Mexican Actress Kate del Castillo Explains Seemingly Flirtatious Text Messages to ‘El Chapo’

Mexican actress Kate del Castillo and Hollywood actor Sean Penn have been embroiled in controversy since the revelation that they met with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the most wanted drug lord in the world, in person while he was on the lam last year.

Mexican authorities want to interrogate her as a witness in an investigation and have insinuated they could be potentially investigating her for allegedly taking money from Guzman for her tequila company, Honor del Castillo, according to the newspaper El Universal.

This past January, del Castillo’s private text messages with El Chapo were leaked to the media, suggesting another kind of scandal -- that the two of them could be romantically involved.

But del Castillo is now sharing her side of the story and insists in an interview with ABC News'sDiane Sawyer that there was nothing romantic between her and the drug kingpin, whom she met in person last October.

Read More

NESTORA FREE

Posted by DD

Borderland Beat has covered the saga of Nestora Salgado extensively in past issues.  If you will type in "nestora" on the BB search box you will find probably 30 stories that are about her or mention her.  Because of that abundance of material in the archives of BB, I will go into a great lot of detail about her past and what she did in Olinala.  

 

We have been so disappointed in the past when we have been told by the Mexican officials that Nestora would be released and then our hopes dashed when she wasn't, I am posting these as proof that she has been released this morning.  When I finish writing the story later today I will add more text (and hopefully video )telling her story.

Nastora Salgado leaving prison after judge ordered her release (photo from KOMO TV

Read More

Osario Chong visits the U.S. says Tamaulipas violence has declined

Lucio R Borderland Beat from Proceso

The real truth from Tamps newspaper of today "Reynosa suffers violence without end"
Just one of the cities in the state suffering from great violence

Despite more than a dozen shootings and clashes in recent days between criminal, federal police and soldiers in Tamaulipas, Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, head of Interior Ministry he said that in that state violence has decreased. 

"In Tamaulipas we  have made very important advances to ensure peace and security," or so, Osorio Chong bragged during a press conference with Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security United States.

The constant confrontations in Tamaulipas, especially in Reynosa, seem to go unnoticed for those in charge of the country's security in the government of Enrique Peña Nieto.

"They have reduced violence,  ... we believe that our strategy is working well and we will go ahead and move ahead to restore calm to various states of the Republic," Osorio Chong, boasted after making a visit to Washington to meet with Johnson.

Read More

Tanhuato Michoacán: Weapons at massacre reportedly linked to fast and furious

Lucio R. with C.E. Martinez for Borderland Beat material from Insight Crime and BB Archives

How many of these high profile killings will Fast & Furious weapons be discovered?  How is it that these weapons are only discovered at Big Stories? Whatever the case, that is the story

Insight Crime and other news outlets are reporting that,  once again, weapons linked to the U.S. operation Fast & Furious, have been discovered in the aftermath of  a “Big Story”. 

In this case, these weapons were discovered at the massacre of El Rancho El Sol located in communities Tanhuato and Ecuandureo. Michoacán, which sits on the border of Jalisco.

Last May the killing of 42 young men by federal forces, had overwhelming evidence of another extrajudicial massacre by the government. Beginning with the lopsided number of deaths on each side, 42 civilians, 1 federal element.  Evidence strongly suggests the men were ambushed while sleeping, killed from gunfire from the air (minigun from helicopter) as they attempted to flee, re-positioning of bodies in photos, and torturing before death.  Many of the bodies were in rigor mortis when moved and placed in another position, easily identified in photos, so to the planting of weapons and shots to the back.

The government’s version is that forces were attacked.

 Raul Benitez Manaut, a security expert at the National Autonomous University of Mexico says:

 “Apparently the gang offered no resistance; it was a very uneven fight. A battle where 42 die on one side and only one on the other is not a battle."

Below: slide show has very graphic images

Read More

Looking For Answers; Reynosa

Posted by DD. Republished from Silver or Lead

Borderland Beat has covered the violence and chaos that erupted in Reynosa this past weekend that was precipitated by a government operation to "take down" an alleged drug kingpin.  That individual, Cheoflas Martinez, is not exactly a major organized crime figure.  

Alejandro Hope* (see resume following the story), a well respected and leading analyst and thinker on Mexican politics and the Mexican drug wars, has given BB permission to  republish  today's issue of Silver and Lead wherein he asks the question WHY all this violence occurred and gives his views  

WHY? 

Read More

Reynosa Tamaulipas CDG: Cleofas Martínez “El Güero” Arrested

Lucio R. Borderland Beat with material from 24 hours  SDP and BB archives

Cleofas Alberto Martínez Gutiérrez , alias El Guero, second in command of the Cartel del Golfo based in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, was arrested  the National Security commissioner, Renato Sales reported.

The cartel leader, 31, surrendered without resistance despite being armed, while watching a race at the Hippodrome (D.F.), he was arrested by federal police on Sunday. He was arrested with another man identified as Wilibaldo Rodriguez.

At the press conference, the federal official said Martínez Gutiérrez is linked with the violent events that occurred yesterday in Reynosa, which left ten criminals killed and four soldiers wounded.

He also explained that the detainee coordinated killings on behalf of the cartel, kidnappings and is the main drug operator in Reynosa.

Sales Heredia said the suspect was caught while transporting weapons and drugs, he was made available to the Federal Public Ministry.

Read More

4 Mexicans arrested in Nigeria for operating "Super Meth Lab"

Lucio R. Borderland Beat republished from Nairaland

The first lab of this type in Western Africa 

Nigeria’s anti-drug trafficking agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, announced on Saturday the discovery of a super laboratory for the illicit production of methamphetamine and the arrest of four Nigerians and four Mexicans suspects.

The laboratory, which is located in Asaba, Delta State, was detected by the Special Enforcement Team (SET) of the agency, the NDLEA Chairman, Mr. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, said at a press conference at the agency’s headquarters in the commercial city of Lagos.

“This is the first super laboratory discovered in the country, capable of making the drug in industrial quantities” Mr. Abdallah said.

“This laboratory is similar to the ones found in Mexico in terms of size and has a capacity of between 3,000 kg and 4,000 kg of methamphetamine per production cycle,” he added. Methamphetamine added Ofoyeju, sold six thousand dollars a kilogram in Nigeria, but in Asian markets (preferred by Nigerian drug traffickers) the price rises to $ 300,000 per kilogram.

The NDLEA boss said “another significant feature of this laboratory is that the production process is more technical and sophisticated because it uses the synthesis method of methamphetamine production”.

Read More

Old School Zetas offer authorities 1million pesos to "elminate" members of CDN

Lucio R. Borderland Beat

Two narcomantas appeared in Cd. Victoria, Tamaulipas, one at the Pedro J Mendez Primary School, the other on Tampico Street.

The message is the same in both mantas (banners), it is addressed to authorities, Federal, State and City, they offer 1 million pesos, (56,230 usd) in exchange for “eliminating” any of their choice of the people whose images grace the manta.

The authors of the manta state that under the direction of Los Zetas CDN  leader “El Kiko” Trevino, there have been countless murders and executions of innocents, and collecting quotas.   Further stating, these scum are causing pain and panic in the city.  They assert that they don’t kill just to kill, they only for settling accounts with these scourge and all that follow and help them.

It is signed, “Old School Zetas” and Operativo Bravo.

Juan Francisco Trevino el Quico (kiko), is the nephew of Miguel Trevino (Z40) and Omar Trevino (Z42), the now imprisoned premier leaders of Los Zetas.

He became the heir to the Zetas throne, once his uncles were captured.  Wanting to assure Trevino blood took control, however, they were aware there may be issues because of the violent, blood thirsty nature and history of their nephew.  When they were in leadership, both Omar and Miguel had to closely monitor Juan. 

Read More

Zetas leader of Piedras Negras arrested

Lucio R. Borderland Beat  Material from Semar

Elements of the Marina (Semar) on Saturday arrested Carlos Antonio Ramirez Rodriguez, "El Flako" in Coahuila. 

Federal sources said  that Ramirez Rodriguez kept a low profile in the area of Piedras Negras. However, Semar reported that during a tour of prevention in the State, while on the road Nuevo Laredo-Piedras Negras, Marina elements stopped and arrested "El Flako" who identified himself as Jefe de Plaza for Los Zetas in Piedras Negras. 

Officials said El Flako assumed leadership of this criminal group after the capture of Daniel Sierra Menera, which occurred in March 2015.

According to Semar, the alleged criminal leader tried to evade the Marina, and a pursuit commenced.  

He was ultimately stopped, after  inspecting the car he was riding, weapons, ammunition and marijuana were seized.

Read More

20 soldiers arrested in Veracruz murder case

Posted by DD from materials from Reforma, Milenio, and Mexico News Daily

At least 20 soldiers are being held at the headquarters of the Sixth Military Region La Boticaria, near the port of Veracruz for the murder and torture of a auto mechanic in Tierra Blanca.   Military sources in Mexico City indicated that the soldiers belong to the 80 Infantry Battalion,

The soldiers in custody were among 530 who had been deployed to Veracruz to combat the theft of petroleum products from Pemex pipelines in Tezonapa, Tierra Blanca, Omealca and Tres Valles

 Milenio noted that Victor Garcia Garcia, 31, left as every morning to work as a mechanic, but never reached its destination because he was intercepted by armed men in military uniforms, and traveling in a 4 door jeep painted in earthtone camouflage  like the Army uses.  They handcuffed him and put him in the truck.  

 Three days later he was found dead.

Read More

10 suspected cartel members killed in Reynosa Sunday morning.

Posted  by DD republished from Yahoo News

ALFREDO PENA,Associated Press 

photo from BB archives

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP) — At least 10 suspected criminals died in gunbattles with government forces Sunday during an anti-cartel operation in the city of Reynosa, which sits across the U.S. border from McAllen, Texas, Mexican authorities said.

The Tamaulipas state government said the violence erupted early Sunday after soldiers, marines and police began the operation aimed at a drug cartel that operates in Reynosa.

A state police official who insisted on anonymity told The Associated Press that the operation was aimed at arresting the Gulf Cartel's leader in Reynosa. The official would not say if Juan Manuel Loza, also known as "El Comandante Toro," was caught.

The state government said at least three armed clashes occurred over several hours, and gang members also set vehicles on fire and blocked roads. Four soldiers were injured when their vehicle overturned, officials said.

Read More

Kate Castillo speaks out with her version of the Meeting with El Chapo

Lucio R Borderland Beat written with  material from New Yorker Magazine

M

exican born actress Kate del Castillo is speaking out in interviews, giving her story of the infamous Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman meeting.

Diane Sawyer scored the first sit-down TV interview with Castillo airing on March 18, at 10:00 p.m. on ABC’s 20/20 program. The actress will discuss the events of the Chapo interview and what led to the capture of the drug lord.

Castillo has given an interview the New Yorker Magazine, which is scheduled to be released in print on March 21, but can already be accessed online.

The New Yorker article is titled “The Go Between”, and it is her version of events that led to her brokering a meeting between actor Sean Penn, two Argentine filmmakers that work with Oliver Stone, and the world’s most famous drug trafficker, El Chapo.

Yet another version of the meeting that was a pivotal moment in time for the main characters involved. 

Kate says that on January 9^th, she had just returned home, to Los Angeles, after a family trip.  It was a trying time for the actress, her marriage to model Aaron Diaz had fizzled.  

She poured a glass of wine, sat down at her computer, and logged on to Twitter.

Read More

Tijuana: El Tigre operative turns himself in at San Ysidro border

E Tigre operative turns himself in after manhunt

Martel Valencia-Cortes, has spent his life in the trafficking of humans.  Now, his career has come to self imposed end, or maybe just a break, as he turned himself in to authorities, after a months long multi agency manhunt, after he allegedly threw a large rock at a Border Patrol agent, in Jacumba, a known smuggling route, just across the border.  

A desolate, remote region, too remote for the social order of modern society to continue.  Rape, murder, extortion, kidnapping.  'A Lot of Bodies are buried in the desert"  The barren purgatories between Mexico and the US all across the border are subject to few laws, a regression to earlier times, cat and mouse games of dangerous people, intent on their goals, that blur depending on your side.  The Border Patrol will detain, ambush, main, even kill in defense of their laws and their goals, as will the smugglers, who lead people and product to the US.  

Cortes, fell on the smuggling side.  He was an outlaw, not glamorous, but not someone who walked through the freezing terrain himself, with his 'passengers', an expert in the foot paths and routes of the smuggling points, he had been a known smuggler since at least 1999, likely formerly affiliated with elements of Arellano Felix.  Federal authorities describe his career, in the black and white prose of law enforcement, 'known foot guide, load vehicle driver, ailen smuggling facilitator', he has 35 apprehensions by the Border Patrol.  

Read More

Answering a Help Wanted ad found job seekers working for CJNG

Lucio R Borderland Beat  Material from Quadratin and El Universal

Job seekers answering the ad for a phony company, could find themselves working for El Mencho.

The Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion  have been distributing flyers in the Jalisco municipalities, of Tlaquepaque and Puerto Vallarta.

The flyers are “Help Wanted” notices for a nonexistent company named Segmex.  The positions advertised for were for guards and  bodyguards  and salaries started at the attractive sum of 3,000 pesos, about 170 dollars, per  week.

Those applicants with police, military or security experience would earn a higher wage.

The Jalisco attorney general, Eduardo Almaguer Ramírez. said in a news conference, "These criminals hand out these flyers on the streets to recruit people and incorporate them into the ranks of organized crime," as he held up one of the flyers used.

Read More

Sean Penn, Chapo Documentary, "Bungle in the Jungle"

Lucio R. Borderland Beat

Recent El Chapo news is that, the meeting between Sean Penn and the Sinaloa Capo, was coordinated by director Oliver Stone.  Supposedly, Stone wanted to purchase rights of the life of El Chapo, for the small sum of 6 million dollars. 

This angle of the story contradicts the previous contention by Penn who said the meeting with Chapo was for journalistic purposes, further stated he had no interest in any film that would be made on the Sinaloa Cartel leader.

A new documentary from the U.K. claims the story behind the meeting, is more incredible than the meeting itself. (trailer for the documentary above)

Read More