Friday, March 28, 2014

AZMEX F&F EXTRA 28-3-14

AZMEX F&F EXTRA 28 MAR 2014

NOTE: go to link for graphics Many hundreds of Mexican citizens (Hispanics) remain dead.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/editorial/2014/03/28/fast-furious-dennis-burke-reprimand/7001443/

Fast and Furious's last, tragic word
'FAST AND FURIOUS' TIMELINE
Here are key moments in the botched federal gun-running sting:
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2006
Project Gunrunner begins
The ATF campaign Project Gunrunner is launched nationally to combat the flood of weapons purchased in the U.S. and smuggled into Mexico. The goal is to identify and prosecute traffickers.
Republic research; wire services; Center for Public Integrity; Office of the Inspector General, Justice Department

Editorial board, The Republic | azcentral.com 6:33 a.m. MST March 28, 2014
Our View: Former U.S. attorney comments on his actions for the first time

ATF dennis burke
(Photo: David Wallace/The Republic)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Burke says State Bar resolution was fair: 'I did not follow the process'
But let's be honest: The former U.S. attorney was one of several scapegoats
Burke wasn't covering his tracks, but rather trying to defend his bosses

The last word on the tragic, murderous "Fast and Furious" scandal may be uttered by, of all people, the Arizona State Bar, which on Thursday officially issued a reprimand to Dennis K. Burke, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona for actions he took in the course of the controversy.

To non-lawyers, the sanction appears inexplicable.

READ: The State Bar's reprimand

2013: Why the feds targeted Burke

2012: Burke had anti-gun history

2011: Burke's resignation was 'fast and furious'

For having released a pair of classified documents – and, clumsily, he admits, lying about it, at first -- the state bar has issued Burke a reprimand. And it has sent him a $1,200 bill for the bar's expenses.

"It's a fair resolution," Burke told The Republic of his resolution with the Arizona bar. "As U.S. Attorney, my ultimate client is the United States. At the end of the day, I did not follow the process."

To followers of politics, the settlement is still further evidence of what is by now obvious – that Burke and others in the Phoenix office were sacrificed by their superiors in Washington, D.C., as scapegoats in a politically charged murder case, the first great Obama Administration scandal.

The state bar even says as much. In its sanctions agreement with Burke, the bar attorney observes explicitly that "respondent did not have a self-serving, selfish or pecuniary motive."

The text of the agreement notes Burke's belief about what was really happening. It notes that "these events occurred in a political context in which allegations were being published and made in congressional hearings that the (U.S. Attorney's Office in Phoenix) had failed to take actions that would have prevented the death of a federal agent."

In December 2010, that federal agent, Border Agent Brian Terry, was murdered in a shoot-out with a gang of smugglers near the U.S.-Mexico border at Rio Rico. The man who actually shot Terry, Manuel Osorio-Arellanes, was sentenced in February to 30 years in U.S. prison.

Near the shooting scene, investigators found two weapons tied to a cache of 1,400 to 2,000 weapons that had been sold intentionally to weapons smugglers in a sting operation known as "Fast and Furious."

Congressional hearings quickly convened. They would continue until they slowly petered out prior to the 2012 elections. Despite volumes of testimony, the essentials of the operation itself have never been exactly clear – Who was being stung? And, how? What was the point of it all?

And, critically, exactly who authorized the debacle?

But the politics emerged quickly enough. Justice Department officials in Washington, D.C. closed ranks quickly around embattled Attorney General Eric Holder and his top aides. As for their people in the Phoenix office? Well, someone would have to take the rap.

A former aide to then-Gov. Janet Napolitano, Burke was not a person of the Capitol. Holder's aides could manufacture enough doubt about whether the boss actually read his own emails in which Fast and Furious was explicitly discussed. But someone, somewhere, would have to take the rap. Someone would have to distract the attention of Republican members of Congress like Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

Sensing his fate, Burke resigned as U.S. Attorney in August 2011. He has not commented publicly on his actions or on events surround Fast and Furious until now.

Of his decisions that contributed to his state bar sanctions, he is contrite.

"I clearly could have done better in the way that I had done things," he said.

Burke's bar sanctions involve having released two documents to the press.

The first document, known as the "Avila memo," included information about the preparations for Fast and Furious – details that Burke felt fairly outlined the plans for the sting.

As Burke's bar agreement indicates, the U.S. Attorney for Arizona already sensed that his bosses in Washington were framing a story for congressional investigators that made Fast and Furious into a Phoenix-hatched plot. A report prepared by Republican investigators suggested that Holder's office was telling Grassley and Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., that it was all Phoenix's doing.

On June 14, 2011, Burke held a meeting of top staffers and his media officer to discuss the ramifications of releasing the Avila memo to The New York Times:

"According to Respondent, the consensus at the meeting, and his view, was that, because of its own political interests, DOJ would not adequately defend the (Phoenix office) against what the (Phoenix office) perceived to be the congressional report's unfair conclusion that the Terry murder was preventable and a direct result of the F&F operation."

Burke believed the Grassley-Issa report contained allegations about his office that "were false and inaccurate," according to the bar agreement.

Two days after a Burke staffer released the Avila document to the New York Times, Burke was questioned about it by his boss, Deputy Attorney General James Cole. At the time, he dissembled, refusing to acknowledge knowing about the decision to release the Avila memo to the Times. Later, on June 27, Burke would admit to Cole that, yes, he was responsible for it.

"I thought (releasing the document) led the greater transparency than was otherwise going to be provided," Burke said.

The second memo that Burke himself released was a document known as the "Dodson memo." ATF Special Agent John Dodson had given an interview to CBS News in which he criticized Fast and Furious. Burke felt a memo that Dodson had prepared earlier had described and recommended the very same sort of operation Dodson was criticizing on CBS News. So, he released that document too, this time to a reporter for Fox News who, Burke felt, already was very familiar with the contents of the Dodson memo.

There was a consistent theme running throughout all of Burke's actions.

He wasn't "covering tracks," as people caught up in such scandals so often attempt to do. He wasn't constructing some false scenario that might exonerate the guilty. He was releasing documents that he felt might correct the record, which in his view was being badly smudged by self-interested partisans in Washington – including the very people for whom he worked.

"There was a dysfunctionality in the overall process," Burke said, carefully choosing words.

"Standing up for our office was not a main priority for the (Washington) office."

Asked if he was treated fairly by his Justice Department superiors, Burke is utterly adamant.

"No," he declares, unequivocally.

"The entire episode could have had a better level of transparency," he said.

"And communication. There was not an effort to communicate."

END

Thursday, March 27, 2014

AZMEX UPDATE 23-3-14

AZMEX UPDATE 23 MAR 2014

Contents; A snapshot of recent events


Note: "fled the U.S. after posting bond."

Arizona sex offender found in Mexico
By Associated Press
Originally published: Mar 23, 2014 - 8:20 am
http://ktar.com/22/1716264/Arizona-sex-offender-found-in-Mexico

PHOENIX -- Federal authorities say a convicted sex offender who was indicted on drug trafficking in Phoenix has been found in Mexico.

The U.S. Marshals Service says Mexican authorities arrested Wilfredo Martinez on Friday in the town of Agua Prieta.

Authorities say a grand jury indicted Martinez in October 2012 for possession of marijuana for sale.
They say he was found with dozens of pounds of marijuana and other paraphernalia.
Investigators say Martinez fled the U.S. after posting bond.

They say a subsequent search of his home turned up evidence that led to charging him with failure to register as a sex offender.

Deputy U.S. Marshals say they alerted Mexican authorities that Martinez might be hiding in Agua Prieta with another fugitive.

Authorities say both are now in Cochise County jail.

end




Mar 21, 2014 7:53 PM
by Michel Marizco
http://www.kvoa.com/news/customs-and-border-protection-towers-not-just-on-the-border/

Customs and Border Protection towers not just on the border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will build six towers east and west of the Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 19, officials confirmed Friday.

Agency officials said the initial towers are a more careful approach to using tower technology. It comes three years after the Homeland Security Department scrapped a similar but far bigger project, the Strategic Border Initiative. That cost one billion dollars.

The new system was awarded to Elbit Systems of America, an Israeli company that worked with the Boeing Corporation on the failed SBInet project, News 4 Investigators revealed in February. The company will use cameras and radars able to track movement up to six miles away.

The new tower system will be tested near the checkpoint and if successful, will be extended to five other areas of Arizona. Those include Sonoita, Douglas, Ajo, Casa Grande and Wellton.

Earlier in March, the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, criticized this latest project. Auditors found that Customs and Border Protection did not have a master plan to ensure this new tower system will actually work.

Customs and Border Protection technology programs head Mark Borkowski told a House border subcommittee in March that ultimately, the new tower system would cost $500 to $700 million over the next years. He also rejected the GAO's recommendations to develop a master plan.

end




More than 300 pounds of marijuana found in SUV in Pinal County

Photo courtesy of Pinal County Sheriff's Office
Rodolfo Celaya-Leyva, left, and Miguel Gomez-Valdez, right, were arrested last week after deputies stopped a car they were in and found 330 pounds of marijuana.
3 hours ago • By Veronica M. Cruz
http://azstarnet.com/news/blogs/police-beat/more-than-pounds-of-marijuana-found-in-suv-in-pinal/article_b9d000ac-b394-11e3-9b8f-001a4bcf887a.html

Pinal County Sheriff's deputies arrested two men and seized 330 pounds of marijuana, during a traffic stop last week.

On March 18, a deputy stopped a Chevy sports utility vehicle after seeing the driver commit a traffic violation near Highway 84 and Highway 347, Tim Gaffney, a Pinal County spokesman said in a news release.

The driver, Miguel Gomez-Valdez, 21, and passenger Rodolfo Celaya-Leyva, 27, rolled down their windows and the deputy smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the SUV and saw several marijuana bundles in the back seat, the rear cargo area and the front floorboard on the passenger's side, the release said.

The men admitted to being in the United States illegally. Celaya-Leyva told authorities he crossed the border the week before with nine other men and each man carried bundles of marijuana on their backs through the desert.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of one count each of possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana and possession of marijuana and booked into the Pinal County Jail.

The vehicle, a portable radio and cell phones were also seized.

end




Arrest two Americans in AP
Details Published on Sunday, 23 March 2014
Written by Editor / The Journal
http://www.eldiariodesonora.com.mx/nota.php?nota=28699
Agua Prieta , Son.

They had an arrest warrant in the United States on charges of drug trafficking.
Derived from a collaborative effort, agents of the State Police (PEI) yesterday arrested two subjects who had arrest warrants in the United States on charges of drug trafficking.

Wilfredo Martinez is originally from Tucson , Arizona , and Roberto Torres Luong , a native of Phoenix , Arizona , 29 and 26 years respectively .
These subjects had arrest warrants in Phoenix , Arizona, the first one for the crime of drug trafficking and possession of firearms and the second for drug trafficking .

The arrest was made ​​by elements of the PEI around 12:30 pm yesterday in the colony Infonavit Alamito derived from a partnership in which the authorities of the state of Arizona asked the Attorney General of the State of Sonora for support towards the location and arrest of Wilfrido and Robert .
The above persons will be given to the staff of the National Institute of Migration to whom they are made ​​available to the authorities that are requesting them in the neighboring country .

END




Captured in Guanajuato a band that butchered their victims
EDITOR
MARCH 22, 2014
DRUGS
http://www.proceso.com.mx/?p=367902

The authorities took guns and drugs from gang members . Photo: Special .

MEXICO , DF ( proceso.com.mx ) - . members of a cell of organized crime who dismembered his victims , were arrested by agents of the Ministry of Public Security and the Attorney General in the town of Villagran .

The authorities assured high-powered weapons , cars , drugs and various sharp objects with which the criminal group allegedly butchered his victims.

For the subjects were linked to multiple killings and kidnappings in the southern part of the state, said on its Twitter account Guanajuato attorney general , Carlos Zamarripa Aguirre.

Among the weapons seized are two R- 15, an AK -47 known as " goat horn" four handguns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition , and tactical ballistic material, and with machetes allegedly dismembered his victims.

Among the confiscated found a safe house and several cars. However, the authorities did not specify the number of detainees or the drug seized .

" Joint operations PGJ SSPE and report criminal dismemberment of whipping the south side of the State" , published the Secretary of Public Security of the state , Alvar Cabeza de Vaca on his Twitter account .

In their accounts of the social network the state attorney general , Carlos Zamarripa Aguirre and Vaca published pictures of guns , drugs and confiscated objects.

END

AZMEX POLICY 26-3-14

AZMEX POLICY 26 MAR 2014



Arizona Senate panel OKs 'virtual' border fence, no funding
3 hours ago  •  By Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services


PHOENIX — A Senate panel voted Tuesday to set up a "virtual fence'' along the U.S.-Mexico border — but provided no money to do that.

The 8-1 vote came after Sen. Bob Worsley, R-Mesa, realized he could get no traction for his original proposal to spend $30 million to build a network of 300 towers, each equipped with cameras and radar. So the scaled-back version, HB 2461, simply authorizes the virtual fence — and delayed until next year the question of whether Arizona taxpayers will actually pick up the tab.

That possibility annoyed Rep. Chester Crandell, R-Heber.
"What benefit is the state going to get out of this?'' he asked. Crandell said securing the border is a federal responsibility, and any cost should be borne by the federal government.

That brought a sharp rebuke by Sen. Al Melvin, R-Tucson.
"I'm really disappointed when I hear people say this is a federal issue,'' he said.
"The border leaks like a sieve,'' Melvin said. And he claimed that has a $2 billion annual impact on the state in people not here legally ending up in Arizona schools, hospitals and prisons.

Worsley has been beating the drum for equipment manufactured by Spotter RF, a Utah firm that advertises itself as selling low-power radar products for commercial and military use. Worsley said he figures it would take 300 of these units, mounted on towers about a mile apart, to cover the entire border.

And while this measure contains no funding, Worsley is clearly angling for that to happen at some point. He said that $30 million price tag — $100,000 per site — is "less than the cost of a high school.''

Part of Crandell's objection goes to the issue of what, if anything, the towers and radar units would accomplish.

Worsley said the live video feeds would be available to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to use if they want to capture illegal border crossers. But he conceded there's a political purpose behind his plan: Monitoring the federal government.

He said Republican members of Congress have told the Obama administration they will support comprehensive immigration reform only when the border is secured. And that, said Worsley, has to be confirmed not by the administration's own Department of Homeland Security but by those in the border states.

"How do we confirm to the federal government that, in fact, the border is secure if we don't trust them and we don't have any mechanism to verify that, in fact, the border has reached operational control?'' he asked. Worsley said his virtual fence is inexpensive enough to provide that verification.

That distrust of the federal government was echoed by Melvin.
"Our two U.S. senators say that the border is secure,'' he said. "But it isn't.''

end

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

AZMEX BACKGROUND 26-3-14

AZMEX BACKGROUND 26 MAR 2014   

Note:  some very interesting background, especially for locals.  Douglas not mentioned in this one, although the route was personally supervised by Joaquin's father-in-law.  Cananea directly south of AP / Douglas.  Long and mostly computer english. 



Structure and  enemies of  'El Chapo '
Documents held by Excelsior reveal that Guzmán 's arrest involved a man who knew nothing . Ministerial declaration of his " private secretary "

03/26/2014 6:13 Drafting 

Carlos Manuel Hoo Ramirez said to be secretary of El Chapo .


MEXICO CITY , March 26 - . Detention Joaquin El Chapo Guzman Loera , which occurred at 06:40 hours on Saturday 22 February, by members of the Navy of Mexico ,a person was a key figure who , so far, was ignorant of his participation .

This was a man of 1.80 meters , scared, " desperately " made a stop to a unit of the Navy to mark the precise spot where the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel was with a heavily armed man : Carlos Manuel Hoo Ramirez, his bodyguard and one of his " private secretaries ."

For the first time since capturing the world's biggest drug dealer, Excelsior tells about the story, the version of the two marines who arrested the leader of the Sinaloa cartel and the testimony of the Condor , the bodyguard, " private secretary "who reveals little known details until today .

Reports that El Chapo Guzman lived for the past three years in Culiacan , capital of Sinaloa, and time is given to describe the organizational structure of the holding company , the companies and the enemies of El Chapo .

He speaks of his compadres and associates, men of confidence , their links, and women.   Of the children of drug lord . Revenge.

capture

The complaint of facts derived from the AP/PGR/SEIDO/UEIDCS/069/2014 investigation , the story of two of the marines who took part in the capture of Joaquin Guzman Loera Archivaldo last February 22 is described.

The informative part of that day, and to agents of the Deputy Research Specializing in Organized Crime ( SEIDO ) , attached to the Specialized Crimes Against Public Health Unit , marines, whose names are omitted for security reasons , noted that " they still approximately 06:40 hours today , this year , to find themselves performing functions of this institution in the fight against organized crime in the state of Sinaloa, precisely in the city of Mazatlan the undersigned, officers onboard units , as we drove along Avenida del Mar , precisely at the building known as tower Miramar , a person of about 1.80 meters, of slim build , wearing blue jeans and polo shirt type , approached with hands high .

I , who was on the passenger side , I asked him what he wanted , and he answered me that a few minutes before had seen a gunman inside the apartment tower known as Miramar, he was scared and he asked for help desperately . "

 The sailors , who did research work and had participated in the raid in Culiacan eight days before , had no doubts.

They descended from the vehicle " in order to rule out any threat against the condominium residents ."

That mysterious man who frightened " desperately " asked for help by the time no more sign.

Even so , marines entered the building by the stairs , " making a search for all the floors of the tower above . We found no gunman one , two and three floors . Continuing the search . When you reach the fourth floor , facing the stairs above the elevator is so turned right , noting that in front of the hall , the apartment is 402, and the continued progress we turned right again and in that moment we turned right , as two or three meters, compared to 401 department , outside a male person was with a rifle in hand.

Then describes the sailor - he said with strong, clear voice, ' Armada of Mexico , drop the gun .' "

Given this warning , continues the story - "the subject pointed us with gun and ran into the apartment, into 401 , so the presence of a long gun we enter in pursuit of armed person without losing sight , hitting him in the hall of 401 apartment . At this point he drops the gun on the floor of the room and says " I see , no problem ."

The Navy reports that at that time I had picked up the gun attachment an assembly consisting of a 40 mm caliber grenade launcher .

The person who at that time had been arrested was Carlos Manuel Hoo Ramírez, El Condor. The escort and " private secretary " of one of the men most wanted by the police of the world.

The apartment said the sailor , had an arsenal so they demanded they submit the appropriate authorization to carry weapons .

Hoo Ramirez, at that moment , he replied that they had not , that the weapons were to protect his boss Joaquin Guzman Loera .

Just then , El Chapo Guzman came out of another room and they stopped him.

The Condor goes

In his ministerial statement Carlos Manuel Hoo Ramírez , El Condor, contradicts the version of the marines in two points : that when they entered the apartment , he was asleep . Never pointed his gun , because they gave him no time to do so.

In his statement Hoo met Ramirez argues that his work is " personal secretary " to Joaquin Guzman Loera .

He met El Chapo because Marcelino Ticante El fantasma, introduced them on the ranch Los Pollos . Then they both were part of the Mexican Army .

He said Ticante  was arrested for possession of weapons collection and drug dealing in Costa Rica , but is currently being held in the prison of Almoloya de Juareaz.

I note that my role was strictly to run  errands and was going from El Chapo to his friend , Damaso Lopez, "el licenciado" a native of Eldorado, in the municipality of Culiacán.

El Chapo , insists his story was reaching his women between 20 and 30 thousand pesos a fortnight . He said he helps his brothers , his mother and other family members with 700 or 800 thousand pesos a fortnight . That payroll million 800 thousand pesos , he received payments of 14 thousand pesos a fortnight , although  "el chapo gave me ten thousand U.S. dollars ."

Wives , children, the task 

Hoo Ramirez recounts in his ministerial statement he met three of the wives of Joaquin Guzman Loera . The first is Griselda López Pérez , about 44, with whom he had four children: Joaquin , Quique , who studied management and has among his hobbies, jeeps , Ovid , who has studied Accounting in Culiacan , Sinaloa, and is married to a niece of Manuel Torres, the M -1, who likes horses.

Edgar , who was killed in a mistake by his own Sinaloa cartel , and Gisel Guadalupe , who is still studying .

Of the first two , El Condor reveals that they engage in trafficking marijuana from Los Remedios to Nogales, ( Son/AZ) what they do through trucks and planes .

Hoo Ramirez accurate data. It details the track using the children of El Chapo Guzman for their activities is located in La Palma , Navolato, Sinaloa. Between aircraft , Cessna airplanes have two, a 06 a brown with green lines , and one white with blue lines . That one of the pilots is Hector Macit, El 17 . He explained that the children of El Chapo will receive marijuana from the people of El Cinco or El Yiyo , but also an agent of another of his compadres : Ismael El Mayo Zambada .

The second and third wives

Again according to the testimony of the Condor , the second wife of El Chapo Guzman is Emma Coronel , who was the niece of Nacho Coronel . That is 22 years . That she " had twins, Mali and Maria Joaquina " .

The third wife's name is Alejandrina or  Alejandra, who is from Jalisco and lives with her children in Culiacan : Alfredo Guzman , 22 , and Ivan Archivaldo , 24, who , like the other brothers , is engaged in marijuana trafficking , although in this case also methamphetamine .

El Chapo Guzman , he said, had a person in charge of communications and phone changed every week . "I used only Blackberry , El Nariz - who does not identify himself by name - was responsible for the purchase of equipment .

 

Notes to the charge of corrupt officials

For El Condor pilots who work and are trusted Hector Musque Musquiq , plus other ex military Guillermo Rivera , El Chaneque , who also had functions of  " personal secretary ." He and El Chaneque covering a period of twenty consecutive days for another twenty days off.

At another point in his statement , Ramirez Hoo reports that one of its functions was to communicate with the accountant ( who does not identify by name) to make payments to his boss ordered .

The Condor maintains that coordinate air safety in Mazatlan was El Bravo and it was he who received them upon arrival at the port before his capture .

the public relations  

But El Condor does not stop there . Also reveals who within the organization is responsible for public relations, " and seek to find and preserve the relationship with local, state , municipal authorities is Damaso Lopez, El Licenciado , one of whose sons , nicknamed El Mini, also used to move drugs.

Culiacan , shelter

Hoo Ramirez that in the past three years " they were living in Culiacán, in the houses where they burst into and all we did was rotate . We had about five houses where to hide. All these houses were connected with an escape system including underground drainage . "

The last house they managed to escape , says: "It was about three o'clock in the morning. It is a two story house . My boss noticed and opened the tub, we all go through the sewers , which led us to the canal. Here we look at how to get to the avenue through which they passed was for us to take to Mazatlan. The planes that were used to move drugs across the border also used them as transportation, like the time we were taken to Los Cabos . "

The inner circle

At El Chapo met him a bride named Mayran . I also met the nanny named Balbina and El Guano , who is the brother of El Chapo ; would visit often and also moving drugs. There is a guy who would say that Chef was responsible for getting the goods in Colombia . The only way to communicate with him was through the Blackberry.

I also want to say that El Veinte surname Peña , was chief of security , as well as another Ramoncito " .

conflict

In his testimony, Hoo Ramirez describes the people of El Chapo Guzman holds a dispute with Beltran, Sinaloa , which includes El Chapo Isidro , one of its main allies and controls the northern corridor of Sinaloa, to Sonora from Guasave . El Chapo also has problems with people of Vicente Carrillo because he sent people to Chihuahua.  he once made ​​a alliance with The Salgueiro and Los Güeros .

Another enemy is marked M1 , with whom El Chapo bore no relation , although one of his sons was married to a niece of him.

I also want to say that El Chapo Guzman pulled people from Jalisco because he had problems with El Mencho " .

the shops 

In his ministerial statement Hoo Ramirez ensures that all the little shops in Culiacan, Sinaloa are required to align with El Chapo Guzman, so you should buy the goods from him and ask for his permission .



Cocaine , the journey to the U.S.  

The way the organization sends marijuana to the United States is via Nogales, Sonora , via Los Yiyos . The drug will go to the  U.S. after departure from Culiacán, embarks on a train and sent to Cananea then to Nogales.   Mules are used from Nogales, weapons are bought in from Culiacan , bazookas come from Colombia , the cocaine purchased in Guayaquil ; aircraft " acquirred  " in Chiapas and sent to Culiacan. That was the route to Nogales and Agua Prieta from Culiacan with the planes carrying drugs . When the drug came from Ecuador entered by Jalisco and then sent to us in Mazatlan.

He declared that Nogales is dominated by El Chapo and Tijuana is controlled by Ismael El Mayo Zambada .



the warning

Derived from the arrest of their leader , El Condor warns that it is possible that a confrontation between  El Negro Bravo and El Licenciado Damaso arises.   "They believe that El Licenciado  was who put El Chapo , although I think the children have more affinity with El Negro Bravo " . Hoo Ramirez thinks it is sure to be Ismael El Mayo Zambada , who will arrange things. Juan Jose Esparragoza Moreno,El Azul  , said he knew nothing .

networks

The 24 guard the entrance of La Angostura and la Reforma to keep out the people of El Chapo Isidro , which is the plaza of Guasave . " I also want to say that in Navolato it is Los Carrillo and there nobody messes . Eldorado is El Licenciado  and Pueblos Unidos , Quila , where He sends Meño and instead stayed anthrax El Chino Antrax,   El Roque , who controls Culiacan.    The coast is El Licenciado  Damaso ; Mazatlan is El Negro Bravo.  San Ignacio Esquinapa  is El Negro Bravo.    " Los Beltrán are to the side of Nayarit , El Fuerte , and Ahome  and Choix , where he covered our entrance to El Chapo Isidro. The Salazar is  friends with El Chapo ,   El Papas  helped him to 80 , who coordinated security patrols . Also  El Cholo Molacho  in Los Mochis was very strong in Ahome and Guamuchil . "  

Who had the business of bananas and cucumbers with coca was El Nariz with the phones . "

The encounter with Caro Quintero

According Hoo Ramirez, escort and private secretary to El Chapo Guzman, the boss , along with El Negro and El Chaneque went to visit Caro Quintero " to say hello at a ranch located on the side of the Los Caballeros."

El Negro Bravo was my partner on a course of Special Forces in the Army , is about 1:50, is dark-skinned , with a strong body. Always wear a cap and Praga glasses (sic ) . The people of El Negro coordinates with the children of El Chapo .   El Popeye is a charge of stores of El Bravo whose assistant El Gato . They are the la Crus al Charco, in Mazatlan , also Culiacan sometimes . El Bravo when is  trouble is going to Mazatlan.   El Bravo met us in Mazatlan, also mean that Bravo will help with Guero for all , who are paid the heads of the municipal police , including at the ministerial  . "

END



AZMEX SPECIAL 24-3-14

AZMEX SPECIAL 24 MAR 2014

Note; Some interesting background, mostly computer english Will Joaquin, knowing so many details of the corruption on both sides of the border, live to face trial?


Empire of the Sinaloa cartel
Posted on March 23, 2014
by Miguel Angel Vega
chapo porta
http://riodoce.mx/noticias/el-imperio-del-cartel-de-sinaloa

Mexico and US unite against financial networks of drug trafficking

Last week was held in Mexico City the first top-level meeting of the governments of Mexico and the United States after the recapture of Joaquin Guzman Loera, El Chapo . the stated purpose : to take steps to dismantle money laundering networks of drug cartels .

Thus, the Mexican government would join the campaign for years performed the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC ) of the United States to identify and punish money laundering mechanisms that are being implemented in Mexico .

"We believe that a key element to combat organized crime should be attacking their financial systems , and we are working with determination to achieve it ," said Secretary of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP ), Luis Videgaray case , during the meeting held with the Minister of national Security of the United States, Jeh Johnson.

In an event at the National Palace , the head of the Ministry of Finance stated that there is a high degree of cooperation between the two nations in this matter and that will go with everything to stop money laundering in Mexico .

The U.S. official , meanwhile , he acknowledged the actions of the Mexican government in the recent arrest of Joaquin Guzman Loera .

As to whether the U.S. government prefers Guzman Loera 's extradition to stand trial in the country , Johnson expressed his "faith in justice, in the Mexican criminal justice system and so that's my comment , that's my answer."

Videgaray and Johnson signed a declaration of principles by which Mexico and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate on security issues .

Chapo networks
How much will advance in the dismantling of the financial circuits and money laundering from drug cartels ? the time of his arrest , Joaquin Guzman , for example, had a presence in over 50 countries spread between Europe , Asia and Oceania , most notably Spain , Italy , Portugal, Netherlands, France, Germany, Malaysia , China , India, Australia and Japan.

If after the recapture of Guzman Loera structure remains as before , it would mean that networks have in several countries of the world , too. According to the UN , Sinaloa kingpins distributed between 50 and 60 percent of the drugs entering the United States currently . And continue his empire , although the Chapo already behind bars .

"Your organization continues to operate , but will be gradually dismantled as has happened with other drug cartels in Mexico ," says a statement from the Dea .

Guillermo Galdos, Peruvian journalist who recently released the documentary The Legend Chapo said the reason why the La Tuna, Badiraguato , was of the richest men in the world , according to Forbes , was his great ability to do business but especially so lucrative business of illegal drugs .

"In Peru the coca area or Colombia , a kilo of cocaine is achieved in $ 2,000 , but once in the U.S., the price of the drug goes up to $ 35,000 in California, while in Chicago or New York price the kilo is $ 45,000 , " Galdos said, according to research conducted for months in Mexico , Colombia and the United States.

And yet , it is in Europe and Asia where the cost of each kilogram of cocaine is triggered , as in France , Spain , Italy or the United Kingdom, the kilo of cocaine increases up to $ 65,000 .

That would be the biggest motivation would Chapo Guzman when determined move drugs to Europe , and seek ways to produce and distribute in countries of that continent and others like Asia and Oceania.

According to reports from the Attorney General 's Office ( PGR ), the Chapo is related to criminal groups such as Cosa Nostra and the 'Ndrangheta , which originated in Italy, but already spread its tentacles to almost all over Europe and North America.

The arrest of the brick González Villarreal three brothers from the Lomas de Rodriguera , Culiacan , who were indicted for drug trafficking in Malaysia, can be seen as a bellwether for the expansion of the networks that the Sinaloa cartel held in Asia.

But it was Malaysia not only where Chapo arrived, but other Eastern countries , according to the Chinese newspaper South Morning Post , pointing to the Sinaloa cartel as the main ally of Sun Yee On and 14K two crimiales organizations of that country those that are filled at Hong Kong merchandise Chapo organization offered them , especially cocaine. According to the publication , the idea would have been Chapo , who sent people over there to see how they could fund and / or provide illegal drugs to the Chinese people .

The same would be done in the rest of the world , including Europe , Asia , Oceania and South American countries, although the operations center would be Hong Kong , where processed synthetic drugs that then people from the Sinaloa cartel to transport illegal markets the United States , Canada, Europe , Africa and Mexico . through partnerships with local gangs, the cartel also sold some of the synthetic drugs in Argentina , Guatemala and El Salvador .

Just to illustrate the penetration of the Sinaloa cartel , in December 2013 , federal agents captured three suspects Philippines near Manila. According to reports at the time, the three suspects had ties to the Sinaloa cartel .

" The three suspects were preparing and storing methamphetamine lab located on a farm breeding roosters south of Manila ," was then published . Quotation made ​​Philippine authorities . the total drug - da was confiscated 84 kilos of methamphetamine. Precursor chemicals used to produce synthetic drugs were provided by the Chinese gangs 14K and Sun Yee On.

Tobia Bartolome , chief of the police anti-narcotics forces of the Philippines, said the security operation confirmed that Chapo worked with Chinese mafias. "Mexicans who are already here , they receive help from Chinese criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking," he said.

A week after the arrests in the Philippines, January 4, 2014 , more than 2000 Chinese security agents seized more than three tons of methamphetamine in the city of Guangdong Lugeng . The Chinese authorities also arrested 182 suspects. Synthetic drugs belonged to one of the organized crime groups working with Guzman Loera , the Chinese government said.

So, all this network and drug development requires laundering organization profits, than good is done through international shopping companies and real estate, and its incorporation into the financial circuits and local authorities of the countries involved in the first place would be discovered.

According to government agencies , the proceeds of drug trafficking profits generate annual revenues of over 300 billion dollars.

According to the UN , U.S. drug users spend about 60 billion dollars in illicit drugs each year , ie one fifth of the money leaves the U.S., even as estimated experts, consumers in a city like New York spent more than $ 16 million per week on cocaine , marijuana , heroin and methamphetamine .

MONEY ' DIRTY ' . Networks in the world.
MONEY ' DIRTY ' . Networks in the world.

Wachovia case
One of the biggest scandals that U.S. banks were involved in laundering drug money was the Wachovia case, where bankers confessed not comply with federal laws and regulations to control money laundering , and therefore , had participated in transfers of millions of dollars in illicit funds from the Mexican drug trade .

Wachovia Corp. admitted in 2012 in federal court have not watched or reported suspicious activities of money laundering by drug traffickers, including funds for the purchase of at least four aircraft in United States, which carried a total of 22 tons of cocaine.

Further funds were transferred to at least 22 exchange houses in Mexico who had accounts with Wachovia. One example cited in the documents is the Casa de Cambio Puebla SA , whose managers created shell companies for cartels and , according to the Department of Justice United States, managed to launder about 720 million through U.S. banks .

All this was revealed in a plea deal with federal prosecutors Bank in March 2010. In court official documents of the case, Wachovia admitted it did not do enough to spot illicit funds in handling of over 378.4 billion dollars in business with Mexican exchange houses between May 2004 and May 2007 .

Of this total, Wachovia processed at least 373.6 billion in wire transfers , plus 4.7 billion in cash transfers , and 47 million in deposits international checks . not all of these funds are linked to drug trafficking , but , according to research from the Department of Justice , billions were not subject to the ordered surveillance by law, and hundreds of millions of dollars of these funds themselves have been directly linked to the drug trafficking.

Mexico and Sinaloa

In Mexico , despite the Treasury of the United States has been boletinando entire families related to money laundering from drug cartels and companies formed pointing illicit money , they continue to operate normally. The Esparragoza , the Beltran Leyva, the Zambada, Carrillo , the Guzman Salazar , the Cázarez , the Caro ... still have an unquantifiable economic power product business of drugs.

And so far there has been no judicial or executive , which is responsible for freeze this empire. Not so far.

With information from agencies.

END

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

AZMEX I3 25-3-14

AZMEX I3 25 MAR 2014


Women and teenage illegal immigrants pay thousands to cross US-Mexico border, often raped and sexually assaulted by guides
Written by Staff
Tuesday, 25 March 2014 10:27
By Carlos Garcia • Latin Post • www.LatinPost.com
http://eaglepassdaily.com

EAGLE PASS, TX - There is a booming business taking place on the U.S.-Mexico border: Human trafficking. Migrants who want to cross into the U.S. pay thousands of dollars to guides who use their knowledge of the land to bring them safely across while avoiding the border patrol. "Coyote" is the name given in the trade for the human smugglers who are responsible for the majority of the illegal immigration across the Southwest border.

One of these coyotes is a 29-year-old woman named "Paula", who lives in the border city of Piedras Negras, across from Eagle Pass, Texas. She says she's been a coyote since she was 17 years old. In the 12 years of doing this line of work, she says she has only been caught by the Border Patrol four times. Each time, her clients tell the federal agent that she is just another illegal immigrant and she gets released instead of being prosecuted as a human smuggler.

Paula and other coyotes make a very good living compared to the other economic opportunities available to them. In her case, clients will pay $1,500 to San Antonio or $1,800 to Houston, $300-400 of which goes to Paula for each client she smuggles. She usually makes a couple of trips a month.

"I feel like I'm helping them. Things are rough here," she says. "They can earn a lot better living there, and then send money back to their families in Mexico."

END




Man deported 14 times to be deported again
By KTAR Newsroom
Originally published: Mar 25, 2014 - 12:31 pm
http://ktar.com/22/1716983/Man-deported-14-times-to-be-deported-again

PHOENIX -- A Mexican man deported 14 times is in the process of being deported again, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.

Tomas Rivera-Flores was arrested Sunday when a car he was riding in was pulled over by a PCSO deputy.
After being stopped, all four passengers of the vehicle told the deputy they were in the country illegally and could not provide identification.

Rivera-Flores told the deputy his name and that he had been deported 14 times. Border Patrol confirmed that number.

The suspect vehicle had been used in the past to transport marijuana but none was located, PCSO said.
Rivera-Flores and the three other men were turned over to Border Patrol for deportation.

end






2 hours 49 minutes ago by Ryan Haarer
Group wants city ID cards to protect undocumented immigrants
http://www.kvoa.com/news/group-wants-city-id-cards-to-protect-undocumented-immigrants/

TUCSON - When police in Arizona make contact with someone who does not have identification they can call immigration enforcement. The Protection Network Coalition in Tucson wants to arm the undocumented with city identification cards to prevent those investigations among other benefits.

"(There are) people being taken away to immigration detention and being held in custody and being separated from their families," said Raul Alcaraz Ochoa, an immigration rights activist behind the effort.

Pat Sexton, president of the Arizona Latino Republican Association, migrated to this country legally years ago. She says a city ID is a slap in the face to those who follow the rules.

"We don't care who comes in to this country, we're going to welcome, quote on quote everybody, which we do. We are a very welcoming country, as long as you follow the rules," said Sexton.

Modeled after a similar program in Oakland the Tucson ID could be used as a bus pass, in health clinics, or even as a bank card. Most importantly it would be recognized by all city services including law enforcement.

"You won't have people living in the shadows, living anonymously in fear," said Alcaraz Ochoa.

He hopes more undocumented people will step up to call police during emergencies and cooperate in police investigations instead of living in fear of deportation. Sexton doesn't think the ID will compel those people to get involved with police.

"Many more people are getting a pass. They're being told they're not going to get deported. So that's a red herring right there."

The plan outlined by the coalition admits there will be significant startup costs. They hope the city will pursue grants to cover the price tag. Pat says the city has bigger fish to fry, like a $33 million budget deficit.

"The infrastructure; there are buildings that need repair and this seems to take precedent. How can that be?" said Sexton.

But dreamers and the undocumented feel this has to work, for security and a better sense of community.

Talks about the city ID are in very early stages. Councilmember Regina Romero's office has been speaking with the Protection Network Coalition about the implementation of these ID's. While she thinks the cards would be great for the economy she is not sure the city should take this on. She thinks it may be better for the county to take on the program to cover more people and more services.

END




MIGRACIÓN
Deportados de EU 20 mil zacatecanos, en 2013; muchos intentan regresar
El Sol de Zacatecas
21 de marzo de 2014
http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldemexico/notas/n3330662.htm
Juan Castro

Zacatecas, Zacatecas.- El diputado migrante, José Guadalupe Hernández Ríos, consideró que en 2013 fueron deportados de Estados Unidos aproximadamente dos millones de mexicanos, y de esta cantidad, se estima que entre 15 mil y 20 mil eran zacatecanos.

El legislador afirmó que en el transcurso de 2014 han incrementado las deportaciones, sin embargo, dijo que se realizan de madrugada y no precisó cuántos paisanos han sido repatriados.

Reprochó que las casas de migrantes que albergan a connacionales repatriados no tienen servicios básicos por la falta de aportaciones gubernamentales.

El diputado petista comentó que los deportados se niegan a regresar a su estado y se aferran a cruzar nuevamente la frontera, pese a que pagan 10 mil dólares a los 'coyotes' para seguir el sueño americano.

Estableció que ante la falta de políticas públicas en favor de los connacionales y frente a las deportaciones, diputados del país realizarán aquí el primer Congreso Nacional de Representantes Legislativos de Atención a Migrantes.

José Guadalupe Hernández Ríos informó que el congreso se realizará el 5 y 6 de abril en la sede del Poder Legislativo local.

Los principales temas a abordar son derechos políticos de los migrantes, políticas de migración, desarrollo y seguridad humana, caravanas migrantes, transparencia y presupuesto federal para migrantes.

Consideró que este sector está abandonado, por ello plantearán a las legislaturas estatales impulsar la representación de migrantes en este Poder y en los ayuntamientos.

El petista adelantó que participarán académicos e investigadores, diputados migrantes, legisladores estadounidenses y la ex gobernadora zacatecana Amalia García Medina, presidenta de la Comisión de Migración del Congreso de la Unión.

fin





Posponen de nuevo audiencia para fijar fecha de juicio a 'El Vicentillo'
Publicado en marzo 24, 2014 por Redacción

http://riodoce.mx/narcotrafico-2/posponen-de-nuevo-audiencia-para-fijar-fecha-de-juicio-el-vicentillo

Chicago (LA JORNADA).- La audiencia judicial para determinar la fecha de inicio del juicio contra Vicente Zambada Niebla, El Vicentillo, hijo del presunto líder del cártel de Sinaloa, Ismael El Mayo Zambada, fue reprogramada hoy para el próximo 16 de abril.

La audiencia judicial estaba programada para este martes, pero fue suspendida por segunda vez por el juez Rubén Castillo, de la Corte Federal del Distrito Norte en Chicago, a petición tanto de los abogados defensores de Zambada Niebla como de la fiscalía federal.

La secretaria de la Sala de la Corte, Ruth O'Shea, confirmó a Notimex la suspensión y precisó que la audiencia fue reprogramada para el próximo 16 de abril.

La nueva suspensión refuerza versiones periodísticas de que la fiscalía y la defensa estarían negociando un acuerdo que evitaría la realización del juicio.

Bajo el presunto acuerdo, Zambada Niebla se declararía culpable y aceptaría colaborar con las autoridades estadunidenses por una sentencia menor a la cadena perpetua que podría recibir en juicio por alguno de los ocho cargos en su contra por narcotráfico y lavado de dinero.

El Vicentillo fue detenido en México el 19 de marzo de 2009 y extraditado a Estados Unidos 11 meses después, el 18 de febrero de 2010.

Antes de su detención en México, la Agencia Antidrogas de Estados Unidos (DEA) había formulado desde 2003 al menos dos acusaciones en su contra por narcotráfico y lavado de dinero ante cortes federales en Chicago y el Distrito de Columbia.

En las acusaciones, las autoridades estadunidenses argumentan que Zambada Niebla introdujo de contrabando a Estados Unidos más de mil millones de dólares en cocaína y heroína y obtuvo ganancias por al menos 500 millones de dólares traficando hacia Estados Unidos.

De acuerdo con documentos ante la Corte, desde su extradición a Estados Unidos la defensa legal de El Vicentillo y la fiscalía federal han realizado más de 269 peticiones que han postergado el juicio.

En una de las numerosas mociones interpuestas por la defensa, el hijo de El Mayo Zambada se presume inocente de cualquier delito y asegura haber recibido castigos crueles e inusuales, así como violaciones a sus derechos humanos y a su dignidad humana.

Sus abogados defensores han denunciado que El Vicentillo ha sido mantenido en aislamiento y se le ha negado cualquier contacto y todos los accesos a la población carcelaria en general.

fin

AZMEX EXTRA 24-3-14

AZMEX EXTRA 24 MAR 2014


Note: For locals and gunnies, things not even over in AP
Two more connected guys from Sinaloa with AK clones and a lot of ammo
What we have seen over past few years is the average home boy wannabe might have a pistol or rifle with 3 or 4 rounds.



Arrested with guns , magazines and tactical vests
Details Published on Monday March 24, 2014 ,
Written by Editor / The Journal
http://www.eldiariodesonora.com.mx/nota.php?nota=28753
Agua Prieta.

José Salvador Heredia Guerrero and Jesus David Acosta Ochoa are also identified as murderers .
Two subjects who presumably participated in the events of March 16 were arrested by the State Police Investigator, which at time of arrest were in possession of two rifles and a handgun, magazines and two tactical vests .
José Salvador Heredia Guerrero, 24 years old , and Jesus David Acosta Ochoa , 28 years old, both originally from Culiacan , Sinaloa and residing in the Pueblo Nuevo neighborhood, in the town of Agua Prieta.

It was March 16 , around 13:40 pm, when elements of knowledge that PEI had of Pizano Toscano , who had 20 years of age, had been injured by a projectile from a firearm in colony Nueva which had been transferred to a hospital in this city.
Researchers agents moved to that hospital , where they were able to interview the victim, who said that the incident occurred when he walked down the calle 17 avenida 6, being at that moment he felt a blow to the chest , failing to see who injured him. Toscano Pizano said that people who were on the spot in a particular transferred to the premises of the Red Cross and there vehicle was taken to the hospital. Hours later Isai Pizano ceased to exist while receiving medical attention.

By conducting a series of investigations , the agents were able to establish that PEI on the facts, the deceased was accompanied by Guerrero Heredia and Acosta Ochoa when injured and it was they who took him aboard a vehicle Cutlass , golden color , 1996 model to the Red Cross facilities .
So based on intelligence work were able to locate them , being yesterday around 17:00 hours when stopped at the time that circulated around calle 28, and Avenida 16, in the colony.

They were found in possession of two firearms caliber 7.62 x 39 mm , one of them with a drum magazine supplied with 68 rounds of ammunition , and the other assault rifle he was carrying a magazine supplied with 30 cartridges . Also, inspecting the vehicle found within it a .9 mm caliber pistol cartridges supplied with 15 rounds , two tactical vests black, each carrying three magazines for a AK- 47 , being a total 180 rounds of ammunition they had in those magazines.

The detainees, weapons, boots , cartridges and vehicle were turned over to the Public Prosecutor of the Common Jurisdiction In his ministerial statement said subjects noted that last March 16 were in the car in the company of Pizano Toscano and directed to sell .9 mm caliber pistol . they were secured. They added that to be maneuvering the gun, it went off injuring them are the now deceased , so immediately transferred to the Red Cross and then left the scene .

The Public Prosecutor of the Common Jurisdiction shall turn to the two subjects to the Deputy Public Prosecutor's Office for possession of guns and in the coming days entered for the murder of Pizano Toscano.

END



Note: Stuff coming from the SOUTH, and didn't remember Cd. Obregon having that much air traffic.

Guarding the airport Cd. Obregon, Son.
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2014 7:00
WRITTEN BY RPABLOS

Its function is to apply the "Federal Firearms and Explosives Law " why inspections to keep out weapons and drugs out of Ciudad Obregon.
By Rachel Garcia Vega

TRIBUNA DEL YAQUI

http://www.tribuna.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=619912:N2P1A&catid=6:general&Itemid=130

To combat organized crime and ensure greater security for visitors arriving in Ciudad Obregon a group of soldiers are guarding the facilities of Ciudad Obregón International Airport (AICO ) .

On a tour by TRIBUNA DEL YAQUI at the International Airport has talked to some soldiers who reported that their role is to apply the " Federal Law of Firearms and Explosives" , so they have to make inspections to keep out weapons and drugs Ciudad Obregón.

" What we have to check that everything is in order with both passengers and aircraft of different airlines or individual aircraft that daily come to Ciudad Obregon ," said one of the soldiers yesterday morning on duty at the place.

Reported that there is a group of 20 soldiers who are always looking out for the safety of avoiding in this way the entry of weapons and drugs to the city, which are distributed in different areas of the site, because a group to check the planes .

He announced that another group inspects airlines, a group of passengers arriving at the airport and watch the other security personnel perform AICO revisions to those passengers who will fly .

The young soldier who for security did not give his name, said that in the case of passengers arriving in Ciudad Obregon aboard aircraft carriers are randomly selected for inspection, because if I check on all persons would be much too slow , considering that on each flight travel more than 100 people.

For all the planes are reviewed and various methods are applied , he said.

Finally, he said that so far has not presented any incident as passengers know it could be dangerous to try to smuggle weapons or drugs in the city.

end




Sinaloa note;
Victim and others disarmament continues
In the past year the Ninth Military Zone took in;
403 "legal" firearms
269 firearms for military use only
342 grenades

end

Sunday, March 23, 2014

AZMEX SPECIAL 18-3-14

AZMEX SPECIAL 18 MAR 2014


Arizona senator unveils equipment for virtual border fence
By Mark Remillard
Originally published: Mar 18, 2014 - 5:29 pm
http://ktar.com/22/1714789/Arizona-senator-unveils-equipment-for-virtual-border-fence

SpotterRF spokesman Logan Harris displays a radar monitor that would be used to help monitor the border between Arizona and Mexico. Each compact unit can surveil up to 20 acres of land for drug and human trafficking. (KTAR Photo/Mark Remillard)

PHOENIX -- Republican State Sen. Bob Worsley unveiled Tuesday equipment that would be used to virtually monitor the border between Arizona and Mexico as part of a bill he's proposed in the Senate.

It's the second attempt at securing the border through means of a virtual fence and Worsley is calling for $30 million to construct 300 watch towers and radar transmitters that will monitor the border for drug and human trafficking and illegal crossing.

Worsley said he is a proponent of comprehensive immigration reform, but that cannot take place until the border is secure and there is quantifiable proof.

"What we're looking at here is the next step for immigration reform in this country," he said. "The states want to know that the border is secure before they're willing to go to the next level and address all of the other complicated issues we have with immigration in this country."

The system of watch towers and radar monitors would allow real-time access to law enforcement to intervene on drug and human trafficking, Worsley said. He added it could also be used a check on the work of law enforcement.

"We would be able to verify as a state that the federal government is in fact doing their job to secure our border," he said. "Ronald Reagan said, 'Trust but verify.'"

The monitoring equipment is being provided by a Utah company called SpotterRF, which manufactures compact surveillance radar.

"These are very small, lightweight radar systems, all solid state, very rugged," said company representative Logan Harris.

The small radar units are placed on top of towers and each one is capable of monitoring up to 20 acres.

"It's able to pick up anyone who is walking and send an alert back through many types of communications networks," he said.

Harris said their compact radar system is unique in that they use a small amount of power and only weigh about one-and-a-half pounds.

The radar provides GPS tracking of movement and the signal is then relayed to a network, which can then be used to program alert zones or geo-fences, said Harris. Then, while working in conjunction with a network of cameras, the radar can automatically pivot and point the camera systems to view whatever has tripped the radar alert.

"The camera points, takes a picture and relays that back through the network," said Harris.

There are still a lot of contingencies for the program to come to fruition, including the bill's passage through the legislature and governor's office, as well as deals that would need to be worked out with private, reserve and federal landowners to allow the towers to be placed on their property.

Worsley said no such deals have been proposed or approved at this time.

END



Dannels reveals some changes coming to CCSO
Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels was in Douglas Feb. 26 speaking with his officers about some changes coming to the CCSO this year. New cars with a new design, a helicopter plus a drone are some of the additions the CCSO will have in place by the end of the year.

Posted: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 10:38 am
Bruce Whetten | Douglas Dispatch |
Posted on Mar 12, 2014
by Trisha Maldonado
http://www.douglasdispatch.com/news/article_3ea8d704-aa0d-11e3-9199-001a4bcf887a.html

Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels was in Douglas Feb. 28 speaking to his deputies about some changes that will be coming to the CCSO in the coming months.
The meeting was part of Dannels' annual update and review with his various departments throughout CochiseCounty.
"These are exciting times," the sheriff said.
Since officially taking over as sheriff 14 months ago Dannels has been busy.

Some of the things that were accomplished in 2013 were the creation of the Border Interdiction Team which is responsible for investigation and intel gathering of crimes with a nexus to border issues and violence. The group works throughout CochiseCounty and not specifically on the U.S./Mexico Border. There was also the creation of the SABRE team which is comprised of multi agency personnel.
There were the creations of the ranch patrol as well as the ranch advisory group, a community outreach and public safety program, a detention officer pay plan was also implemented.

The CCSO was also recently equipped with 50 new radars, 40 tasers, 120 Glock handguns and a new boat which will be used for swift water rescue by the Search and Rescue team.

Looking ahead to 2014, the CCSO will be adding a helicopter and a drone which will be stationed out of Sierra Vista in addition to several new patrol cars which have a new design and not have the top lights that are currently on there.
Dannels said the helicopter is being paid for and sustained, out of a foundation grant and includes the pilots, the mechanic, the fuel and the insurance.
The main use of the helicopter will be to respond to high risk events, such as tracking down a shooting suspect or deploying medical personnel in remote areas of the county, the sheriff added.
A new armored vehicle was also purchased which is larger than the current Bearcat vehicle. The new armored vehicle will be used for SWAT and Special Operations.

A drug and alcohol testing program was also implemented. Dannels said he, just like any other officer in his department, will be subject to testing.
"If I expect you to do something then I need to do it too," the sheriff said.
There is also modifications being made to the physical fitness standards forcing employees to conform to state standards.
The Bisbee detention facility is being remodeled to add more housing for special handling such as juveniles and those suffering from a mental ailment.
Dannels also announced the Circle K Corporation is dedicating space in each of their stores for deputies to have a place to establish a computer connection to complete reports or administrative workflow while positively interacting with the public.
A new youth consequence program is also being established which will be directed at youth in the community who are at high risk of poor decision making.
There is also modifications being made to the Sex Offender Registration program which will allow for warrants to be issued for anyone listed as an absconder.

Dannels also announced significant upgrades which will be made to the communications system.
"By the end of this year … the VHF system in CochiseCounty will be the best its ever been," the sheriff said. "We have 560 brand new Motorola mobiles and portables that we've acquired."

Dannels emphasized all the changes and improvements are being done through grants and foundation money.
"None of it is being done through tax payer dollars," the sheriff said.

It is the mission of the Cochise County Sheriff's Office to provide professional, high quality and effective law enforcement and correctional services in partnership with the community.
"We are committed to the protection of life and property; the preservation of peace, order, and safety; the vigorous enforcement of local and state laws; and the defense of the constitution of the state of Arizona and the constitution of the United States of America in a fair and impartial manner," the CCSO mission statement reads.

END

Saturday, March 22, 2014

AZMEX UPDATE 22-3-14

AZMEX UPDATE 22 MAR 2013


Note: if our media buddies at AP had been reading the AZMEX reports or Mexican media, they would know there have been about a dozen or so killings in the immediate Lukeville / Sonoyta area over the past two or three months. But these last seven were about 40 miles to the east. Also not to forget the five found on the res back in May of last year. About 25 miles north of the latest incident. This has been a major route for a very long time. BTW, also quite interesting how quickly the story disappeared from local media.

end




Killing of 7 marks rise of Mexico drug corridor
Posted: Mar 21, 2014 12:34 PM MST
Updated: Mar 21, 2014 3:26 PM MST

HERMOSILLO, Mexico (AP) -- The massacre of seven men near the Mexico-Arizona border came in a previously quiet area increasingly used as a drug-trafficking corridor, and a U.S. expert said Friday the attack in the newly valuable territory could be the work of rivals of the once-dominant Sinaloa cartel trying to exploit the arrest of the gang's leader.

Analysts have expected rival cartels to try to move in on Sinaloa territory in response to the Feb. 22 capture of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and the apparent death in December of one of his top lieutenants in a shootout with federal police.

The ambush-style attack this week happened in a rural area near Sonoyta, Mexico, close to the U.S. border crossing at Lukeville, Arizona. The crossing is frequently used by U.S. travelers to reach the Gulf of California beach town of Puerto Penasco.

The seven men apparently were attacked by rival drug traffickers as they delivered drugs. Their bodies were found inside or near a pickup truck Wednesday night. Authorities say an eighth man was found wounded on a nearby hill and he told state police the victims had just dropped off marijuana Tuesday when gunmen opened fire with automatic rifles on their pickup truck.

All of the men are believed to have been from the state of Sinaloa, the home of Guzman's cartel.

Anthony Coulson, retired head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's office in Tucson, Arizona, said the attack could be the start of a turf war between another gang and the Sinaloa cartel.

With Guzman in custody and top lieutenant Gonzalo Inzunza possibly dead, "you have a territory in dispute ... a key important territory," he said.

"Who controls that corner controls how trafficking goes into California, which was a Chapo Guzman stronghold that he took over from the Arellano Felix organization," Coulson said. "That's a key strategic point, because of such a huge uptick of trafficking into Southern California."

There is little doubt that despite the area's relatively calm reputation, it had become a major trafficking corridor for Sinaloa.

In December, Puerto Penasco was the scene of an hours-long gunbattle between cartel gunmen and federal police who were trying to catch Inzunza. Government Blackhawk helicopters fired on at least 10 vehicles trying to flee a luxury beach condo complex during the firefight. No tourists or residents were injured, but five gunmen were killed.

Inzunza's body was not found at the scene, but federal officials said they believed he had been shot and carried by fleeing gunmen, as cartel gunmen sometimes do with fallen gang members or leaders.

Local officials denied Inzunza operated out of the resort, but federal police said later that Inzunza had "set up his center of operations in Puerto Penasco" to run drug-trafficking networks.

The resort is in Sonora state, which has been relatively free of the drug violence that has plagued other northern border states. The Sinaloa cartel may have chosen the area as a base because other border areas are under the control of rival cartels or feeling the effects of government crackdowns.

Raul Benitez, a security expert at Mexico's National Autonomous University, said that "Puerto Penasco is an area with a lot of movement, a lot of traffic, and it's perfect for setting up a corridor to sell cocaine, heroin or marijuana and ship it into the United States." As the Mexican government tries to shut off the other big corridors in Texas and California, "the Sonora corridor was the one left for the Sinaloa cartel," he said.

It appears at least one other gang is now trying to move in on the corridor.

Mexican law enforcement officials declined to say who was behind this week's mass killing, but Coulson said it might be the Beltran Leyva gang, which controlled the area around Mexicali to the east before two of its top gang leaders were arrested or killed.

"My best guess is this is the Beltran Leyvas trying to re-establish control in Sonora," Coulson said.

Associated Press writer Felipe Larios reported this story in Hermosillo and Mark Stevenson reported from Mexico City.

Read more: Killing of 7 marks rise of Mexico drug corridor - FOX 10 News | myfoxphoenix.com

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/25040512/killing-of-7-marks-rise-of-mexico-drug-corridor#ixzz2wegKVsJ0




Lukeville crossing unsettlingly close to killing of 7 in Sonora
8 hours ago
By Felipe Larios The Associated Press

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/border/lukeville-crossing-unsettlingly-close-to-killing-of-in-sonora/article_d5c9342c-9d53-53ed-a226-879bf47fcfcc.html

HERMOSILLO, Mexico — The shooting deaths of seven men near the Mexico-Arizona border dramatize what appears to be an escalating use of the once-calm stretch of border as a drug trafficking corridor.

The seven men apparently were ambushed by rival drug traffickers in a rural area near Sonoyta, Mexico, close to the U.S. border crossing at Lukeville, Ariz., and their bodies were found inside a pickup truck Wednesday night, a day after the killings.

The crossing is frequently used by U.S. travelers to reach the Gulf of California beach town of Puerto Peñasco, commonly known as Rocky Point.

Authorities said Thursday that an eighth man was found wounded on a hill, and he told state police the victims had just dropped off marijuana when gunmen opened fire with automatic rifles on their pickup truck.

All of the men are believed to have been from the state of Sinaloa, home of the drug cartel by the same name.

In December, Puerto Peñasco was the scene of an hours-long gunbattle between drug cartel gunmen and federal police who were trying to detain Gonzalo Inzunza, a top lieutenant of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Government Black Hawk helicopters opened fire on at least 10 vehicles trying to flee a luxury beach condo complex. No tourists or residents were injured, but five gunmen were killed.

Local officials denied that Inzunza operated out of the resort, but later federal police said Inzunza had "set up his center of operations in Puerto Peñasco" to run drug-trafficking networks. Inzunza's body was not found at the scene, and federal officials said they believed the fleeing gunmen took his dead or wounded body with them, as cartel gunmen sometimes do with fallen gang members or leaders.

The resort is located in Sonora state, which has been relatively free of the drug violence that has plagued other northern border states. The Sinaloa Cartel may have chosen the Sonora-Arizona area as a base because other border areas are under the control of rival cartels or feeling the effects of government crackdowns.

Raul Benitez, a security expert at Mexico's National Autonomous University, said that "Puerto Peñasco is an area with a lot of movement, a lot of traffic, and it's perfect for setting up a corridor to sell cocaine, heroin or marijuana and ship it into the United States." As the Mexican government tries to shut off the other big corridors in Texas and California, Benitez noted, "the Sonora corridor was the one left for the Sinaloa Cartel."

However, it now appears some other gang is also trying to move in on the corridor, or defend it against the Sinaloa Cartel's incursion.

Law enforcement officials have not said which gangs they believe were involved in this week's killings.

end

Thursday, March 20, 2014

AZMEX UPDATE 21-3-14

AZMEX UPDATE 21 MAR 2014

For locals: About 40 or so miles east of Sonoyta. El Ejemplo is about 12 miles south of the border, Between Lukeville and Sasabe The La Lesna range runs from the peak about 5 miles north of the border to about 4 miles south

Links in Spanish
http://www.elimparcial.com/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Policiaca/20032014/821910-Deja-tiroteo-7-muertos-y-4-heridos-en-Caborca.html

http://diariodeldesierto.com.mx/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6877&Itemid=44

http://www.laperladeldesierto.blogspot.com/2014/03/siete-muertos-balazos-cerca-de-la-linea.html

7 dead, 4 wounded, so far. El Ejemplo is about 12 miles south, along the wash that runs into the Tohono O'odam res south of Papago Farms & SW of Tatkum Vo. Recovered 4 magazines for AK & AR with 89 rounds, and bodies in and around a 2005 Chevy pickup. (from the one photo didn't notice any bullet holes in the truck) Most from Sinaloa. (quite a few from Sinaloa have expired in the Sonoyta area in past couple months. Early (very) word on the street is that it was a disciplinary action.

end




Sonora police: 7 killed near Arizona border
1 hour ago • Joseph Trevino Arizona Daily Star
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/border/sonora-police-killed-near-arizona-border/article_abec7bc4-b091-11e3-af19-0019bb2963f4.html

Mexican authorities are investigating the killing of seven people near the Arizona border.

The men were shot to death and an eighth man was wounded on a hill called Las Agujas, which is located in an area called Ejido Los Ejemplos, near Sonoyta, close to the border crossing at Lukeville, Sonora's state police said in a news release.

The bullet-riddled bodies were found about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday inside a gray, 2005 Chevrolet pick-up truck.

The lone survivor was Francisco Saúl Hernández Ramírez, according to the Policía Estatal Investigadora, Sonora's state police. The names of the other men were Jesús Alejandro Virrueta Ramírez, 29, Porfirio Cortes Ramos, 23, José Alexis Niebla García, 22 and Miguel Castillo Lugo, 28. The remaining four have not been identified.

All were believed to have been from the state of Sinaloa.
Police released no information about a motive in the attack.

end




7 killed on the Arizona Mexico border
http://www.kvoa.com/news/7-killed-on-the-arizona-mexico-border/

Seven people were found murdered Wednesday night in what a U.S. federal law enforcement source who spoke to KVOA News 4 Investigators called an ambush. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

The killings happened about one hour's drive east of the Lukeville-Sonoyta border town region. Sources said the murders occurred up near the U.S.-Mexico border near Las Agujas Peak in Sonora.

The U.S. State Department's Consul office in Nogales, Sonora, has not put out any sort of alert or warning for U.S. travelers headed to Mexico. The consulate in Nogales last put out a mildly worded warning in January following a series of shootings and killings in Agua Prieta, Sonora.

The law enforcement source who spoke with KVOA said he doubts any alert will be issued because the killings happened in such a remote region of the border. He said the killings appear to be related to organized crime. The Sonora State Police declined to answer questions about the investigation and only publicly referenced the killings after KVOA called seeking information. In a release sent late Thursday, the agency said four of the victims were from Sinaloa. One victim still alive is in critical condition.

The federal law enforcement source said the killings were related to organized crime.

END



Seven shot dead NEAR LINE WITH THE UNITED STATES
Thursday, March 20, 2014
http://www.laperladeldesierto.blogspot.com/2014/03/siete-muertos-balazos-cerca-de-la-linea.html

By: Rafael Leon Pineda

Caborca ​​, Sonora. A total of seven bodies were picked up the morning of Thursday in the vicinity of the Sierra La Lesna , in known as las agujas located in the boundary of the municipality of Caborca ​​and Sonoyta , one kilometer from the dividing line with the United States , attended by authorities to take note of the bloody event .

Of the seven , some were identified as Miguel and / or Misael Castillo Lugo, José Alexis Mists Garcia and Arnoldo Perea Camacho , 27, 22 and 38 years respectively , all from Culiacan , Sinaloa , but residing in this city Caborca ​​and Virrueta Alejandro Ramirez , 29, and Porfirio Ramos Cortes , 23 .

While the other remaining bodies carried no identification , so that their identity is unknown expected to be claimed by relatives.

The tragic event was recorded on Tuesday 18 March when corporations were alerted about a shootout in the El Cozón , a gap that leads to the dividing line , near the ejido El Ejemplo .

It was not until Wednesday afternoon , after 24 hours of searching in that desert region on the part of the police forces , where they managed to find a pick up truck , gray cabin, mid- , late-model , where the bodies were found people were shot dead , some of which were on the car and just meters from the other place .

It was also reported that a person was able to be found alive Saul Hernandez identified as Francisco Ramirez , 25 , who is in a hospital in the city of Puerto Peñasco, where he remains under police custody.

The victims were involved in drug transfer , depending on the version of the injured person , who mentioned that they returned from delivering the drugs in the vicinity of the line when they were surprised by heavily armed subjects who after the crime managed to flee .

According to the statement issued by the State Police Investigator , no weapons were found at the site , rather than shell casings for heavy weapons such as 7.62 and .223 , used by rifles known as AK -47 and AR -15 with presumed victims had died at the Altar desert sector.

The bodies found in the amphitheater of a particular funeral of Caborca ​​and is expected to be claimed by their relatives during the next few hours , so the authorities are already investigating the matter , as announced through a press release by the Attorney General in the State.

end

AZMEX LOCAL 17-3-14

AZMEX LOCAL 17 MAR 2014

Note: mostly computer english Caborca, Son. south of AZ on a main smuggling route, leading north through the Altar Valley. About couple hours south. Caborca has also had a recent outbreak of numerous AIDS / HIV cases. Probably spread by the drug and human traffickers taking R&R in the town.


UPDATE: said to be 32 people exposed and being treated


PUMA LION ATTACKING A PERSON - IN CABORCA
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
IGNACIO " EL WACHON " ZAVALA , ATTACKED BY A FIERA
+ more images at www.facebook.com / laperladeldesierto

By: Rafael Leon Pineda
http://www.laperladeldesierto.blogspot.com/2014/03/ataca-leon-puma-una-persona-en-caborca.html

Caborca ​​, Sonora. The Tuesday morning a person was attacked by a wild animal in the stables located in charro Grove , where the victim was a battle to defend and make it out safe from the fierce animal that caused at least 16 injuries to his body.

Ignacio Zavala Rúelas , known as "the wachon " 53, is pedestal in these stables located west of the city , I hear the relinchidos and kicking one of the horses , which led him to wake up to see what was happening little before 5 am on Tuesday .

Addressing the stable whence came the noise of horses, found the wild beast , which to be cornered lunged at Zavala Rúelas , getting hurt on his arm when he tried to defend himself , leaving a small battle for survival between the person and the cat , followed by cries for help to be his arm bleeding bites the beast , which ensures it is a lion or puma Sonora , typical of the desert region.

"I heard noises in the barn and when I went to see that one of the horses kicked , I saw the lion, which average about three feet high that was launched against me and started biting me and then I try to get to safety, if not for bitch when I hear my cries ran to frighten the animal and the two were fighting up outside the stables , "said the Wachon .

The screams of the victim to be badly injured , woke people close to the stables who gave notice to the Red Cross came to provide first aid and then move to General Hospital, where he was evaluated medically and was discharged hours later event after corroborating the doctors had no serious injuries , unless provoked bites on his right arm .

The beast , which so far is not known exactly whether it is a wild cat, lion or puma Sonora , also managed to wound one of the horses , like the German Shepherd dog scared away the wild beast towards the outskirts city ​​, on the west side , where presumably boarding is between Mount , which threatens someone of that sector of the city can suffer attack again.

Knowing wildlife insure the animal and near the city, could be some feline who has been in captivity in any home and has escaped in search of food , and when you reach the stables attacked him first was found.

" The instinct to hunt and kill is never lost in captive animals , so care must be taken not to escape because they are animals that feed on a daily basis , and know instinctively hunt , but to attack the first victim to find , so it should be more care , "said Enrique " chacho " Zepeda a hunter of cats in the region with over 40 years experience .

It is believed that the beast after its deadly attack on a person and a horse, besides attacking the dog that chased , may have admitted between vegetation around the city , so also in the case of an animal in captivity by not some fear the bustle of the city , compared to a wild animal that could hardly be admitted to the city to achieve its attack such as occurred this morning .

Residents of colonies located west of the city have been alerted to the event and see if the cat prowling fences immediately give notice to the authorities through the 066 to achieve capture and confirm the exact type of feline that attacked a person this morning .

END


ATTACK TWO PEOPLE IN CABORCA
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
By: Rafael Leon Pineda
http://www.laperladeldesierto.blogspot.com/2014/03/atrapan-fiera-que-ataco-dos-personas-en.html

Caborca ​​, Sonora. A little over 24 hours after a first attack of a beast in this city , the animal turned to attack a person when hovered near the city dump , where achievement be sacrificed for the municipal police when they were about to be be recorded another victim .

It was at 6:20 am on Wednesday when he received the call in the police headquarters on a wound to be bitten by a cat in the city dump , where to get them pointed where the beast who was minutes before I attack a woman.

Agents to go after the wild animal, this attempted attack again , so in reaction to safeguard their integrity they shot feline who died almost instantly.

The latest victim , a woman, was taken to a hospital for medical attention to apply appropriate immunizations , while the cat was taken to the courts of the municipal headquarters where the arrival of a veterinarian to conduct research is expected and determine that does not carry any disease.

This animal matches the features provided by the first victim, Ignacio Zavala Ruelas , besides lacking the punch that left him in their first attack, where in addition to the two people who were attacked in the last 24 hours , also attacked a horse and a dog.

END


COUGAR THAT ATTACKED PEOPLE HAD RABIES
Friday, March 14, 2014

http://www.laperladeldesierto.blogspot.com/2014/03/puma-que-ataco-personas-tenia-la-rabia.html

By: Rafael Leon Pineda
Caborca ​​, Sonora. After conducting studies brain cougar that attacked two people in the State of Sonora Epidemiology Center , it was determined that this was a carrier of the rabies virus, which was triggered a series of application of vaccines to all people and animals who had contact with the cat .

It was at about noon on Friday when he received in Caborca ​​, from Hermosillo, pathology results that were performed to cougar was euthanized after attacking two people and a few animals in Caborca ​​, so be warned that any person I've had contact with the cat acudiera Health Center to start with the application of dose rabies .

The first to go were the policemen who killed the animal after the attempted attack , as to raise the body without any protection patrol , you run the risk of being transmitted rabies virus which was carrying the cat ; subsequently reporters and onlookers , who had attended the hospital 's approach to be vaccinated , as is the practice staff to necropsy.

He immediately made ​​a call to all the people who had contact with the animal after being slaughtered and people were attacked which to them immediately applied the rabies vaccine , as well as the animals that were victim of the beast , said the municipal veterinarian rabies center Caborca ​​, Adrian Oviedo.

Once confirmed on the rabies virus which was carrying the animal, a raid to begin vaccinating dogs and colonies where landfill went prowling puma before attacking the two began , so from reporting Friday launched the community at large to take their pets to the Municipal Pound to apply the rabies vaccine , which is free, and so gradually discard the possibility of spreading the rabies virus .

Regarding the Puma was the best decision the I have sacrificed , even more now that we know that was a carrier of rabies, so the remains were transferred to the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection who continue research regarding the cougar that attacked people and a dog and a horse , said wildlife experts .

END

AZMEX EXTRA 20-3-14

AZMEX EXTRA 20 MAR 2014

New trial for NM gun smugglers overturned
Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2014 9:21 am



DEMING, N.M. (AP) — A federal appeals court has denied a new trial for a New Mexico family convicted of gun smuggling.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed a lower court's decision that ordered a new trial for Deming couple Rick Reese and Terri Reese and their son, Ryin Reese.

U.S. District Court Judge Robert C. Brack granted the defense request in February 2013 because prosecutors failed to disclose that a key prosecution witness, Luna County sheriff's investigator Alan Batts, was himself under criminal investigation.

They argued the information would have allowed them to challenge his credibility.
Subjects of the Batts investigation included allegations of theft of money from a drug dealer, working with Mexican drug traffickers and assisting with immigrant smuggling.
No charges have ever been filed against him.

But the federal appeals court said the trial's outcome likely would have not have changed.
"We conclude there is not a reasonable probability that the outcome of defendants' trial would have been different had the government disclosed" the investigation, the appeals court wrote.

A jury convicted the three in August 2012 of making false statements on federal firearms-sales forms. They were acquitted of most of the charges that they sold weapons to Mexican drug cartels.

END