Cartels, Conspiracies, and Camarena

Last Wednesday, El Nini, the head of security for Los Chapitos and head of Los Ninis, was arrested in a mid-day raid on a house in Culiacan.  In this Episode, we examine the capture of El Nini and, most significantly, we discuss the possible reasons behind his capture and its timing. Notably, we discuss suggestions that his capture was part of a secret agreement between the Mexican military and Lo...

My recent viewing of season 3 of Narcos: Mexico, which features Amado Carrillo Fuentes in one storyline, coupled with recent discussions about his death, led me to look more into the life, career, and death of The Lord of the Skies. In this episode, we look at Amado's rise from one of twelve children in Sinaloa, to the tutelage he received from old school traffickers Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo, his...

A September 1986 memorandum from the US Embassy in Mexico City to the State Department in Washington D.C. sought to "clear up some of the confusion that has been created by efforts to explain Mexican legal proceedings using US definitions" and to "promote a greater understanding of the differences between the Mexican and U.S. legal systems." In this Episode, we highlight the key differences discus...

Policy decisions regarding Mexican cartels should be driven by careful analysis coupled with a deep understanding of the cartel network structure in Mexico and its primary actors, i.e., CJNG and CDS. Social network analysis is a tool that can be used to evaluate these critical issues.   In this Episode, we discuss social network analysis and recent reports applying this methodology to Mexico's car...

In this Episode, we discuss some current events including the devastation in and around Acapulco caused by Hurrican Otis and the end of Red Ribbon Week. We then look at the Biden administration's announced intent to complete part of the border wall in Starr County, Texas. Next, we add to the discussion last week about the trafficking of guns and other weapons from the U.S. into Mexico, including a...

The prolific trafficking of guns and weapons from the U.S. into Mexico is a significant and tragically overlooked issue in the war on drugs and the Mexican cartels.  The easy access to a legal inventory of guns in Texas and other state and lucrative prices on the secondary market has flooded some Mexican border towns – including remarkably violent ones – with guns and weapons, which often make the...

In this Episode, we look at the political dialogue surrounding the possible use of US military forces against Mexican cartels, as part of the effort to address the fentanyl crisis.  The pledges of Republican presidential candidates are examined, as well as the role of a Congressional committee investigating the issue.  We also consider some of the difficulties any military action would encounter,...

In today's Episode, we share some additional thoughts and information on Ovidio Guzman, his extradition, the speed of the extradition process, and what might be expected going forward. Next, we look at three recent articles discussing different aspects of cartels and the drug trade. One article describes the socio-economic factors driving Mexican youth to join cartels, one looks at the economic im...

In this Episode, we look at the September 15 extradition of Ovidio Guzman and his plea of not guilty in a Chicago federal court.  We also examine the impacts his prosecution may have had, or later have, on the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Chapitos, the flow of drugs, including fentanyl, into the U.S., and our understanding of the growth and survival of cartels in Mexico.  Finally, we discuss the potential...

In this Episode, we conclude our look at the testimony in the 1990 and 1992 criminal trials by looking at some miscellaneous testimony from the 1990 trial.  In particular, we look at testimony regarding the identities of the major traffickers in Guadalajara at the time of the Camarena abduction, the capture of Caro Quintero in Costa Rica, the discovery of a photograph of Agent Camarena in the home...

In this Episode, we examine the testimony of Hector Berrellez in the 1990 criminal trial (Zuno I), including testimony relating to statements made by Juan Jose Bernabe Ramirez about an argument between Caro and Fonseca at Lope de Vega. Most importantly, though, we use Agent Berrellez's testimony to further analyze the role of Garate Bustamonte in securing witnesses for the investigation and prosec...

In this Episode, we examine the testimony of Lawrence Victor Harrison in the 1992 Zuno II trial.  Among other issues, this testimony provides an opportunity to consider the government's use of paid witnesses and the critical role of Garate Bustamonte in securing those witness.   We then look at a "new" claim from Agent Berrellez on why, according to him, Agent Camarena was kidnapped, tortured, and...

Lawrence Victor Harrison was a man of several names and many (possible) roles -- Berkley student, Mexican lawyer, communications guru to the traffickers and Mexican police, and even CIA agent.   In this Episode, we break down the trial testimony of Harrison and see what it says about the traffickers and their relationships with each other, the limited connection Harrison said Ruben Zuno Arce had t...

We continue our examination of the transcripts from the Zuno I and Zuno II trials by considering the testimonies of traffickers Enrique Plascencia Aguilar and Frank Retamoza. Plascencia's testimony includes details about the events at La Longosta that may be seen as inconsistent with the accepted narrative.  In addition, his testimony regarding a December 1984 meeting is also inconsistent not only...

This week we start a comprehensive review of the two Zuno trials using trial transcripts to look at the claims made by the prosecution and the actual, unfiltered testimony of government and defense witnesses. In this Episode, we examine the government's opening statements in the two trials and consider the intrinsically contradictory nature of the cases presented.  We also demonstrate how the gove...

As we continue to address many of the unanswered questions regarding the kidnapping, interrogation, and murder of Agent Camarena, in this Episode we look at the possible roles of lawyer turned drug trafficker Javier Barba Hernandez and DFS Agent Tomas Morlet.   In addition to looking at the evidence connecting these men to the kidnapping and interrogation of Agent Camarena, we discuss the signific...

The longevity of the Sinaloa Cartel, when other cartels have come and gone or splintered, is the subject of a recent academic article that we discuss in this Episode.   Specifically, we look at the factors that make the CDS an excellent case study. Next, we consider the article's conclusion that four types of governance practices by the CDS contribute to its resilience: judicial, financial, politi...

Continuing our discussion from last week, in this Episode, we analyze various statistics, surveys, and other data evidencing the corruption in Mexico and the public's perception of their safety and well-being.  We also look at the Mexico State Rule of Law Index, which not only reflects the adherence to the rule of law in the Mexican state but is also being utilized as a public policy tool by most...

As issues relating to drugs and Mexican cartels are reported on, become part of candidate platforms, and are discussed by policy-makers and those interested in those policies, many question the role of the Mexican government and its actions, or inaction, toward the cartels. In this Episode, I provide a brief history of the Mexican government, specifically the reign of the PRI party, the rise of po...

FBI Agent Michael P. Malone testified as to hair and fiber evidence collected at 881 Lope de Vega and his testimony was a key component of the government's case in all three of the Camarena-related criminal trials.   Following Agent Malone's analysis and testimony in the Camarena cases, several DOJ investigations and analyses from third parties called into question the testimony and science of Age...

My continuing effort to confront and consider the unanswered questions regarding the Camarena case leads to this Episode's discussion of the residence at 881 Lope de Vega.  By examining the ownership history of the residence, the forensics from the house, and the relevant phone records, we can draw some conclusions about the events at Lope de Vega on February 7 and 8, 1985.  And, as often is the c...

It is remarkable that 38 years after the abduction, torture, and murder of DEA Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena significant questions remain as to some of the most fundamental elements of the crime.   In this Episode, we examine the main theories on the question of who ordered Agent Camarena's abduction, providing evidence and reasoning both for and against the prominent arguments.  

Narcos: Mexico portrayed many events relating to the Camarena case in such a manner that some likely believe all of those events are true and occurred as depicted.   As we continue to investigate the Camarena case and seek answers to lingering questions, it is important to separate dramatic license from actual events. In this episode, we look at the depictions of the kidnapping of Agent Camarena,...

Narcos: Mexico presented, over the course of three seasons, a dramatic account of the kidnapping and murder of Agent Camarena and the growth of Mexican drug trafficking.  Despite clearly being a dramatization based on certain real events, some people accept as true things events presented in Narcos: Mexico that are partially dramatized or even complete fiction. In this Episode, we look at some of...

The Knights Templar cartel formed as from a split in leadership of La Familiar Michoacana, and it left a lasting impression from its short reign.  The Knights Templar history is filled with stories of their strict Code of Conduct, drug rehabilitation centers, and graphic violence.  It is even alleged that their induction ceremonies included extensive costumes and the eating of hearts.   This Episo...