BROWNSVILLE, TX—Jose Luis Zuniga-Hernandez, 46, aka Wicho or XW or Commandante Wicho, has entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to import more than five kilograms of cocaine and
more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana between January 2002 and July 2013, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. As part of his plea, he has also agreed to a $5 million forfeiture. His brother, Armando Arizmendi Hernandez, 37, aka Commandante Mando or XW2, entered the same plea and agreed forfeiture on Tuesday, March 25, 2014.
Zuniga-Hernandez served as plaza
boss of the El Control, Tamaulipas, Plaza, and during that time, Arizmendi
Hernandez was second in command. Arizmendi-Hernandez became the plaza boss on
November 6, 2010, when Zuniga-Hernandez assumed control of the Matamoros Plaza
upon the death of Antonio Ezequiel Cardenas-Guillen. On March 28, 2011, Rafael
Cardenas-Vela came to Matamoros to take over the plaza management duties and
Zuniga-Hernandez returned to the El Control Plaza. At that time,
Arizmendi-Hernandez resumed his duties as second in command of the Plaza.
Cartel Del Golfo Transnational
Criminal Organization (CDG) plaza bosses are appointed to specific regions to
help coordinate the importation and distribution of multi-ton shipments of
cocaine, marijuana, and other illicit narcotics within Mexico and into the
United States. They are the lead representatives for the CDG in a particular
region or town, responsible for maintaining control of the region and ensuring
the safe passage of narcotics. The plaza boss also extracts a “piso,” or
payment, from others who want to transport narcotics for importation into the
United States or operate businesses in that region.
Zuniga-Hernandez received
marijuana shipments from the states of Durango and Michoacán, Mexico, purchased
at $60 per kilogram in Mexico and sold at $130 per kilogram in the U.S.
Zuniga-Hernandez indicated the CDG smuggled more than one ton of cocaine
through the Matamoros/El Control plaza areas and into the United States per
month. Planes and clandestine air strips were used to fly the cocaine into
Mexico for later importation and distribution within the United States.
Under his command were approximately
120 lookouts and 60 estacas. An estaca is a vehicle occupied by three or four
armed individuals.
On October 27, 2011,
Zuniga-Hernandez and Arizmendi Hernandez fled into the United States with Juan
Rincon-Rincon and Luis Ivan Nino-Duenes after a gun battle in Mexico involving
a power struggle between the plazas of the CDG. All were found and arrested by
the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) hiding near the Rio Grande River. Upon their
arrest, agents found a gold, diamond, and ruby encrusted gun; more than
$39,000; and several cell phones.
Evidence on those phones showed
discussions with “Apa” about the gun battle and what to do in response. Apa was
identified as Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez, the head of the CDG. Also found
were videos of Arizmendi Hernandez, Zuniga-Hernandez, and other members of the
CDG in preparation for and after the October 27, 2011 gun battle.
Zuniga-Hernandez and Arizmendi
Hernandez have stipulated that the total relevant conduct during their
leadership was well in excess of 150 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms
of marijuana. Both have agreed they obtained at least $5 million in drug
proceeds as a result of the conspiracy.
They face a mandatory minimum
sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. Both will be sentenced
before U.S. District Court Judge Hilda G. Tagle on June 30, 2014.
Source: FBI Press Release
Imma b fresh as hell when da feds watch.
ReplyDeleteThe $39 housand dollars is subject to seizure without any plea deal as is the ridiculous weapon. I hope that those assets are not part of the $5 million forfeiture. My question: how will they get the $5 mil each to the U.S.govt.? Property and vehicles used in these crimes are also already subject to forfeiture before any plea deal. Inquiring minds want to know.
ReplyDeleteHere is an article about 10 zeta kidnappers being killed in a shoot out..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/International/2014/Mar-28/251536-mexico-police-soldiers-kill-10-alleged-kidnappers.ashx#axzz2xGcB6cJE
no news out of Tamps. Do know New Mayor of Matamores is do a good job. Tourist are safe to go back,
ReplyDeleteSo these where the guys that fled the internal conflict. Smart for them but I don"t know Costilla sees this or the rest of the CDG. Better offf to stay neutral in the battle. Anywsys, good he was captured and be dealt with the American jistice system. Does anyone knowbif he ran kidnapping for ransom rackets? If he did I hope he rots in jail. I have always said to give proper punishment to "good" and "bad" criminals based on how many innocent lives he has affected.
ReplyDeleteNo kidnapping people for ransom the plaza he ran was his hometown "control" as it was engraved on his gun his son is married to my cousin e was loyal to his boss but was caught in the middle of the power struggle so he could not stay neutral he chose to be loyal to coss so all the matamoros people as well as marion pelons people were after him taking bout close to 600 men he had no choice but to flee or die n he chose to flee to atleast still see his family
DeleteHe kidnapped for ransom to steal property or just plain for the hell of it mostly people in the drug trafficking. Sure he's loyal that's why he's ratting on who ever they ask. Just remember when they killed all his people. He wasn't much just kissed a lot of balls to Coss, pelon, Carden as fam. Look where it got him & el junior osiel s nephew also spilling the beans just like his uncle.
DeleteNo new friends no no no
ReplyDeleteMy name is XW2 -1099 -W2-W9 - IRS Or XW9XXRXOPPTDDD eeeeeee ay !! Does that make me a bad ass ?
ReplyDeleteOrale! Cool name! My other name is WD-40. -El Nemesis
DeleteGreat update. Freaking nut job gets what's coming to him!
ReplyDeleteWe wicho a Merry Christmas and a happy new year
ReplyDelete"Orale! Cool name! My other name is WD-40. -El Nemesis"
ReplyDeleteLol dude
Los tejanos de houston son jotos e imitan alos negros
ReplyDeleteY los pendejos comoutu que llegan a houston le tienen miedo a los negros y buscan a la misma raza pa que los ayude con el jale! To
ReplyDeleteNo mijo aqui en l.a. no son como ustds aqui no hay miedo como alla
Delete