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POLICE DISCOVER ANOTHER 15 MURDER VICTIMS IN MEXICO

Jim Kouri — Sat, 12 May 2012 06:52:00 EST

Mexican police discovered the dismembered bodies of at least 15 victims in two separate vehicles that were abandoned Thursday on a state highway in Jalisco, Mexico, according to a Law Enforcement Examiner source within the U.S. narcotics enforcement community.

According to the source, police acting on a tip from an informant found the bodies in two abandoned vans parked alongside a motel on the highway to Chapala, a popular weekend retreat only a few miles from the state capital of Guadalajara.

Mexican officials said they also found a note signed by an organized crime group called the Zetas.

The bodies were immediately taken to Jalisco's Institute of Forensic Science in Guadalajara for autopsies and forensic examinations.

TREASURY TARGETS LEADING FIGURES OF SINALOA CARTEL

No Author — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:44:00 EST

The U.S. Department of the Treasury�s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Tuesday announced the designation of four key Sinaloa Cartel operatives, including two sons of Sinaloa drug lord Joaquin �Chapo� Guzman Loera. Tuesday�s action, pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act), prohibits U.S. persons from conducting financial or commercial transactions with these four individuals, and also freezes any assets they may have under U.S. jurisdiction.

This action would not have been possible without the support of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). �In order to put organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel out of business, we must continue to utilize every tool available to ensure that these criminal groups and their associates cannot exploit the U.S. financial system,� said DEA Chief of Financial Operations John Arvanitis. �DEA is attacking the Sinaloa Cartel and other organizations at every level like never before, so they are put out of business and their leaders are brought to justice.�

MEXICO BLASTS U.S. FOR NOT PROSECUTING BORDER AGENT WHO KILLED ILLEGAL ALIEN

Jim Kouri — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:24:00 EST

Mexican government officials blasted the U.S. government for 'failing to prosecute a Border Patrol agent' who admitted he shot an illegal alien at the U.S.-Mexican border nearly two years ago. An investigation revealed that the agent was being assaulted with rocks thrown by a gang of Mexicans, according to a legal watchdog group based in the nation's capital.

The controversial shooting incident occurred in the summer of 2010 when the federal agent, Jesus Mesa, spotted a group of Mexicans crossing the Rio Grande near El Paso. U.S. authorities say Mesa fatally shot a teen (Sergio Hernández-Guereca) traveling with the group in self-defense after the teen and his friends threw rocks at the agent, according to Judicial Watch.

Last year a Texas judge dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government but allowed a lawsuit against the agent to proceed.

MEXICAN REPORTERS' MUTILATED BODIES DISCOVERED IN VERA CRUZ

Jim Kouri — Fri, 04 May 2012 06:47:00 EST

The dismembered remains of two Mexican photojournalists were discovered in Vera Cruz in Eastern Mexico by federal police (Federales) yesterday, making the total of news people murdered in that nation in the last ten years 70 men and women, according to a U.S. law enforcement official assigned to liaison duty in that war-torn nation.

The mutilated bodies of Guillermo Luna and Gabriel Huge were found in pieces inside plastic garbage bags and dumped in a canal in the Vera Cruz town of Boca del Rio, the law enforcement official -- who requires anonymity -- told the Law Enforcement Examiner.

Police officers and crime scene technicians also discovered another two corpses that were dumped in the same canal, but they haven't as yet been identified.

The Calderon administration said in a statement that the killings bore the hallmarks of Mexico's drug cartels, and federal investigators are pursuing the case instead of local police.

CBP IN LOS ANGELES SEIZES $40 MILLION IN METH CHEMICALS BOUND FOR MEXICO

No Author — Thu, 03 May 2012 06:20:00 EST

CBP Officers at LAX seized 5,700 Pounds of Methamphetamine Precursor

LOS ANGELES, CA � U.S. Customs and Border Protection�s (CBP) aggressive enforcement posture against Mexican drug trafficking organizations continue bringing record-breaking drugs seizures beyond the land border, at U.S. airports and seaports.

CBP officers at an air cargo consignment facility of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) seized two shipments of 80 bags, containing 5,700 pounds of methylamine chloride, a known chemical that is used as a precursor to methamphetamine. If used to make methamphetamine, the street value of this seizure is $40 million.

The shipments arrived from China on April 19 and 23, with a final destination in central Mexico. Samples of the white powdery chemical were positively identified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as methylamine chloride, a List 1 controlled substance.

CRIMINAL ALIENS: OBAMA WEAKENS SECURE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, SAYS GOP

Jim Kouri — Tue, 01 May 2012 06:50:00 EST

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday implemented several changes to weaken their Secure Communities Program, an initiative that keeps American neighborhoods safe by identifying illegal and criminal immigrants in police custody who have been arrested and fingerprinted, according to House GOP lawmakers.

Among these changes, ICE will not take enforcement action against those charged with minor traffic violations if they have not been previously convicted of other crimes. This means that an illegal immigrant previously arrested for a serious crime, such as murder or rape, but not convicted would be cut loose under ICE�s new policy.

ICE also indicates that it could punish states and localities that are serious about the enforcement of federal immigration law by reviewing the number of illegal immigrants identified by Secure Communities in each jurisdiction and possibly taking action if the number is too high.

NO PROSECUTION OF BORDER AGENT FOR SHOOTING MEXICAN TEENAGER

Jim Kouri — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:51:00 EST

A U.S. border patrol agent and his family were relieved on Friday when they were informed that the agent won't be prosecuted for shooting and killing a Mexican teenager on the banks of the Rio Grande on June 7, 2010, according to a press statement from the U.S. Attorney General's office.

Justice Department officials said in a news release that its 'comprehensive and thorough investigation' determined there was 'insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal charges.'

The Justice Department also concluded that no federal civil rights charges could be pursued in this matter. Under the applicable civil rights statutes, prosecutors must establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a law enforcement officer willfully deprived an individual of a constitutional right, meaning with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids. This is the highest standard of intent imposed by law.

MEXICAN COPS DISCOVER DISMEMBERED BODIES NEAR U.S. BORDER

Jim Kouri — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:36:00 EST

Mexican police officers yesterday discovered dismembered bodies packed into plastic garbage bags left inside an abandoned van, according to the Law Enforcement Examiner's U.S. drug enforcement source.

What appeared to be the remains of 14 male victims were found in Mexico's northern border city of Nuevo Laredo and federal police investigators said the killings are probably linked to the drug war being fought by opposing cartels.

According to officials, police officers received a telephoned report describing an abandoned truck in the city. A search of the van revealed 10 black plastic bags containing the remains of 14 male bodies, in their early-to-mid 30s.

SUMMIT: U.S., MEXICO, COLOMBIA PLAN JOINT ANTI-DRUG, ANTI-CRIME OPERATIONS

Jim Kouri — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:39:00 EST

Near the conclusion of the America's Summit on Sunday, Mexico's beleaguered President, Felipe Calderon, called for all countries represented at the two-day meeting to fight illegal drug use and to stop arms exports to organized crime gangs such as Los Zetas drug cartel.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas held in Cartegena, Colombia, Calderon stated he's requesting intensifying programs that are geared towards reducing drug consumption in the nations that are mostly consumers, especially the United States. He also requested an end to the trafficking of arms to Latin American nations.

'Calderon, who frequently chastises the United States in front of American politicians who never defend their own country or U.S. citizens, blamed U.S. banks for the money laundering that boosts criminals' violence and power,' said former police detective now security director Manuel Cardoza.

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICERS IN SOUTHERN TEXAS FOIL ALLEGED SMUGGLING ATTEMPT OF A MINOR CHILD

No Author — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 06:07:00 EST

BROWNSVILLE, TX- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Veterans� port of entry intercepted a woman and her boyfriend for alleged violations of immigration law. The United States citizen allegedly attempted to facilitate a Mexican child�s entry into the United States without valid entry documents.

CBP BREAKS GROUND ON SOUTH TEXAS BORDER INTELLIGENCE CENTER

No Author — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:32:00 EST

LAREDO, TX � U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Deputy Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski and CBP South Texas Commander Robert L. Harris together with Laredo Sector Border Patrol and other federal, state and local officials broke ground Wednesday on the South Texas Border Intelligence Center, a facility designed to intensify and integrate intelligence gathering and sharing activity among law enforcement agencies across South Texas.

�Information sharing among law enforcement at the federal, state and local level is essential to effective border security,� said Acting Deputy Commissioner Winkowski. �This new multi-agency facility will integrate intelligence operations among South Texas law enforcement agencies and help drive enforcement operations at all levels to meet and engage emerging threats from transnational criminal organizations and to combat terrorism.�

LOS ZETAS AND MS-13: DEADLY GANGS NOW ALLIES

Jim Kouri — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:13:00 EST

Law enforcement sources in the United States claim that recent intelligence reports are providing evidence that a formal alliance exists between the Salvadorian-based Mara Salvatrucha -- better known in the U.S. as MS-13 -- and the equally dangerous and bloodthirsty Los Zetas, the most feared criminal organization in Mexico.

This latest development throws a curve ball at U.S. law enforcement efforts to assist the Mexicans and other Latin American nations fight the organized crime syndicates who traffic in narcotics that is earmarked for the United States and European nations.

According to a Law Enforcement Examiner source working on intelligence analysis for a federal law enforcement agency, there are signs that MS-13 members are exchanging their most valuable asset -- intelligence on governments' anti-drug operations -- for Los Zeta's military training, some of which was gained when members were part of Mexico's federal police and military.

TEXAS BORDER PATROL AGENTS SEIZE FIVE TONS OF MARIJUANA IN FIVE DAYS

No Author — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:37:00 EST

EDINBURG, TX � In multiple seizures over five days last week, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector seized an estimated $8.2 million worth of narcotics.

One of the most significant seizures occurred Tuesday near La Rosita, Texas, when agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station observed several men loading a truck with bundles of marijuana. As agents approached, the driver of the truck attempted to abandon the load but he was quickly apprehended. Agents found nearly 1,000 pounds of marijuana inside the vehicle. The suspect and drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Another notable seizure took place Tuesday near Roma, Texas. Agents on patrol encountered a traffic accident involving two vehicles. As agents approached to offer assistance, they observed bundles consistent with narcotics in one of the vehicles. The driver of that vehicle sped away when he saw the agents.

BORDER PATROL SEIZES 63 POUNDS OF COCAINE INSIDE ENERGY DRINK CONTAINER

No Author — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:13:00 EST

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers recently seized 63 pounds of cocaine inside a container of energy drinks arriving from the Dominican Republic.

On April 3, CBP officers in San Juan randomly selected a container on board M/V Freemantle Express, arriving from Caucedo, Dominican Republic, for inspection. The container cargo was manifested as energy drinks. When CBP officers examined the shipment, one duffle bag containing 25 brick shaped objects was found inside the container. The bricks field tested positive for cocaine with an estimated street value of $627,000.

Custody of the duffle bag and the 25 bricks was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.

EL PASO BORDER PATROL OFFICERS UNRAVEL LATEST DRUG SMUGGLING ATTEMPT

No Author — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:11:00 EST

1,814 Pounds of Marijuana Concealed in Rolls of Roofing Paper

EL PASO, TX � U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the El Paso port of entry seized just less than one ton of marijuana Tuesday. The seizure was made at the Ysleta international crossing commercial cargo facility.

�CBP officers process thousands of commercial trucks in El Paso every day without incident however this seizure shows that we must remain vigilant because smugglers will try to any available means and method to cross their illegal goods into the U.S.,� said Hector Mancha, CBP El Paso Port Director.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT PLOWS YIELD OVER A TON OF MARIJUANA AT MARFA BORDER PATROL CHECKPOINT

No Author — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:41:00 EST

MARFA, TX � Customs and Border Protection Big Bend U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Marfa station checkpoint recently seized a huge load of marijuana hidden within tractor parts. The marijuana weighed 2,395 pounds and was valued at $1.9 million. This seizure was the second enormous marijuana load found by Border Patrol agents, secreted within heavy construction equipment at this location in less than a month.

On the afternoon of March 29, a CBP U.S. Border Patrol canine team alerted to a trailer carrying eight large steel plow rippers when it entered the Marfa station checkpoint. A further inspection indicated each of the ripper implements contained sealed metal boxes full of marijuana.

CBP DONATES 192 TOILETS SEIZED IN DRUG BUST TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LAREDO-WEBB COUNTY

No Author — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:39:00 EST

LAREDO, TX - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Friday announced that 192 commercial toilets seized during a drug bust at Laredo Port of Entry would find a more appropriate home with Habitat for Humanity of Laredo-Webb County.

Eugenio Garza Jr., Director, Field Operations, Laredo Field Office, together with Carol Sherwood, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Laredo-Webb County, gathered at an event held at the port conference room at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge to announce the donation.

POE AND CUELLAR: SEND SURPLUS EQUIPMENT TO THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER

No Author — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:25:00 EST

This week, Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) were joined by 17 border sheriffs from TX, AZ, and NM in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, requesting that he send surplus equipment returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to the Southern border with Mexico.

Over the next several months, a massive draw down of U.S. Forces in Iraq will occur. More than 1.5 million pieces of equipment have already been shipped out of Iraq over the last year and nearly 900,000 remain. Much of this equipment would be useful to the federal, state and local law enforcement in their efforts to secure the border with Mexico. Congressman Poe also introduced H.R. 3422 the SEND Act which would direct the Department of Defense to make 10% of certain equipment returning from Iraq to the Southern border available for use by law enforcement agencies that patrol our southern border.

U.S. AND MEXICAN OFFICIALS SIGN LETTER OF INTENT TO SHARE $6 MILLION IN FORFEITED ASSETS TO COMBAT FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF ORGANIZED CRIME

No Author — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:35:00 EST

WASHINGTON � U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Mexican Attorney General Marisela Morales Ibáñez Monday signed a letter of intent for the United States to share approximately $6 million in forfeited funds with the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Mexico (PGR) to support Mexican efforts to combat the financial infrastructure of organized criminal groups and to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in forfeiture matters.

The letter of intent and anticipated fund sharing recognizes the PGR�s valuable cooperation in the investigation and resolution of the U.S. government�s case against Sigue Corporation for violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. In January 2008, Sigue entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice on charges of failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program.

MEXICAN COPS DISCOVER DECAPITATED HEADS IN ACAPULCO

Jim Kouri — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 06:52:00 EST

The decapitated heads of four people were discovered by Mexican police officers on Saturday in Acapulco, Mexico, inside a van abandoned on a street near the city center, according to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official.

Inside the vehicle local police found the human remains and a message from the organized crime group Los Zetas warning Mexican law enforcement officers that they will face retribution if they continue to fight the cartels, according to the Law Enforcement Examiner's DEA source.

The tourist destination of Acapulco comes in as the second most violent city contributing 795 deaths to the overall death toll.

BORDER PATROL NABS $2 MILLION IN HARD NARCOTICS

No Author — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 06:50:00 EST

TUCSON, AZ � As part of a multi-layered enforcement effort, Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized just over 180 pounds of hard narcotics in 48 hours last week in the Nogales area.

Last Wednesday, Nogales Station agents conducting patrol duties arrested two Mexican nationals east of the DeConcini Port of Entry. The subjects were in possession of three bundles of narcotics. Two of the bundles contained 171 pounds of cocaine worth almost $2 million. In the third bundle, agents found five containers filled with methamphetamine, weighing seven pounds and worth nearly $86,000. The subjects face possible federa

BACK-TO-BACK HEROIN LOADS SEIZED AT CHECKPOINT

No Author — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:47:00 EST

TUCSON, AZ � As part of a multi-layered targeted enforcement effort, Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized just more than five pounds of hard narcotics this weekend at the Interstate 19 checkpoint.

Saturday, Nogales Station agents discovered 1.3 pounds of heroin hidden beneath a Mexican citizen�s clothing during a routine immigration inspection. The narcotics, worth approximately $19,200, were held as evidence and the individual faces possible prosecution for narcotics smuggling.

In a separate incident on Sunday, a Border Patrol canine team alerted to a commercial passenger transportation vehicle which was referred for a secondary inspection.

CBP OFFICERS ARREST AIR FORCE DESERTER

No Author — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:46:00 EST

GRAND PORTAGE,MN - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested an alleged deserter from the U.S. Air Force at the Grand Portage port of entry on Saturday, March 10.

Caleb May, 21, of Biloxi, Mississippi was taken into custody by CBP officers upon his entry into the United States after a check of his identification revealed that he was the subject of a National Crime Information Center warrant for military desertion. A U.S. Air Force Investigator confirmed his status as a deserter; custody of May was then turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for transport to the Lake County Sheriff�s Office Detention Facility for extradition back to the custody of the U.S. Air Force.

�Our vigilance and diligence is resulting in the apprehension of more fugitives attempting entry into the United States,� said Area Port Director Mary Delaquis.

CBP AT DHL FIND MORE THAN BOOKS IN BOOKCASE

No Author — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:44:00 EST

CINCINNATI, OH � Last week, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, stationed at the DHL Express Consignment Operation in Erlanger, Kentucky, made an interesting discovery inside a wooden bookcase. Carefully concealed inside a false compartment, in the back side of an imported bookcase, CBP officers found 48 pounds of marijuana.

�This method of concealment further shows the great lengths drug smugglers will use to try to hide their product,� said Steven Artino, CBP acting Director of Field Operations in Chicago. �This is an outstanding example of CBP officers use of their intuition, experience and available resources in the detection and interdiction of this marijuana shipment. Every week, everyday, and every minute our CBP officers are engaged in a battle to outsmart one of the most dangerous and clever enemy of this nation - the drug smuggler.�