Update on reported ‘seizure’ of two Lardeo area ranches by Mexican drug cartel
I have no way of being certain, but it seems like the info in the article below, published by the Houston Chronicle on May 19—over two months ago— could be the original source of yesterday’s blog-induced hysteria about members of Los Zetas, a Mexican drug cartel, supposedly having invaded Texas like marauding Visigoths and “seized” two Texas ranches.
FBI: Texas cell of Mexican drug cartel trains on own ranch
The FBI is advising law enforcement officers across the country that a Texas cell of Los Zetas — an increasingly powerful arm of the Mexican Gulf Cartel drug trafficking syndicate — has acquired a secluded ranch where it trains its members to ‘neutralize’ competitors in the United States.
In order to ensure its share of the lucrative illegal drug trade, the cartel’s members reportedly are operating north of the border to collect debts and spy on competitors. They have also protected cocaine and heroin shipments that were bound for Houston, where they were repackaged and shipped on to Alabama, Delaware, Georgia and Michigan, according to the FBI.
The information, which was disseminated Monday to state, local and federal agencies, does not provide specifics, such as the location of the ranch, but includes a notation that the information came from reliable FBI contacts.
Trainees are reportedly taught about home invasions, firearms and ways to run vehicles off the road in order to kidnap occupants who owe drug debts.
A San Antonio TV Station, KENS 5, reported today that the Mayor of Laredo stopped by the station to discuss the threat of violence from across the border:
Laredo mayor: ‘It’s time for action’
by KENS 5 Staff
kens5.com
Posted on July 25, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Updated today at 11:22 AMLaredo Mayor Raul Salinas stopped by KENS 5 for an exclusive interview to discuss the threat of violence from across the border and what the U.S. government must do to help its cities. He also described how Laredo has been responding to the issue.
Salinas stressed a number of times, however, that Laredo, Texas, is safe.
“There’s an increase [of violence], but it’s happening throughout the country of Mexico, and that violence is contained within Mexico,” Salinas said. “On the U.S. side, Laredo side, we have been able to use our resources that we have to ensure that we don’t have a spillover of that violence on our side of the border.”
But more resources are needed for this ongoing effort.
The Laredo Police Department has kept the violence from spreading beyond the border, Salinas said but “we need more boots on the ground, more equipment, more resources.”
Laredo has asked for help from the White House and from the state.
So while the situation is obviously grave, I hardly think the Mayor of Laredo would be in San Antonio talking to a TV station if his town was under siege and a media blackout was being enforced (as was speculated about on several blogs yesterday).
The FBI has more info on the scope of drug trafficking along the southwest U.S. border, also from May of this year.
