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FMS

OForeign Military StudiesOffice731 McClellan AveFort Leavenworth, KS66027

fmso-border.watch@ugov.gov 414-795-8802

Use of these articles does notreflect official endorsement.

Reproduction for private useor gain is subject to originalcopyright restrictions.

This report is a compilation of extract translations of Mexicanopen source information

and not evaluated intelligence.

The complete articles inSpanish are available fromFMSO-JRIC. 

Latin America Military andSecurity Watch

Table of Contents 

MEXICO 

ORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKING 

Dismembered Body with Narco Message Found in Zapopan, Jalisco –  22 June 2010 Mexican Soldier Murdered in Tlapehuala, Guerrero – 21 June 2010 Bodies in Narco Grave Found in Cancun, Quintana Roo  – 19 June 2010 

MILITARY 

Mexican Marines Seizes 1,400 Kilograms of Marijuana in Gaymas,

Sonora – 21 June 2010 Mexican Soldiers Locate and Destroy Nine Marijuana and Poppy Fieldsin Villa Coronado, Chihuahua – 19 June 2010 Soldiers Seize More Than Three Metric Tons of Marijuana in BajaCalifornia – 19 June 2010 Soldiers Seize More Than One Million Dollars in Culiacan, Sinaloa –  19 June 2010 

FEDERAL POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT 

Federal Police at Mexicali International Airport Detain AmericanCitizen with $(USD) 23,660.00 Strapped to His Body – 18 June 2010 Drug Smugglers Arrested with Cocaine in Chiapas – 19 June 2010 Judicial Police Arrest Eight Alleged Hitmen in Cancun, Quintana Roo –  

22 June 2010 Federal Police Arrest Leader of La Familia Michoacana Cell inNezahualcoyotl, Mexico State – 22 June 2010 

INSTABILITY/CIVIL UNREST 

The Fund for Peace and Mexico’s Ranking on the Failed State Index –  22 June 2010 

CENTRAL AMERICA 

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Drug Control Police Dismantle Drug Trafficking Organization fromMichoacan Operating in Costa Rica and Seize 248 Kilograms of Cocaine – 18 June 2010 More Than $20,000 Dollars Seized from Dominican National at theTocumen International Airport in Panama – 17 June 2010 DIJ Officials Seize 64 Kilograms of Cocaine from Container at the Portof Colon in Panama – 19 June 2010 Man Arrested with Cocaine Pellets in His Stomach at the TocumenInternational Airport in Panama – 17 June 2010 Public Force Officers Arrest Three and Seize Four Kilograms of Cocaine in Costa Rica – 21 June 2010 

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MEXICO

ORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKINGDismembered Body with Narco Message Found in Zapopan, Jalisco – 22 June 2010

Around 1930 hours on 21 June 2010, municipal policeofficers found a dismembered body near LopezMateos Avenue in the Bugambilias and El Palomarsectors of Zapopan [20.7167 -103.4000], Jalisco.Multiple body parts were found inside trash bagswhile the severed head was found inside a cooler.Placed in the victim’s mouth was a severed finger andgenitalia. A narco message was written on top of thecooler, but its content was not revealed.

To date in 2010, 16 dismembered bodies and onehanging from a bridge have been found in Jalisco. According to authorities, 14 of these cases areassociated with the fight to gain control of Los Valencia Cartel as well as acts of revenge for the arrest of Oscar Orlando NAVA Valencia, aka El Lobo.

Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/node/470204 

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Mexican Soldier Murdered in Tlapehuala, Guerrero – 21 June 2010

Domingo Encamacion Martinez, a Mexican soldier assigned to the 40 th Infantry Battalion, was murdered

along with taxi driver Victor Romero Pineda, 56, on 21 June 2010. Their bodies were found inside taxicar no. 009 (license plates 111-82-SGT) along the San Miguel Totolopan-San Jose Poliutla state highwayin the Tlapehuala municipality [18.2167 -100.5167], of Guerrero. Both victims had been shot multipletimes with AK-47s. The motive for this murder is under investigation.

Spanish Source: http://www.reforma.com/nacional/articulo/561/1121092/  

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Bodies in Narco Grave Found in Cancun, Quintana Roo – 19 June 2010

Authorities discovered 12 bodies in four separate graves in Cancun, Quintana Roo, after receivingstatements from nine hitmen that were detained earlier in the week. In total, there were ten male and twofemale victims found. It was reported that six of the victims died of strangulation, one was decapitated,and five were stabbed to death. Some of the victims had been in the grave for as long as a month whileothers had been deposited as early as five days prior to its discovery.

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Spanish Source: http://eleconomista.com.mx/seguridad-publica/2010/06/19/identifican-cuerpos-hallados-narcofosas-cancun 

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MILITARYMexican Marines Seizes 1,400 Kilograms of Marijuana in Gaymas, Sonora – 21 June 2010

On 19 June 2010, naval personnel assigned to the 4 th Naval Region arrested Francisco Javier RAMIREZGarrobo, 36, for possession of 138 packages of marijuana. The arrest took place after Ramirez wasstopped for an inspection at a military checkpoint located southeast of Puerto Libertad in Gaymas[27.9333 -110.9000], Sonora. The marijuana was found hidden inside Ramirez’s vehicle with Sonoraplates UX11661. The total weight of the seized marijuana was reported at 1,400 kilograms.

Spanish Source:http://www.semar.gob.mx/sitio/?option=com_content&task=view&id=1381&Itemid=300 

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Mexican Soldiers Locate and Destroy Nine Marijuana and Poppy Fields in Villa Coronado,

Chihuahua – 19 June 2010

On 15 June 2010, soldiers assigned to the 76th Infantry Battalion discovered and destroyed marijuana andpoppy fields. The fields were located near the San Andres village in the Villa Coronado municipality[26.7500 -105.1667] of Chihuahua. In total, 6 marijuana fields measuring more than 3.5 hectares and 3poppy fields measuring more than 2 hectares were destroyed.

Spanish Source: http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php?id_art=4587 

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Soldiers Seize More Than Three Metric Tons of Marijuana in Baja California – 19 June 2010

The following seizures were made by Mexican soldiers in BajaCalifornia:Incident one: On 18 June 2010 at approximately 0900 hours, soldiersresponded to an anonymous call regarding individuals selling drugs at

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the corners of Zaragoza and Fernandez Streets in the Mesa de Otay district of Tijuana [32.5333-117.0167], Baja California. At the location, authorities arrested Kevin Daniel QUEZADAMedina, 18. Seized from him were the following items:

  3.645 metric tons of marijuana in 350 bundles of various sizes  $(USD) 40.00

  $(MXN) 25.00Incident two: Soldiers arrested Felipe LOPEZ Fernandez and Pablo AGUIRRE Valencia after soldiersconducted a routine search at a checkpoint near the Lomas de Oro village in Ensenada [31.8667-116.6167], Baja California. Here, soldiers discovered 93 packages of marijuana from a late modelChevrolet Silverado.Incident three: Soldiers responded to an anonymous regarding illegal activities taking place on SanJavier Street in El Refugio neighborhood of La Presa, Baja California. Here, authorities arrested:

  Martin Eduardo BAUTISTA Estrada, 42

  Armando RIVERA Ayala, 32

  Hector Ramón CASTILLO Álvarez, 31,  Ramón HERRERA Quintero, 56

  Vicente GALARZA Duque, 50Seized from these individuals were the following items:

  350 grams of crystal meth

  (1) .45 caliber handgun

  (1) .20 caliber shotgun  (1) .22 caliber rifle

  2 magazines

  3 vehiclesIncident four: in the Tecate municipality, soldiers seized:

  (5) .22 caliber rifles

  3 magazines  48 live rounds

Incident five: in the Valle de la Trinidad village in Ensenada, Baja California, soldiers seized:

  (1) 12 gauge shotgun

  (1) .22 caliber revolver  (6) 30-30 live rounds

  (5) 12 gauge shotgun shells

Spanish Source: http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldetijuana/notas/n1677415.htm 

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Soldiers Seize More Than One Million Dollars in Culiacan, Sinaloa – 19 June 2010

Mexican soldiers conducting operations in Culiacan [24.7994-107.3897], Sinaloa, responded to an anonymous citizen’s tip and

as a result, raided three residences being used as safe houses.These houses contained money, weapons, and drugs. Theoperations were reported as follows:

Operation one: In the first residence, located on 3147 SalvadorDali Street, soldiers seized:

  $(USD) 28,400.00

  20 kilograms of cocaine

  8 high value watches  6 pieces of jewelry

  (1) 9mm pistol

  1 Mustang GT with license plates VII3289  (1) 2005 Dodge Ram with license plates TZ35254

Operation two: In the second residence, located on 3134 of the same street, soldiers seized thefollowing:

  $(USD) 1,013,880.00

  $(USD) 80.00 worth of counterfeit bills

  2 pistols  magazines

  2 vehiclesOperation three: In the third residence, located at the corners of 3687 Batllo Street and Salvador Dali

Streets, soldiers seized the following:  10 kilograms of marijuana

  35 grams of unprocessed marijuana

  145 amphetamine pills

Spanish Source: http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/533254.aseguran-mas-de-1-mdd-en-sinaloa.html 

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FEDERAL POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENTFederal Police at Mexicali International Airport Detain American Citizen with $(USD) 23,660.00

Strapped to His Body – 18 June 2010

On 17 June 2010, federal police stationed at the General Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada International Airportin Mexicali [32.6519-115.4683], Baja California, detained a 24 year old male U.S. citizen after

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discovering he had $(USD) 23,660.00 strapped to his body. The money was distributed in the followingdenominations:

  2 bundles of $(USD)10,000.00 strapped to both legs

  1bundle $(USD) 3,300.00 in right front jacket pocket  1bundle $(USD)360.00 in left jacket pocket

Other items seized from this individual were papers written in Arabic and a drivers license under thename of Robert Edward Amo.

Comment: For a picture and the name of the detained U.S. national, please refer to the original Spanishsource article. This same individual was reported as having two warrants out for his arrest in Arizona.

Spanish Source:http://www.ssp.gob.mx/portalWebApp/appmanager/portal/desk?_nfpb=true&T57800187241244041542633_actionOverride=%2Fboletines%2FDetalleBoletin&_windowLabel=T57800187241244041542633&T

57800187241244041542633id=784279&_pageLabel=boletines 

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Drug Smugglers Arrested with Cocaine in Chiapas  – 19 June 2010

On 17 June 2010 at 1200 hours, PGJE officers arrested IsraelCONTRERAS Abarca, 32, and Ana Laura OLMEDO Lopez, 25, forpossession of 15 bricks of cocaine. The pair of smugglers were caught ata checkpoint along the Tuxtla Chico-Tapachula Highway in Chiapas andafter being arrested, admitted to authorities that this was their fourth

smuggling trip. The suspects stated they were paid $(MXN) 40,000 pertrip to transport the cocaine from Suchiate, Chiapas, to Matamoros,Tamaulipas.

Spanish Source: http://www.noticiasdechiapas.com.mx/nota.php?id=3572 

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Judicial Police Arrest Eight Alleged Hitmen in Cancun, Quintana Roo – 22 June 2010

Judicial Police arrested eight criminals linked to recent criminal activity from a residence at 355 IguanaStreet [21.1401 -86.8476] in Supermanzana 51 of Cancun, Quintana Roo. Neighbors reported that at least

20 men moved in a month ago, causing many residents to move out of fear. A group of 20 soldiers andfour military vehicles provided an outer perimeter for the raid. No weapons were seized from the home.

Spanish Source: http://www.yucatan.com.mx/noticia.asp?cx=15$4108080000$4327690&f=20100622 

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Federal Police Arrest Leader of La Familia Michoacana Cell in Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico State – 22

June 2010

Federal police officers arrested Alberto RAMIREZ Miranda, aka El Beto, after he was admitted to a

hospital in the Bosques de Aragon neighborhood of Mexico City after being shot. This individual wasidentified as the leader of a La Familia Michoacana cell that operates in the Nezahualcoyotl, Ecatepec,and Chimalhuacan areas of Mexico State. Upon the arrival of authorities at the hospital, they were firedupon by a group of six armed men who were waiting outside in a Chevrolet Trail Blazer. These gunmenwere later arrested. Ramirez and members of his criminal cell were dedicated to carrying out thefollowing activities:

  charging extortion fees

  drug dealing

  kidnappingsSeized from the arrested individuals were rifles and shotguns, and $(MXN) 4,600.

Comment: The names of the arrested men have not been released.

Spanish Source: http://www.reforma.com/nacional/articulo/561/1121331/ , http://www.milenio.com/node/470639 

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INSTABILITY/CIVIL UNRESTThe Fund for Peace and Mexico’s Ranking on the Failed State Index – 22 June 2010

Mexico improved its standing by two places on the 2010 Failed State Index, an independent report

published by The Fund for Peace Organization, in conjunction with Foreign Policy magazine. In 2009,Mexico was ranked at 98; this year, it was ranked at 96 on a list of 177 ranked nations. With an overallscore of 76.1, Mexico ranks below countries like Paraguay, Chile, and Brazil. This year, Somalia headedthe list as most likely to fail, while Norway was listed as the least likely. Criteria used to rank these statesincludes 12 different metrics that cover items such as: demographic pressures; refugees/IDPs, groupgrievance, human flight, uneven development, economic decline, delegitimization of the state, publicservices, human rights, security apparatus, factionalized elites, external intervention.

Comment: The United States ranked 158 of 177 on the list.

Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/689368.html 

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CENTRAL AMERICADrug Control Police Dismantle Drug Trafficking Organization from Michoacan Operating in Costa

Rica and Seize 248 Kilograms of Cocaine – 18 June 2010

Multiple operations conducted by Drug Control Police led to thefollowing events in Costa Rica:

  the dismantling of a drug trafficking organization fromMichoacan that was operating within the country

  the arrest of 18 individuals

  the seizure of 248 kilograms of cocaine.The operations were carried out in homes and warehouseslocated in Las Juntas de Pacuar of Perez Zeledon, PotreroGrande of Buenos Aires in Puntarenas, Zarcero, Hatillo 2,

Palmares, Sarchi, San Vito de Coto Brus, Paso Canoas, Corredores, San Ramón, El Roble, and El

Coyol de Alajuela. In addition to the 248 kilograms of cocaine, the following items were alsoseized:

  $(USD) 171,000

  an undetermined amount of heroin and marijuana

  12 vehicles  3 motorcycles

  1 four wheeler

  1 boat  Multiple weapons to include 2 rifles, 6 handguns, and (6) 9mm pistols

Of the individuals arrested, four were identified as Mexican nationals and 14 were identified as CostaRican nationals. According to authorities, the four Mexican nationals were served as the leaders of theorganization. Their role within the country was to recruit Costa Rican nationals to transport drugs fromthe southern tip of Costa Rica to Puntarenas, and then from Guatemala to Mexico. These Mexicannationals were arrested in Palmares and El Coyol de Alajuela.

Spanish Source: http://www2.prensalibre.cr/pl/suceso/26965-cartel-mexicano-de-michoacan-escondia-248-kilos-de-cocaina.html 

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More Than $20,000 Dollars Seized from Dominican National at the Tocumen International Airportin Panama – 17 June 2010

National Customs Authority personnel arrested a male Dominicannational with $(USD) 20,120 dollars of undeclared cash at theTocumen International Airport [9.0669 -79.3872] in Panama. It wasreported that the suspect entered the country on a commercial flight

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and was caught after customs personnel ran his belongings through a baggage scanner. Also seized fromthis individual were $(DOP) 6,000 (equivalent to $164 dollars).

Spanish Source: http://www.critica.com.pa/archivo/06172010/suc24.html#axzz0rV1X32Iu 

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DIJ Officials Seize 64 Kilograms of Cocaine from Container at the Port of Colon in Panama – 19

June 2010

On 18 June 2010, Judicial Investigative Directorate (DIJ)officials acting under Operation Oro seized 64 kilograms of cocaine from a shipping container at the Port of Colon [9.3632-79.8834] in Panama. This container was destined for

Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Authorities reported that noarrests have been made related to the operation, but assumethat individuals working at the port were involved in helping totraffic the drugs.

Spanish Source: http://www.critica.com.pa/archivo/06192010/suc08.html#axzz0rV3w7AcW 

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Man Arrested with Cocaine Pellets in His Stomach at the Tocumen International Airport in

Panama – 17 June 2010

On 15 June 2010, National Police arrested Omar GARCIA, 29, at the Tocumen International Airport[9.0669 -79.3872] in Panama, after detecting cocaine pellets in his stomach. At the time this article wasprinted, GARCIA had passed 8 capsules.

Comment: It was not reported where GARCIA was coming from or what his nationality was.Spanish Source: http://www.critica.com.pa/archivo/06172010/suc29.html#axzz0rV1YRpKC 

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Public Force Officers Arrest Three and Seize Four Kilograms of Cocaine in Costa Rica – 21 June

2010

Thanks to an anonymous tip, public force officers arrested three men for possession of four kilograms of cocaine on a street in the San Pedro de Coronado area of Costa Rica. The arrest was carried out after

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officers received a report that five individuals in a gray van were about to exchange the cocaine for cash.Upon police arrival, two individuals managed to escape and three were caught and arrested. Theseindividuals were identified with last names OSPINA, ZAPATA, and GOMEZ. In addition to the cocaine,

a .40 caliber pistol was seized from them.

Spanish Source: http://www.aldia.cr/ad_ee/2010/junio/21/sucesos2416549.html 

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