Omar Espejo from CJNG Detained

Tanslated from a Milenio article for Borderland Beat

Omar Espejo Flores aka " El Toro" now confined in El Rincon prison in Nayarit

The Attorney General of the Republic (PGR) , in coordination with the Marines , arrested Omar Espejo Flores , " El Toro", an alleged operator for Cartel Jalisco Neuvo Generacion, he is presumably responsible for the disappearance of two members of the Agencies criminal investigation department (AIC) , in Vista Hermosa Michoacán in November 2013.
 

Tomás Zerón, director of the AIC of the PGR, reported that Espejo Flores was coordinating the Halcones  and groups of Hitmen in the Jalisco municipalities of Ocotlán and La Barca, Briseñas; He also did it in the michoacana town of Vista Hermosa.

Other criminal activities in which  El Toro was involved, was the collection of piso ( extortion ), oil theft and drugs.The official said that the detainee was involved in the kidnapping and disappearance of agents René Rojas Marquez and Gabriel JAWS Santiago,  on November 3, 2013, in Vista Hermosa.

To date the whereabouts of these two personnel of the Agency is unknown, they were searched for in clandestine graves that were discovered at La Barca.

Last year, the Office of the Attorney-General found 64 corpses in 35 clandestine graves in the municipality of La Barca, as part of the search for the Federal Police,the work concluded almost a month later.

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Chiquillo Antrax gunned down in Culiacán

Lucio Borderland Beat Information from Noroeste and YouTube

Antonio Avendaño, "El Chiquillo Ántrax", of the Sinaloa Cartel, enforcer group Antrax was gunned down in the Sinaloa city of Culiacan in Colinas de San Miguel.

It was just before the midnight hour that Avendaño was gunned down, while driving on Cerro del Vigía Street, in a 2015 MiniCooper yellow orange color, without plates.

He was pinned in between two cars that open fire, causing Avendaño to strike and carom off of three vehicles in front of a home in full Christmas celebration.

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stopping by sending you the best holiday wishes....

chivis

Two of my all time favorite posada photos.  Santa always arrives on a firetruck, and the foto below is a shot of a lil guy in a wheelchair when he spots Santa and the firetruck....PRICELESS!!!

This year I was able to provide over 1000 children with posada fun.  For most it is one of the few highlights of the year.  We also provided gifts for impoverished children, we requested that schools  provide a wish list for children who more than likely would not receive a special gift at Christmas.  many asked for things such as shoes and jackets.  and we did not forget the migrants in the casa migrante shelters.  We sent gifts of clothing, candy and phone cards, and provided Christmas dinners.  My project continues, that honors the 72 migrants slaughtered in San Fernando Tamps.  Anyone wishing  to become involved or begin their own project, just email me, I will help you get started.

I encourage you to get involved next year, donate, find a charity, ask me if you want a recommendation.  It's a wonderful thing, and for one day we can feel good that we were able to do something and bring a little happiness to the children and the forgotten of Mexico.  

Merry Christmas to all and to all a fantastic night...............................cheers, Chivis

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Merry Chrismas but Lest We Forget, MEXICO STILL MOURNS

Borderland Beat by DD with material from Mexico Voices

I join Spike in wishing everyone A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and WONDERFUL NEW YEAR.  But in this time of celebration and brotherly love for our fellow man, let us not

forget                                                                     

Mexico Still Mourns

By Guadalupe Loaeza

I am wondering if Peña Nieto’s government is aware to what degree the disappearance of the 43 teachers college students has permeated Mexican society. I imagine that many of them no longer have the head, right now, to think about such traumatic things; others will follow the advice of their boss. That’s to say, get over the Ayotzinapa tragedy. And I won't fault anyone whose only concern these days is to watch his back. Many will be without a job in 2015.

As I do every year, last Sunday I took my grandchildren to see “The Nutcracker” at the National Theater. Once seated, I gave myself a task: to watch all the people filled with holiday cheer as they entered the theater to admire the last performance of Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, the music of which is so familiar to us that even the most ignorant can recall a fragment. Most of the attendees were children and adolescents, bundled up and accompanied by their families. The atmosphere inside the enormous auditorium, with space for 10,000 people, was festive and Christmassy.

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Attacks on Priest Continues

Missing Priest, Rev. Gregorio Lopez Gorostieta

Borderland Beat posted by DD from AP,  ABC News and Sin Embargo

Dozens of Roman Catholic priests and hundreds of parishioners marched through the southern Mexico city of Ciudad Altamirano on Wednesday to demand the release of a kidnapped priest and protest a series of kidnappings, killings and robberies of priests.

The marchers were led by Bishop Maximino Martinez and about 30 white-robed priests. They called for the release of the Rev. Gregorio Lopez Gorostieta, who apparently was kidnapped from a local seminary early Monday morning by a group of four armed persons who entered the Catholic seminary that morning.

Bishop Maximino Martinez

On Monday when the Bishop issued the call for the Wednesday march, the church also used social media to spread the message;

“To the whole people of God on pilgrimage to the diocese of Ciudad Altamirano, they are told of the disappearance of the father Gregorio Lopez Gorostieta, on the night of Sunday December 21, so at this time what is important is to unite us all in prayer with the confidence that he is okay. If anyone has information that can help locate him please call the seminar”.

In his call for the faithful to join the march, he also said called for an end to the violence in Tierra Caliente and for the release of Father Gregorio.  He also said he does not think that there is any direct problem against the priests, in spite of the cases that have happened in last years, “ because we devote ourselves to serve the people either God, to preach the gospel, we do not do anything more, our work is the redemption of the person ”.

He added that "on the occasion of Christmas, it is very important that we manifest in the march that we call for peace for our country, and to set aside all this atmosphere of violence".

"Enough Already!" and "Return Father Gregorio!" read banners carried by the marchers, who sang hymns as they marched to the city's cathedral.

"Enough, is the cry of all the bishops of Mexico and the diocese.  Enough of those who provoke lawlessness, corruption, impunity of complicity and indifference while all they have done to provoke violence, fear and disappearance, 'the document says.

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Castillo gets rid of the Apatzingan rural police

El Diario.mx (December 23, 2014) Source: Reforma. Translated by un vato for Borderland Beat

Self defense forces occupy Apatzingan government building

APATZINGAN.- Only a few months after starting operations, the Rural Police (Fuerza Rural) today ceased performing public safety functions in Apatzingan and Buenavista Tomatlan.

Federal Commissioner Alfredo Castillo reported that after this afternoon, the Army and Federal Police will be totally in charge of security in those locations. The same measure, he said, will be applied in the community of La Mira, Lazaro Cardenas municipality.

"The Mexican Army and the Federal Police will assume total control of security in three specific localities: in the municipality of Apatzingan, in the community known as La Ruana, Buenavista municipality, and in the community of La Mira," he indicated.

In a press conference, he pointed out that of the more than 20 communities in which the Rural Police (program) has been implemented, this measure only involves three localities. "They are three places where the (rural police) members and/or the former self defense forces did not understand the importance of respecting institutions and  of fostering an environment of calm and social tranquility", he declared.

Castillo lamented that groups exist that have interests other than stability and development of the state. "Specifically, there are special interests disguised as self defense forces ("autodefensas") that are fighting for control of Apatzingan, and other groups that are fighting over leadership in their region to try to establish narcotics laboratories or to take control of the minerals," he charged.

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Activist is beaten, her brother killed and her house burned by mayor and municipal police

Borderland Beat posted and translated by DD republished from Sin Embargo

DD note;   It doesn’t just happen  in Guerrero.

The home of activist Elisa Zepeda was burned.

 On Dec. 14^th, In the municipality Eloxochitlán de Flores Magon, Oaxaca, during an Assembly to elect a mayor, human right  activist  Elisa Zepeda Lagoon was struck by a stick, dragged 20 meters by her  hair, whipped and kicked.   In the attack  her  brother, Manuel Zepeda Lagunas, was murdered and  his mother turned out to be hurt and her house and her mothers set on fire,  detailed the National Commission of Human rights (CNDH). 

According to the testimony of the victim, she was attacked for “meddling in the affairs of the people ”

 The CNDH denounced the attack and issued a statement which says that it is investigating the facts.

“Allegedly, the Mayor Alfredo Bolaños licensed Pacheco and three other men,  threatened her with a shotgun placed to her head.  beat her with a stick, dragged her 20 meters by her hair, beating her to the ground and kicking her in the ribs'.  ”.

The agency said the attackers went to the home of the Mazatec activist to burn it with petrol bombs and arrested her brother, Manuel Zepeda Lagunas. Then he was taken to the public square to torture and kill, without any authority intervening to contain the violence.

The commission said that the investigations will follow up promptly, monitor the performance of the Attorney General of Oaxaca to investigate those responsible and punished according to law, and in due course issue a determination in accordance with applicable law.

The Witness Testimony

 "Women and men came together at 11:00 am near the municipal park, but minutes later we heard screams of men who approached the park. There were about 100 men who were armed with machetes, sticks, guns, rockets and Molotov cocktails, "said Elisa told local media.

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La Tuta Orchestrated the Attack Against Hippolitos Moras People : Padre Goyo

Translated for Borderland Beat

La Tuta Orchestrated the attack on the people of Hipolito Mora : Father Goyo

Morelia, Michoacan.-in Michoacan, Government to Government "they were the power, they were the hands", said the priest Gregorio López better known as "Father Goyo", ensuring that who controls security there, remains Servando Gómez alias La Tuta.

Who controls the State ? said father Goyo, "it is someone more superior than the Government, it is la Tuta", he declared after the attack last December 18 against the people of Hipólito Mora, former leader of self-defense for Ruana and who confirmed that they were people of "El Americano".

"It is a very strong message, all of this was orchestrated by him La Tuta , this confrontation between these same paramilitaries was a Machiavellian plan determined by the Tuta", he said in an interview with CB Webclergyman.

The attack where eleven people were killed, including the son of Hipólito Mora, "you have the background of a settling of scores," said father Goyo, Castillo ensured that "a number of criminals were uniformed" during insertion of the AUC in the rural forces in Michoacan State after he was made Commissioner of security in the region.

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Just prior to shooting him, Iguala Mayor tells activist: 'I will take pleasure in killing you'

The body of social activist, who witnesses testified was assassinated by Iguala Mayor Abarca

I was asked to consider re-posting post.  It was written on October 8, 2014, a week after the Iguala attacks and before the story of Iguala went viral around the world.  The article is now even more pertinent  in understanding the history of the region and Iguala specifically. 

October 8, 2014- Chivis Borderland Beat

The PRD national council unanimously approved the immediate expulsion of José Luis Abarca, Mayor of Iguala, Guerrero. Also impeachment proceedings have been initiated.

The mayor is wanted for murder.

On May 30th 2013 hundreds of striking miners, farmers and activists belonging to Unión Popular Emiliano Zapata (UPEZ),  was conducting a protest in Iguala, Guerrero.

The grievances had lasted over seven years and nothing had transpired to addresses the issues of  exploitation and extreme occupational hazards that faced Taxco miners on strike against Grupo Mexico, the Larrea family, and the complicity, abuses, and impunity of local rulers.  Other issues were the exploitation of farmers.

In the case of Iguala, the local ruler is mayor, José Luis Abarca.  Iguala residents have long complained of the criminality of Abarca and his wife, and their alleged ties to Guerrero Unidos cartel.  

On May 29 th, Abarca ordered the social activist group in an open forum to;

“stop fucking around with me, I have people that work for me, that can take care of this”. 

Arturo Hernandez Cordona, (at left) scientist, agricultural consultant, and founder of the local PRD as part of the National Democratic Leftist group (IDN) asked Abarca; 

  “what do you mean, take care of this?  That sounds like a threat to me”

At the public meeting-(in the above image)- the mayor's wife she screams at Hernandez "listen Bastard! 
You don't know who you are messing with, you will be fucked if you continue with this"-
 her husband also threatened Hernandez.

Attempts fail in calming down Maria Pineda Villa, she says to Hernandez "You will die' Hernandez is with microphone

The next day was May 30th and the protest.  It lasted for a couple of hours and everyone dispersed around 3 in the afternoon.  The last of the protestors to leave were a group of eight organizers and leaders, including Arturo Hernández Cardona, Ángel Román, Rafael Bandera and 5 others.

The men were traveling on a toll highway when they were intercepted by an armed group.  Of the eight men, 4 managed to flee, 3 were killed and their bodies found, and one has never been seen again.   

One of the survivors gives details;

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La Paz: SEIDO targets hitmen in Baja California Sur

 Translated for Borderland Beat

December 16, 2014 at 12:00:01 After being in captivity for more than 17 days, Víctor Barraza Martínez "28", "El Vidal", and five of his accomplices have given their first statements, in the Centre of the Attorney General of the Republic (PGR). 

The Seido unit specializes  in the investigation of crimes against health and operates similar as a specialized attorney/prosecutor in investigation of organized crime (SEIDO).  They are targeting  assassins  to locate, stop, and capture those allegedly involved, from July 31, 2014, for kidnappings, executions, and torture.

In an apparent war between the Sinaloa Cartel kingpins: Dámaso López Núñez "El Licenciado" and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, for control of the plaza in La Paz.

Preliminary investigation by PGR/SEIDO/UEIDCS/605/2014, since November 26, when one of the two heads of the "Damaso enforcers" was captured, moved, and was incarcerated in Mexico City.

In his statement, as the head of sicarios, he admitted to being one of those responsible for the wave of violence in La Paz.  

On his cell phone were numbers of La Paz, Los Cabos, Comondu, Culiacán and El Dorado, Sinaloa; including photographs of most of the members of his criminal cell.  The photos depicted members wearing camouflage and black uniforms, posing with high powered weapons, and beautiful women (buchonas).  He said the women were used,  to seduce his rivals when located, then kidnapping  and killing them.

warning grapic images next page

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FBI Is Now Involved in Investigation of Iguala; 17 New Mass Graves Found

Too Many Graves

Borderland Beat by DD.

Part of the strategy of the federal government in diffusing the tensions and protests that have emerged as a result of the “missing 43” students has been “to wait”.   When the events of Sept. 26 and 27 in Iguala began to receive attention from the international press, the personal secretary of President Pena Nieto told reporters that the government was not going to take any “dramatic action” to diffuse the situation because they understood how the “72 hour news cycle” worked.

After the passage of nearly 3 months since the murders and “disappearances” in Igual time has shown that the “72 hour news cyle” plan did not work.   We have not moved on the next “trending” story and forgotten Iguala.

Families Protesting in Front of Army Base Iguala

This week after demonstrations at the entrance to the Army’s base in Iguala demanding the truth about the events of Sept. 26^th and demanding the Army withdraw from the area, the parents of the missing students held a press conference where as reported by TeleSur;

The family members of the 43 Atyotzinapa students are accusing Mexico's Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam of covering up federal involvement in the deaths and forced disappearances. 

During a press conference Wednesday, the relatives reiterated their demand for a direct investigation into the participation of the Mexican army and federal police in the deaths and enforced disappearances of the students, as well as into organized crime groups.

Members of the Union of People and Organizations of Guerrero (UPOEG) reported Saturday the discovery of at least another 17 mass graves in Iguala.

A spokesperson for the group who is in charge of searches, Miguel Jimenez Blanco, said UPOEG is searching for more remains at the remaining sites in the Mexican state.

Blanco added that on December 18, UPOEG, together with the family members of the 43 missing Ayotzinapa teachers college students and the Federal Prosecutor’s Search Unit found the graves in the Barranca del Tigre area of Iguala district.

At about the same time as the parents and supporters  were alleging direct participation by the Army and Federal Police in the murders and abductions in Iguala, Attorney General Murillo announced that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations was now involved in investigating the the disappearance of the Ayotzinapa students as part of the Merida Initiative. 

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"Viceroy" Castillo has Failed in Michoacán; Reports of 7M Dollar Deal with Los Viagras

El Diario de Coahuila (Sunday December 21, 2014) by Jose Gil Olmos

Translated by un vato for Borderland Beat

Update: Chivis and Pepe sent me additional parts of this Proceso story that were not included in any of the versions I used. I have added the text at the end of the original translation. Thank you, Chivis and Pepe.-- un vato

In Michoacan, the violent events of the past weeks and several Michoacan residents interviewed by Proceso indicate that "viceroy" Castillo has failed totally in his "pacification" mission. There are those who state that, far from pacifying the state, the federal government's commissioner entered into a pact with one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the Tierra Caliente region --Los Viagras--, which has multiplied the problems. Father Gregorio "Goyo" Lopez, vicar of the Apatzingan cathedral, goes farther in his statements: he claims that, according to local stories, Castillo received $7 million dollars to allow Los Viagras to commit crimes, his favorites, who are now out of control.


MEXICO, D.F. (Apro).- For two hours on Tuesday afternoon, (December) 16, two groups equipped with high power weapons fought for control of La Ruana, in the Tierra Caliente, Michoacan, a key location in the production of synthetic drugs and an obligatory route for loads of cocaine, marijuana and gum opium going to the United States, according to official documents.

On that day, the followers of Hipolito Mora and Luis Antonio Torres, "El Americano", exchanged gunfire with .50 caliber machine guns, assault rifles and high power pistols, and launched fragmentation grenades.  The result: 11 killed.

And while that was happening on Michoacan territory, the federal government's commissioner, Alfredo Castillo, was in Mexico City. He had lunch in a Polanco restaurant, then he went shopping in a luxury watch shop in the neighborhood, so claimed PAN senators Luisa Maria Calderon and Javier Lozano. [He was shopping for a Rolex, according to other news services.--un vato]

When he was told about the shootout, all that Castillo could think to say was that it was due to personal differences between Mora and "El Americano". However, residents of La Ruana, in the municipality of Buenavista Tomatitlan, assert that it is in reality a battle for control of this area that is important in the production of synthetic drugs and the strategic route for transporting other drugs.

ANONYMOUSLY 

In the beginning, they say-- on the condition that their names be withheld-- the area was controlled by Jesus "El Chango" Mendez, the founder of La Familia Michoacana and a native of that municipality. The inhabitants of the community of Felipe Carrillo Puerto -- known as La Ruana in honor of a white mare with grey and bay spots-- comment to the reporter that La Familia Michoacana as well as Los Caballeros Templarios have for some time used the place for construction of laboratories for the production of synthetic drugs.

According to them, on September 20th, personnel with the Mexican Attorney General (PGR: Procuraduria General de la Republica) and the Federal Police (PF: Policia Federal) shut down a laboratory in the town of 18 de Marzo. At the same time, the National Security Commission (Comision Nacional de Seguridad) issued a communique in which it disclosed that "tambos" (oil drums) had been found "in the brush", as well as "improvised burners" and plastic containers with precursor chemicals for manufacturing methamphetamine.

Synthetic drugs continue to be manufactured in Tierra Caliente, such as ephedrine, crystal and crack. This last (substance) was, according to official documents consulted by Proceso, invented in Apatzingan by Los Caballeros Templarios.

In Aguililla, Coalcoman, Aquila, Chinicuila, Coahuayana, Tepalcatepec and Sierra de Tumbiscatio, they grow opium poppy, from which opium gum is extracted. Opium gum is the basis for morphine and heroin, the most powerful drug.

OLD DISPUTES

According to the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA), soldiers from the XXI and XLIII military zones have located and destroyed dozens of narcotics laboratories in the Tierra Caliente region where La Ruana is located, which puts this state in first place in this activity, above Jalisco and Sinaloa. In 2012, the PGR dismantled 938 clandestine laboratories, 83 of which were used to manufacture methamphetamine in Tierra Caliente (Proceso, No. 1917).

The Navy reported that the construction of these "narcotics factories" increased 1200% in Michoacan and displaced the cultivation and planting of marijuana and opium poppy. Another document, attributed to military intelligence and which this reporter had access to, establishes that as a result of the rise of self defense forces in February of 2013, two groups took advantage of the Templarios' weakness to take control of Tierra Caliente.

One of them, Los Gallegos, is led by lemon grower and hotel owner, Miguel Gallegos Godoy, "El Micheladas" or "El Migueladas"; the other group is "La Tercera Hermandad", or H3, associated with Los Viagras and led by "El Americano", who, although born in the United States, is a Mexican citizen.

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Félix Gallardo goes to medium security because of Sickness Concerns

Translated for Borderland Beat

Mexico, D.F. (apro).-Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, the Godfather, founder of the Guadalajara cartel, will be transferred to a medium security prison in Guadalajara, Jalisco, due to his precarious state of health, according to Apro judicial sources.

The Godfather is almost blind and deaf, so the fourth processes criminal Federal District Court ordered the relocation of Félix Gallardo from the supermax Altiplano no 1, in the State of Mexico, where he has been confined since 1991, when the prison opened he was the first criminal on high security lockdown in the country.

68-year-old Felix Gallardo was sentenced by a Court of the Federal District, in 1994, to 40 years in prison for murder, multiple crimes against health, possession of firearm and bribery.

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Linked first with Arellano Felix, then Sinaloa; Garibay Released in San Luis Rio Colorado

 For Borderland Beat translated from Zeta Tiajuana Article

Near 9 o'clock  on the evening of Wednesday, December 17, Manuel Garibay Espinoza was released from the Center for Social re-adaptation in San Luis Rio Colorado, only four years and six months after his arrest in Mexicali Valley in June 2010.

 Garibay Espinoza has been the head of a gang of organized crime that operated for years in the southeastern part of the Valley of Mexicali. This linked in the mid 80's to the Arellano Felix Cartel,  he was arrested in Arizona and became a protected witness, then returned to Mexico to get involved with the Sinaloa Cartel.

In the Mexicali Valley  a wave of murders were attributed to the group "Los Garibays" , their centre of operations being a ranch called Pescaderos, in the Chiapas Ejido. In 2002 there was a strong operation by the State Attorney's office looking for clandestine graves in that area.

  The group  was presumably responsible for  the death of seven sinaloans - in June 1999 - apparently part of a rival gang, the same group carried out the kidnapping and murder of a farmer's called  Larios, as well as the execution of a police officer called Federico Alvidrez, who had been investigating a series of robberies to packing houses in the Valley. In July 2004, the Garibay group also killed the Commander of the Ministerial police, Humberto Armenta.

In March 2002, the Chief of police in San Luis Rio Colorado, Luis Antonio Pineda Rodriguez were  riddled with bullets outside their homes, attributing the crime to Manuel Garibay, who had been arrested by the police chief a week before.

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How Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel Fed US Heroin Market

Borderland Beat republished from Universal and Insight Crime

                                                     Heroin Seized in New York 2014

The Sinaloa Cartel has taken control of New York’s heroin market, replacing Colombian and Asian groups as the principal supplier of the drug, according to an investigation by the Dromomanos collective, winner of the Ortega y Gasset Journalism Awards.

Jeen Blake, a 40-year-old truck driver, drove from Queens, New York to Riverside, California. The cross-country trip, which took at least 42 hours, had an extremely profitable end: deliver $750,000 in exchange for 15 kilos of heroin.

Blake, an employee of the company Good Guys Transport Corporation, spent a week driving. His truck was filled with the soles of shoes in which some of the drugs were hidden. The rest was concealed in square packets located in secret compartments. After driving 4,800 kilometers, the driver entered New York this past August 26, without knowing that he was being monitored as part of a special operation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the state police.

The plan was to meet the head of the company, Dorian Cabrera, at a Long Island parking lot and hand over the merchandise. After he reached the spot and both of them entered the trailer, agents surprise them. In addition to the drugs, the agents found more than $300,000 in cash. In Cabrera’s office, they discovered another $190,000 along with some precious gems. Both men were accused of drug possession and intent to distribute. According to James Hunt, Acting Special Agent in Charge of DEA New York Division, the drug shipment had a street value of $9 million.

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