listed in the report are cartels of Mexico, Colombia, Dominican and Asia, with a listing of drugs of abuse.  This extensive report addresses most  areas of interest pertaining to cartel activity in the U.S.

Interesting read;  is the trafficking activities plus U.S. locations of activity and operational structure of cartels. (other than Mexican cartels).  Beginning  on page 4 of the report.

Cities Highlighted (Pages 3-4):

Mexican TCOs pose the greatest criminal drug threat to the United States; no other group is currently positioned to challenge them. These Mexican poly-drug organizations traffic heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana throughout the United States, using established transportation routes and distribution networks. They control drug trafficking across the Southwest Border and are moving to expand their presence in the United States, particularly in heroin markets.

• Boston, Massachusetts: Many of the local distribution groups are increasingly dealing with and receiving cocaine directly from Mexican organizations based in states such as Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.

• Chicago, Illinois: Mexican TCOs pose the most significant threat. During 2014, Mexican organizations continued to dominate the wholesale distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, Mexico-produced marijuana, and heroin (both Mexican black tar and South American heroin) in Chicago.

Mexico approves the extradition of El Mayito Zambada to the United States

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Zetatijuana article

[ Subject Matter: El Mayito Zambada
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

Reporter: Ines Garcia Ramos
The extradition of Ismael Zambada Imperial, son of the narco trafficker from the Sinaloa Cartel, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, to the United States was conceded by the Secretary of Exterior Relations of Mexico.

A Judge of the Sixth District in Federal Penal Processes, with base in Reclusio Oriente, moved the extradition to the United States of Zambada Imperial, the country where he will find his brothers Vincente Zambada and Serafin Zambada, also on narco trafficking charges.

However the legal team of "El Mayito Gordo", as he is identified in District Court of Southern California, promoted an amparo against the motion, to get a provisional suspension of the order submitted by the Government of the United States.

Federals and Communities agree vigiliance plan in the mountains of Guerrero

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Milenio article and extra picture from BB archive

[ Subject Matter: Security in the mountains of Guerrero
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

They decided to leave action to the personnel of the 35th Military Zone. Thousands of inhabitants of the region urge the return of peace to the affected communities.

Reporter: Rogelio Agustin
Guerrero, after 12 days of increasing violence in the mountains of Guerrero, the State Government announced they put into action a vigilance operation in five places of major confrontations.

Participating in the actions were; personnel of the Marines, Federal Police, State Police and Ministerial investigators.

I don't know if that includes personnel from the 35th Military Zone, with the 49 commissaries of the area anticipate that the Community Police of the Union of Villages and  Organizations of the State of Guerrero (Upoeg) will maintain coordination and support.

Hipólito Mora Sentenced To Prison

Translated by Valor for Borderland Beat

The Second Criminal Court, based in Apatzingán, sentenced Hipólito Mora Chávez to one year in prison and fined him more than 6,000 pesos.

According to the Michoacán Trial Court, Mora is charged with the deprivation of liberty of a person identified in court only with the initials of C.A.M.S.

In a report card of the Superior Court of Michoacán, it explained that the common law courtroom found sufficient elements to fully prove the accountability of Mora Chávez.

It noted that the ruling issued against Mora Chávez also includes the suspension of political rights.

The disappearance of the victim, as it was revealed, would have occurred in February 2014 in the municipality of Yurécuaro.

It should be mentioned that Hipólito Mora is currently free on bond for the criminal proceeding 210/2014, in which he is accused of the offence of deprivation of liberty.

Tijuana: 'El Viejon' left in black bags by Aquiles

'El Viejon' hit by Aquiles

Another body left in the wake of the turmoil and betrayed alliances and shifting narco politics, leaving bodies in the street, bagged up, burned, scorched, bound and gagged  strewn across the hard concrete, emblazoned with 9mm shells and dried blood....

The body found last Friday apparently has been identified as a member of CAF, the ghosts of another decade where the famed Arellano brothers ran the plaza, a different life, a different time.  Jose Lorenzo Hernandez Garcia, known as 'El Viejon' was a confidante of Melvin Quiroz Qutierrez, "El Melvin', a Logan Heights soldier who ascended the ranks of the Arellano Felix, and serving as the strong hand of Fernando Sanchez Arellano, until his arrest in early 2013.  

'El Viejon' has a very familiar story in CAF, he was assumedly from Logan Heights or another San Diego area neighborhood, as he began with David Barron Carona, 'El CH', infamous gunner of Ramon Arellano Felix, who recruited his friends from prison and the streets to help the Arellano brothers enforce their rule in Tijuana. 

 'El Melvin' was also in this group of elder CAF members, as well as his brother Benjamen 'El Kecho' Quiroz, and Marcos Antonio Paredes Quiones, 'El Pato'.  Kecho was murdered earlier this year, at an OXXO, groups linked to Aquiles, later arrested, confessed to that killing.  Kecho was a target in the power struggles and eradications that have escalated the death toll in Tijuana to over 500, in the year. 

'El Viejon' was said to have assumed control of the Fernando Sanchez, El Inge faction, after the blood heirs arrest in June 2014.  Authorities say they have confirmed Viejon's identity through tattoos. This latest death continues the feuds, wars, and cleanings that have left many bodies in it's wake, torn up from high impact shells, brains blown out at taco stands, gunned down in front of their homes, women and children shot and injured by random gunfire and direct hits from depraved gunmen, high on the invincibility of crystal meth and a hopeless life of madness and killing.  

Sources: AFN Tijuana 

Second in command of CJNG captured

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Proceso article

[ Subject Matter: Ivan Cazarin Molina
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

Reporter: Milenio Digital
Ivan Cazarin Molina or Victor Hugo Delgado Renteria, identified as second in command of the CJNG, was detained this morning during an surprise operation in this State, informed the Commissioner General of the Federal Police, the second in command of CJNG was allegedly involved in the attack on the military helicopter this past May 1st.

Also the supreme court of justice of the nation, denied an amparo of the narco trafficker Rafael Caro Quintero, who sought to invalidate the 40 year prison sentence given to him for the assassination of Enrique Camarena Salazar, a DEA agent in 1985.

Joey Heard, Mayor of Refugio Texas arrested for narcotics trafficking

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Proceso article

[ Subject Matter: Joey Heard Mayor of Refugio
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

Reporter: Proceso Redaction
McAllen, Texas. Joey Heard, Mayor of the city of Refugio, Texas, was detained this week passed accused of drug trafficking, informed local authorities.

The Sheriff of Refugio, Robert Blocik, detailed that the politician was captured this Friday for possession of drugs and illegal possession of a prohibited substance.

Heard, who was re-elected as Mayor in May for this community in the south of the Lone Star State, was freed on Saturday after posting up 29,000 dollars in bail, so he may fight the case from liberty and not from jail.

El Chapo was in Venezuela, according to "El Nacional"

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Proceso article and image from Google

[ Subject Matter: El Chapo Guzman
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

Reporter: Proceso Redaction
Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman went to Venezuela at the end of September past in a bi-motor airplane, informed the newspaper "El Nacional" on Monday.

In its Internet site, the Venezuelan newspaper detailed that reports from anti-drugs intelligence agencies revealed that the a subject with characteristics similar to the leader of the Pacific Cartel had a brief stop in the region of the Colombian frontier, presumably proceeding to Honduras, that landed at a clandestine airstrip in the south of Apure, in Los Linderos at a place called Pesurca.

Mexico hunting down Chapo? "It's lies, pure politics" says sources

Lucio R. Borderland Beat republished from Telesur

Note: Did anyone at BB believe the near misses of a Chapo capture?

The monkey story was so absurd, that not one of us contributors at BB could in good conscience post the story.  Mexican officials claimed they almost nabbed the capo, when his twin daughters begged him to save their ailing pet monkey, “Boots”.  Frustratingly, U.S. and European press, slurped it up and ran with the story.  

The bigger focus should be those innocents, harmed, shot upon, and driven from their homes. Over 100 injured, 700 displaced. Why?.... For theater…-Lucio-

From Telesur

Two solid sources, very close to powerful Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, told teleSUR late Sunday that the Sinaloa cartel leader has not been injured and was by no means nearly arrested, agreeing that the Mexican government is “lying,” possibly to convince the U.S. it is doing all it can to recapture him.

“It's all lies. It's pure politics,” said Antonio Lopez Salcido, a relative of deceased infamous drug trafficker Manuel “Cochiloco” Salcido Uzeta. “El Chapo has a huge personal army of more than 300 gunmen prepared to defend him and he also enjoys full protection and fluid information from federal authorities.”

Lopez made it clear to teleSUR that he wanted his real name left out of this story, “not because I fear El Chapo, but rather the government. They really get pissed when we expose them.”

He also said he had no problem explaining the truth regarding the government versions that special forces nearly arrested El Chapo early in October after being spotted on foot.

Sinaloa Cartel: Cesar Gastelum Serrano extradited to the U.S.

Lucio R. Borderland Beat from PGR, AP and The U.S. Department of Treasury

Mexico says it's extradited two drug trafficking suspects to the United States, one of them believed to be a major cocaine distributor for the Sinaloa Cartel.

Sunday's statement by the Attorney General's Office identifies them as Cesar Gastelum Serrano and Pedro Alejandro Rubio Perez.

Gastelum Serrano was arrested in April in the resort of Cancun. The U.S. Treasury Department placed him on its drug kingpin list in December, calling him "one of the most prolific cocaine suppliers for Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel."

The department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said he headed "a vast criminal network to lead a cocaine trafficking organization capable of moving tons of cocaine per week through Honduras and Guatemala to Mexico."

Rubio Perez was arrested in 2013 on drug and organized crime charges. (left in photo below)

Human trafficking survivor: I was raped 43,200 times

Borderland Beat posted by DD republished from CNN

Story Highlights;

 Karla Jacinto was lured from poverty in Mexico by a man who befriended her with sweets and a story

• She spent four years being forced to have sex 30 times a day
• She has told her story to the U.S. Congress to get changes in the law, and to the pope
• She says: "You need to learn about what happened to me and take the blindfold off your eyes"

 DD:  Human sex trafficking and forced prostitution is huge industry and probably the most neglected and under reported by the media and and as result has the less public awareness of all major crimes.   It is believed by some law enforcement and human rights groups that it has surpassed the income produced by drugs for some of the smaller cartels in Mexico.  Borderland Beat has reported on this horrendous crime since our beginning.  There are too many of those stories to list them all here, but by using the search button on both the Main Page and the Forum page and typing "human sex trafficking" you will find them.  One of them in particular from 2012 will show you the enormity of this human rights issue.   In that story a Congresswoman is giving a report to the Mexican lower house of Congress in the fight to pass stronger laws in Mexico concerning this crime.  She is shown presenting a report prepared by a respected NGO that shows there are at least 800,000 sex trafficking cases in Mexico each year.

Narco Manta from El Toro "Proves" CDG has infiltrated armed forces

Lucio R, Borderland Beat-material from forum Ed Oak and Bjeff,  Menytimes, VXT BB archive

A narco manta (message on banner) was hung yesterday addressed to:

President Enrique Peña Nieto, Tamaulipas Governor Egidio Torre and Mayor of Reynosa,  Pepe Elias. The message blames federal and state authorities specifically SEDENA, as being responsible for a crash that killed 4 civilians including an infant.

Late Tuesday night in downtown Reynosa, an armored Military vehicle was involved in a shootout/chase involving a Chevy Cheyenne.  According to Valor por Tamaulipas, during the pursuit - going against traffic (sentido contrario) - another pickup truck slammed into the military vehicle on a curve in the street, causing it to careen off the street into a taco stand, killing four civilians, including a four month old baby.

Wife of El Chapo files for protection against search and arrest

Lucio R. for Borderland Beat

According to Proceso, after the raids last October to family properties in Sinaloa and Durango, Emma Coronel Aispuro, the current “wife” Joaquin El Chapo Guzman -legally he is still married to wife no.1,  Alejandrina María Salazar Hernández and never legally married the others-, filed two amparos in Toluca federal court to protect her against arrest, and brought before the Attorney General's Office (PGR).

An amparo is a legal action or an appeal, which protects the constitutional rights of citizen.

The Tijuana Zeta weekly magazine, reported that Coronel asked for the protection against, search and arrest. Coronel was born in California but lived  her childhood in Canelas, Durango, she gave birth to twin daughters in southern California in 2011.

At the time of Chapo’s arrest in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, in February 22, 2014, Coronel, a nanny and his twins were with him.  Although Coronel was taken in to custody, and the nanny, at the time of the arrest, they were processed-mugs and fingerprints- but were allowed to go free without charges. See her mugshot at left, looking little like the beauty queen photos that have flooded the media over the years.  It appears she has followed the trend of females in Sinaloa by having her share of plastic surgery.

The mugshot was given by PGR, to 60 minutes, who says it is Chapo's wife,  it was supposedly taken by PGR.  At bottom is a mugshot of the twin’s nanny who was also taken into custody.

Mexico puts the brakes on the U.S. extradition of Zetas founder“El Hummer”

Lucio R. Borderland Beat translated and republished from Univision

A federal judge in Mexico halted the extradition to the United States of Jaime Gonzalez Duran, alias "El Hummer", founder and a leader of operations of the criminal group Los Zetas, to grant him a permanent indictment suspension, in order for him to file an appeal, as requested by the defense.

This comes despite the fact that the Mexican Foreign Ministry had already agreed to send to the US where he is sought on charges of drug trafficking.

In March 2015, Gonzalez Duran was sentenced by a judge in Tamaulipas to a sentence of 35 years in prison finding him responsible for the kidnapping and killing of four members of the Mexican Federal Investigation Agency, which operated in the state of Nuevo Leon.

Mexican Army and American Federal Agents discover narco tunnel in Nogales

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Proceso article with additional information from El Diario de Sonora and images from Google Maps

[ Subject Matter: Narco Tunnel discovery in Nogales, Sonora
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required]

Border Patrol Agents at La Garita Dennis De Concini 

Reporter: Milton Martinez
Agents of the Arizona Frontier Patrol travelled 30 metres into Mexico following a narco tunnel that crosses under the Garita Dennis DeConcini.

According to preliminary investigations, the origin of the passage is to one side of the railroad tracks and goes about 5 meters below this, heads 30 meters to the west and crosses into the US just down line of a quick entry lane ( Otis: I have roughly located the tunnel location, and from the description, they tunneled right under a Border Control building lol).

Red line is location of tunnel, click on image to enlarge. Look at the name of the building the tunnel goes under