Rivera-Beltran specifically mentioned that a load of drugs agents believed to be cocaine that was arriving the first week of September, lamented that one of his loads had been taken, and offered the informant "1,000 almonds" which investigators believed to be fentanyl pills, according to the indictment. Mexican cartels aren't prevalent in New York City probably because smaller Colombian drug operations still supply large quantities of cocaine and heroin into New York City. Faced with such losses, the violent cartels could force their way in as black market wholesalers or simply rob pot dispensaries, which take only cash and have not been able to establish accounts with banks because of lenders' fears of violating federal laws. Juarez Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses Oklahoma City as a major hub. A similar incident occurred on 5 November when a group of cartel gunmen executed a pair of drug dealers from a rival gang on a beach at Puerto Morelos, another popular beach area south of Cancun. Colorado Springs mayoral candidates address affordable homeownership. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Escamilla gave a trooper permission to search the truck and said there was only money in there, the indictment says. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. or redistributed. The queens of the Mexican drug cartels are fond of tight jeans, red lipstick and stilettos. Rafael Caro Quintero, a drug lord known as "the narco of narcos" who was behind the killing of a US drug enforcement agent in 1985, has been captured by Mexican forces nearly a decade after. @ 4:00 PMThe article is about cartel presence in Colorado among other things. In 2001, he spent $2.5 million in bribes to escape the maximum-security Puente Grande prison in Jalisco, Mexico, in a laundry cart. 'Add Pueblo Colorado to the list. Interactive map reveals when you may see SNOW. "Though not as expansive as its rival," the Sinaloa cartel, with which it fought a multiyear war for control of Ciudad Juarez, "the Juarez Cartel continues to impact United States drug consumer markets primarily in Denver, Chicago, Oklahoma, and Kansas City," the DEA reports. Authorities have seized more than $1.5 million from 15 bank accounts and two safety deposit boxes of the restaurants. A Colorado Springs food distribution company and at least six local Mexican restaurants are linked to the Sinoloa Cartel and drug lords Joaqun "El Chapo" Guzmn-Lorea and Ismael "El Mayo". Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTERright now to get cant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox. The DEA's 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment lists nine Mexican cartels, including El Chapo's Sinaloa Cartel, as the major importers of drugs to the U.S. in 2020. Market data provided by Factset. Heroin is where their making money. Drug cartel gunmen invaded Culiacan International Airport in the western Mexican province of Sinaloa and opened fire . Around 6:43 p.m., agents watching the carport saw Tarango-Rodriguez arrive, and Trevizo got on the phone, according to the indictment. as well as other partner offers and accept our, NOW WATCH: This is how Mexican drug cartels make billions selling drugs, an offshoot of the Sinaloa cartel around 2010, violent turf wars in several areas on Mexico's west coast. Later that night while Guadalupe Ortiz was at the airport, he spoke about concealing money in notebooks while going through security with Rivera-Beltran, according to the indictment. The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office said the following defendants will be prosecuted in Douglas County: RELATED: 2 Colorado nurses illegally took controlled substances at work, U.S. Attorney's Office says. It has concentrated in some areas of California, appeared in South Florida and the Pacific Northwest, and set up outposts on the East Coast. Too funny for words! Luis Martnez, who was shot two times and remained in an induced coma as of Friday, was also an alleged member of the Cartel del Noreste, according to his Facebook account. He also told the informant a load he was waiting for had arrived, and he could give the informant 40 pounds of meth, according to the indictment. Mexico's Agriculture Ministry said U.S. health . Most notably, the Juarez cartel has reportedly seen its dominance in most of New Mexico eroded by the Sinaloa cartel. Rivera-Beltran said he believed he was followed by law enforcement a few days earlier, according to the indictment. "There has also been evidence of the utilization of cryptocurrencies by Mexican TCOs as a means by which to transfer their wealth internationally" said the DEA. The Sinaloa cartel is the oldest cartel currently operating in Mexico, and it controls significant chunks of that country, particularly on the Pacific coast. It has popped around the world, from Hong Kong to Australia and Argentina to Europe. Our children stronger than we give them credit. She joined the Gazette in 2016. The undercover officer who first made contact with Rivera-Beltran arranged another drug purchase, and the indictment says $2,200 was exchanged for a pound of meth in the same Target parking lot on June 17. They've inspired songs and telenovelas. Boogie! Example video title will go here for this video. POLL: How will the Rockies fare this season in the NL West? Inside Matt Hancock's 41-hour battle to save his career when photo of 'a snog and heavy petting' Will Vladimir Putin's empress pay the ultimate price for his war on the West? He also made calls to customers and suppliers throughout the month, the indictment says. The ban on Mexican avocados has been lifted, but an economist and a student at the Miami Herbert Business School both say that cartels are the real threat to this popular green fruit in the United States. These cartels primarily employ Mexican nationals to oversee their distribution operations in the United States. Their second choice for leadership positions are U.S. citizens of Mexican origin. You might want to lay off the coffee and keep an eye on the soapbox because you are tripping over it. drug cartel, an illicit consortium of independent organizations formed to limit competition and control the production and distribution of illegal drugs. On Aug. 25, an undercover agent called Jorge Escamilla and had a conversation about "hides and traps in vehicles" before, the indictment says, the conversation turned to Rivera-Beltran. Sinaloa Cartel is one of the oldest and most successful drug cartels in Mexico. AP Photo/U.S. The 21-year-old was driving the pickup truck that crashed into a parked car after he refused orders from the military to pull over. The bullet-hole riddled roof of a church, the site of a bloody cartel battle in El Limoncito. Wow, cross and walk down the streets of Nuevo Laredo as everyone there stairs at you. In one conversation, the indictment says the two spoke about the price of ounces, pounds and "balls," which investigators identified as "eight balls" of meth. Beltran-Leyva Organization (BLO) is the third most significant Mexican drug cartel in the United States, followed by Juarez Cartel, Gulf Cartel, and Los Zetas Cartel. Founded in the late 1980s, it was for many years headed by the notorious drug. Rivera-Beltran then called Maritza, and, according to the indictment, asked if she found food and money in the house and said "that was a good stash house." The . DENVER (AP) - The U.S. Department of Justice says two Mexican cartels are active in five Colorado cities. Every halcone is calling his boss with your every move. However, his mother, Jennifer Castillo, showed proof of a Texas-issued temporary license plate and said she had title of the vehicle, which Surez purchased in February. Ooooohhhh!!!!!! Of the 17 defendants, 11 are from Mexico, four from El Salvador, and two are from California. According to the DEA's assessment, however, the amount of US territory controlled by Mexican cartels has shifted slightly from 2015 to 2016. All rights reserved. There are reasons to doubt the cohesion of the Sinaloa cartel, especially in light of the protracted incarceration of its nominal leader, Joaqun "El Chapo" Guzmn, and recent reports of infighting between factions of the group in Sinaloa state, its heartland. Gulf Cartel is the 5th most influential Mexican drug cartel in the U.S.. Gulf Cartel is also the only Mexican cartel that uses Houston as a major hub. Add Pueblo Colorado to the list. ; and the Albertacos at 4494 Austin Bluffs Parkway. (YouTube) Mexican authorities believe a body found wrapped in plastic and left . The indictment says Trevizo's vehicle was pulled over by officers after it left the residence. Surez was chased by two Army pickup trucks before he lost control of his own and crashed into parked vehicle. Since the 1980s, they have dominated the international narcotics trade. The notoriously violent Jalisco cartel has responded to Mexico's "hugs, not bullets" policy with a policy of their own: the cartel kidnapped in mid-May 2021, several members of an elite police force in the state of Guanajuato, tortured them to obtain names and addresses . In tourist destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, CJNG has become heavily engaged in timeshare fraud, which often targets U.S. citizens. Boogie! The gangs appear to be targeting stores, vehicles and bystanders in response to disputes or attempts to capture gang members. RELATED: DEA warns of increase in fake prescription pills containing fentanyl, meth. "CJNG's rapid territorial expansion is characterized by the organization's willingness to engage in violent confrontations with Mexican Government security forces and rival cartels," as in a 2015 incident in which CJNG gunmen downed a Mexican military helicopter, as well as more recent cases of grisly displays left behind in Tijuana. I keep reading how "nobody" wants that Mexican "shit weed"? "Due to its territorial dominance over areas in northeastern Mexico, the Gulf cartel smuggles the majority of its drug shipments between the Rio Grande Valley and South Padre Island in south Texas," the DEA's report says. The extortion of 80 small-town mayors. All rights reserved. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! In a second picture that was posted online, Mata is seen with a rifle and an army fatigue green vest that appeared to have grenades concealed. On Aug. 31, the indictment says, the same confidential informant called Rivera-Beltran again. Tarango-Rodriguez said in the calls that the "buttons" Rivera-Beltran had were not good. Antonio Ortiz asked Rivera-Beltran over a call if he had received the "chocolates," believed to be heroin, and asked for "two," believed to be two kilos, according to the indictment. You can get killed for just walking around the east side.' In addition to the 6.57 kilograms of cocaine packed for distribution, the indictment says officers also found $7,117 in the glovebox. "What is quite possible is that cartels will hire straw owners who have clean records who can apply for a license, then sell large quantities both legally and on the black market," Villasuso said. The Treasury sanctioned eight Mexican companies accused of being involved in a timeshare fraud scheme controlled by one of Mexico's most infamous drug cartels. In addition, two related defendants were identified and arrested after the indictment, the district attorney's office said. They each face homicide, bodily injury and disobedience charges. They also spoke about "almonds" and how Beltran-Beltran would not be paying Escamilla a courier fee because of a $5,000 debt. In the US, the Sinaloa cartel is one of six Mexican transnational criminal organizations in operation, joining the Jalisco New Generation cartel, the Juarez cartel, the Gulf cartel, Los Zetas cartel, and the Beltran Leyva Organization. The Biden administration has sanctioned eight Mexican companies it says are involved in a timeshare fraud scheme benefiting the Jalisco cartel, a notorious drug organization that the US government . He was shot 12 times and died, Luis Martnez survived after he was shot twice by the Mexican military following a high-speed chase in the border city of Nuevo Laredo, across from Texas. Also in June, Tarango-Rodriguez continued to make calls on a third phone number that was being monitored by agents, and the indictment says he told a user he was going to sell 500,000 "small blue ones," which investigators believed to be 30-milligram fentanyl pills, in Kansas. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A short time later, the indictment says Austin Peterson and Anita Bateman arrived in a vehicle used to transport cocaine to Denver. It is based in Culiacn, Sinaloa state, Mexico. Rivera-Beltran then said that some of the money was his and told Beltran-Beltran to get a new phone number, the indictment says. The car was eventually picked up by Rivera-Beltran after an unsuccessful attempt by Guadalupe Ortiz, and they both drove to Dallas, Texas, arriving on Sept. 18, the indictment says. The document alleged that Surez was also a member of the Cartel del Noreste. Jeff Dorschner, Spokesman for the Colorado U.S. Attorneys Office, told Breitbart Texas, During the course of this investigation law enforcement determined that a Mexican Cartel was involved. During a two-year investigation spanning several states, federal agents and the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Joint Task Force recovered more than 123 pounds of methamphetamine, 500 oxycodone. His Sinaloa Cartel is one of the worlds most prolific, violent and powerful drug cartels, moving billions upon billions of dollars in marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, the U.S. Justice Department reports. Castillo said Surez lived with her and that he worked in the construction business with his stepfather. Our ranking methodology is quite simple. The organization also predicted. The cartel invests substantially to ensure that the right people are in key positions so as to further their objectives. He . FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2020 file photo, a policeman drives past town hall in Apaseo El Alto, Guanajuato state, Mexico. "Much like the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG is a poly-drug trafficking organization dealing in wholesale amounts of primarily methamphetamine, but also cocaine, heroin, and marijuana," the DEA notes, adding, "CJNG has drug distribution hubs in the US cities of Los Angeles and Atlanta.". The same drug cartels causing chaos on the U.S./Mexico border are also active in Colorado. They set up a perimeter around the area and insisted those inside turn themselves in. Claims of jury misconduct arose after a juror told VICE News in February 2019 report that several jurors followed media accounts of the three month-long trial. They spoke about introducing Escamilla to another undercover agent as well as purchasing some "blues," which investigators knew to be fentanyl pills, the indictment says. The Defendants from California are Juan Carlos Medina-Soberanis, 31; and Erik Parra. NOBODY IN THE SURROUNDING DENVER AREA WANTS THAT SHIT NEITHER!!! He told the informant the trap cars he ordered were not ready and had to be redone. Joaquin Guzman, the Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo," entered a Colorado prison known as "the Alcatraz of the Rockies" on Friday to begin a life sentence after being found guilty of a raft of crimes including conspiracy to commit murder. The fix for 2020 and for 2022 started in 2017, with appointment to election positions of individuals being bribed through the mortgage scheme and through monies being laundered by the appointment of phantom individuals. DENVER Authorities on Wednesday announced the indictments of 30 people who are accused of being members of a Denver-based drug trafficking group with suspected ties to a Mexican cartel, according to officials and court documents. "Mexican drug cartels in Boulder (Nanooo Nanooo), NORAD Central/ Air Force Academy and Dullsville-Pueblo, too. The suspected traffickers sold meth, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl pills in Colorado and transported funds from the drug sales to groups in California, and then eventually to Mexico, according an indictment in the case. The DEA said the organization was led by Saul Ramon Rivera-Beltran, 30, of Thornton, who would order drugs and have couriers pick them up. The U.S. has suspended imports of Mexican avocadosas the lucrative fruit continues to play a key role in the turf wars between drug cartels. Photos shared by Mata's friends on social media showed him holding a rifle and wearing a black vest with the Cartel del Noreste's (Northeast Cartel) initials, 'CDN,' across the chest and ammunition hanging from it. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. DENVER Authorities on Wednesday announced the indictments of 30 people who are accused of being members of a Denver-based drug trafficking group with suspected ties to a Mexican cartel, according to officials and court documents. In another call, the indictment says Tranago-Rodriguez discussed prices for a half-pound of meth with Padilla-Romo. Did you read it? Investigators also followed the vehicle driven by Peterson, watched him transfer the items into another truck, and pulled him over, the indictment says. One veteran border narcotics agent told FoxNews.com Colorado's legal pot industry will find it hard to keep the criminals from horning in on a lucrative business they once controlled. Defendants have denied involvement in the scheme. He reportedly operated under the aliases of 'El Gus' and 'El Baby Syko.'. The Colorado Springs restaurants, meanwhile, all remain open. They clearly don't care about violating the employment discrimination laws. The coalition's members operate in concert to protect themselves, relying on connections at the highest levels and corrupting portions of the federal police . Morning Forecast It is understood that the mutilated corpse in the video belongs to a gunman working for the Sinaloa Cartel, whose former leader, Joaqun Archivaldo Guzmn Loera, otherwise known . The Sinaloa Cartel, a Mexican drug gang with one of the largest U.S. footprints - including just about everything east of the Mississippi -- of all the cartels. Escamilla called Beltran-Beltran later that night, who told Escamilla he needed to pick up 24,000 pills that were moved out of the house after the traffic stop, according to the indictment. "Mexico is already in Colorado without the risks," the agent, who requested anonymity, said of the state's heavy pre-existing cartel presence. A sixth shooting victim, who was wounded and is fighting for his life at a local hospital, also belongs to the same criminal organization. Denver DEA office spokesman Albert Villasuso said with some 50 retail outlets in operation, the agency can only monitor if, how and when the cartels decide to move in to the legalized retail industry in Colorado. ", Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The restaurants would buy food from El Potosino and accept invoices for items they did not order or receive so checks could be cut to the company and Aguilar-Martinez, 48, who is in the U.S. illegally, the complaint said. On July 8, after a phone call between Zytacua and a woman concerning a drug transaction, the indictment says, agents witnessed Zytacua conduct a hand-to-hand exchange with a woman at a nail salon in Aurora. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Executions, not just of petty dealers but of prominent business executives, livestock farmers and peasant leaders. we are going to pay the farmers, again, $100. Wilberto Mata was shot 10 times by soldiers following a high-speed chase pre-dawn Sunday after the driver, 21-year-old American Gustavo Surez, failed to stop. The trooper discovered $69,050 wrapped in cellophane and $152,082 in two shoe boxes, and agents believe the first amount was the money sent by Antonio Ortiz and the second amount was money intended for River-Beltran, according to the indictment. A friend dedicated a post to Mata with a photo of him holding a rifle and the name of the criminal organization spelled across under its initials. A report by the agency's National Drug Intelligence Center says the Juarez and Sinaloa. Fountain woman to get no jail time for sexually assaulting 13-year-old, mother unhappy with plea deal. According to the DEA, these six Mexican drug cartels generate tens of billions of dollars every year and employ a multitude of financial transactions and arrangements to launder and smuggle their earnings into Mexico. Discovery Company. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. WASHINGTON Two sons of notorious drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman have been indicted on drug conspiracy charges, the Justice Department s. A cellphone of Jose Aguilar-Martinez, who purported to own the unregistered wholesale distributor El Potosino Foods, had significant contact with suspected cocaine distributors in the city and in Pueblo and was linked to Guzmns and Zambadas trafficking, the complaint says. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contests & Promotions, 2023, Pikes Peak Television, Inc. Colorado Springs, CO, USA, Special Forces soldier who never quit to receive Medal of Honor nearly 60 years after grueling firefight, DOJ ramps up its allegations that Texas is judge-shopping in cases against Biden, Germanys Olaf Scholz to meet Biden on Friday after transformative year, Woman pleads guilty to threatening Michigan 2020 election official. According to their. At least one of the five young men killed by the Mexican military had alleged links to Cartel del Noreste, which operates in the northern border city of Nuevo Laredo across from Texas. I'm scared! They discussed concern over a camera pointing towards the carport, and the indictment says Rivera-Beltran commented that he would go to the residence of Albert Sanchez Rodriguez or somewhere else.