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Latin America Military and

Security Watch

Table of Contents

MEXICO

SPECIAL INTEREST

Death Toll in Mexico – 04 October 2011

BAJA CALIFORNIA

Custom Agents Seize $(USD) 915,319.50 in Tijuana, Baja California –

05 October2011

HIDALGO

Los Zetas Operator Confesses to Having Killed over 60 Individuals

Following his Arrest in Amaxac, Hidalgo – 03 October 2011

Authorities Arrest Three Los Zeta Operators in Huejutla, Hidalgo – 06

October2011

GUERRERO

SSP to Improve Security Measures in Tourist Areas of Acapulco,

Guerrero – 04 October 2011

VERACRUZ

Marines Dismantle Network of Police Officers Working at the Service

of Los Zetas in Veracruz – 04 October 2011

JALISCO

PGJE Officers Arrest Six Los Zetas Operators to Include a 19-Year-

Old Female Sicario in Jalisco – 04 October 2011

MICHOACAN

Results of Operations Conducted against La Familia Michoacana and

Los Caballeros Templarios in Michoacan – 05 October 2011

AGUASCALIENTES

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Thirteen Police Officers Working at the Service of La Oficina Arrested

in Aguascalientes – 04 October2011

Five Los Zetas Operators Arrested in Cosio, Aguascalientes – 06

October 2011

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MEXICO

SPECIAL INTEREST Death Toll in Mexico – 04 October 2011

El Universal media source (citing figures from www.presidencia.gob.mx) reported the following figures

regarding the death toll associated with organized crime violence in Mexico.

Number of murders linked to organized crime between December 2006 and December 2010:

2006: 62

2007: 2,826

2008: 6,837

2009: 9,614

2010: 15,273. Murders by quarter were reported as follows:

First quarter: 3,339

Second quarter: 4,102

Third quarter: 4,142

Fourth quarter: 3,690

States with the highest murder rates between 2006 and 2010 were listed as:

Chihuahua: 10,135

Sonora: 1,258

Baja California: 2,019

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Sinaloa: 4,387

Tamaulipas: 1,475

Jalisco: 1,073

Michoacan: 1,751

Guerrero: 2,739

Mexico State: 1,538

Municipalities with the highest murder rates between December 2006 and December 2010:

Juarez, Chihuahua

Culiacan, Sinaloa

Tijuana, Baja California

Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Acapulco de Juarez, Guerrero

Gomez Palacio, Durango

Torreon, Coahuila

Mazatlan, Sinaloa

Nogales, Sonora

Durango, Durango

Those states with the higherst murder rates between 2006 and 2010 were reported as:

2006: Michoacan, Guerrero, Baja California, Sonora, and Nuevo Leon

2007: Sinaloa, Michoacan, Guerrero, Chihuahua, and Baja California

2008: Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Baja California, Guerrero, and Mexico State

2009: Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Guerrero, Durango, and Michoacan

2010: Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Guerrero, and Durango

Comment: This article is a translation of the image above.

Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/graficos/pdf11/grafica_seguridad.pdf

BAJA CALIFORNIA Custom Agents Seize $(USD) 915,319.50 in Tijuana, Baja California – 05 October2011

On 05 October 2011, soldiers

and customs agents seized

$(USD) 915,319.50 from a

vehicle at a customs checkpoint

at the Garita Internacional de

Otay in Tijuana [32.533789,-

117.018127], Baja California.

The names of those individuals

arrested have not yet been released.

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Spanish Source: http://noticieroelcirco.blogspot.com/2011/10/efectivos-militares-en-coordinacion-

con.html

Top of the Document

HIDALGO

Los Zetas Operator Confesses to Having Killed over 60 Individuals Following his Arrest in

Amaxac, Hidalgo – 03 October 2011

On 01 October 2011, the

SSP reported the arrest of

four Los Zetas operators in

the Amaxac community

[21.059992,-98.415871] of

Huejutla de Reyes, Hidalgo.

Those individuals arrested

were identified as:

Javier

RODRIGUEZ

Mesa, 21, aka El

Comandante Negro

Arturo GONZALEZ Bautista, aka El Chuco

Pedro MARTINEZ Mendoza, aka El Perico

Daniel GONZALEZ Nuñez. He was arrested on 03 October 2011 near the San Felipe Prizatlan-

Huejutla Highway exit to La Ceiba community in Chililico, Huejutla.

Additional Information Regarding Javier Rodriguez Mesa

He joined the Mexican Army in 2006 and was assigned to the 74th Infantry Battalion in his

hometown of Cerro Azul, Veracruz. While working as a soldier, he also worked for Los Zetas.

In 2009, he deserted his position in the military and began working for Los Zetas on a full-time

basis.

Within the ranks of Los Zetas, he served as a hitman and as a „comandante de estacas‟ (leader of

a small cell composed of no more than seven hitmen) that operated in Poza Rica, Pánuco, Álamo,

Tantoyuca, Veracruz, and Tampico, Tamaulipas.

He confessed to having kidnapped at least 55 individuals and to having killed an estimated 60 (to

include members of rival gangs and Los Zetas deserters). He also stated that he has been

involved in multiple confrontations. Some of the crimes carried out by Javier Rodriguez Mesa

include:

o The kidnapping of 55 Gulf cartel operators. He said that he (and others) kidnapped them

during a three day time period from areas in Panuco, Veracruz, and Tampico,

Tamaulipas. He stated that 50 of these individuals were shot in the head and later

“cooked” (this refers to dissolving murder victims in acid).

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o The kidnapping of El Profesor (nickname) and his wife on 22 September 2011 in

Huejutla. He confessed that he took them to Alamo, Veracruz where he tortured them,

killed them, and dissolved their bodies in acid.

Spanish Source: http://www.historiasdelnarco.com/2011/10/detienen-zeta-que-dice-haber-ejecutado.html,

http://thenarcotimes.blogspot.com/2011/06/cae-el-puma-comandante-zeta-en-tabasco.html

Top of the Document

Authorities Arrest Three Los Zeta Operators in Huejutla, Hidalgo – 06 October2011

Authorities recently arrested three

individuals operating at the service of

Los Zetas after they were caught

driving three stolen vehicles on Central

Boulevard in Huejutla [21.138567,-

98.420012], Hidalgo. Following their

arrests, the now detained individual

stated that they were to deliver the

vehicles to Veracruz. Information regarding the stolen vehicles and those individuals now police custody

was reported as follows:

Fernando ESCOBAR Flores, aka El Nando, was arrested driving a white 2010 Chevrolet

Cheyenne with Tamaulipas plates WJ-06784 (reported stolen on 23 September 2011 from

Tuxpan, Veracruz). Following his arrest, Escobar was identified as a native of Panuco, Veracruz.

He began working for Los Zetas as a lookout, but following the disappearance of a Los Zetas

leader known as „Pay‟, Escobar was promoted to the leader of lookouts in Panuco (a position

known as RT). In December 2010, Escobar was arrested by soldiers, but was released after

authorities could not link him to any organized crime group.

Oscar VALDEZ Flores, aka La Mosca, was arrested driving a tan 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche with

San Luis Potosi plates TN-82662 (reported stolen in Naranjos, Veracruz). Following his arrest,

Valdez was identified as a native of El Higo, Veracruz. He also confessed to working under

Escobar, and informed police that he served as a lookout.

Héctor SÁNCHEZ Robles was arrested driving a white 2009 Chevrolet Silveradowith Veracruz

plates XN-09751 (reported stolen in Tantoyuca, Veracruz). Following his arrest, Sanchez was

identified as a native of El Higo, Veracruz. His role within Los Zetas was to transport and deliver

stolen vehicles.

Comment: Over the course of the last six months, authorities in the state of Hidalgo have arrested 228

individuals linked to organized crime activity.

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Spanish Source:

http://hidalgo.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/46f733b722786809300b7917bc97ec2d?quicktabs_1=0;

Top of the Document

GUERRERO

SSP to Improve Security Measures in Tourist Areas of Acapulco, Guerrero – 04 October 2011

The SSP reported that 200 security cameras will be installed

in popular tourist areas within Acapulco [16.864677,-

99.882202], Guerrero. At this point, 70 security cameras

have already been installed, with the end goal of installing

1,000.

Ramon Almonte Borja, the SSP Secretariat, explained that in

addition to increasing the number of security cameras,

images captured by the C-4 security system will be shared

with the IX Military Region, VIII Naval Region, and the

Federal Preventive Police to improve the response time of

authorities.

Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/5bd958fe1809546449f6d0fbb7ee48ab

Top of the Document

VERACRUZ Marines Dismantle Network of Police Officers Working at the Service of Los Zetas in Veracruz –

04 October 2011

Two operations conducted by marines led to the arrest of nine fugitives and the dismantling of a network

of police officers working at the service of Los Zetas in Veracruz. Details regarding these operations

were reported as follows:

Operation One:

On 19 September 2011, a citizen‟s tip led Marines to a location in the Rancho Viejo neighborhood of

[18.783304,-97.204199] Nogales, Veracruz. Once at the location, Marines arrested 14 individuals; nine

of which were identified as inmates that escaped from a Social Rehabilitation Center in Veracruz with the

help of Los Zetas. Investigators speculate that Los Zetas targeted these prisoners in an effort to recruit

them into their criminal organization. Those inmates now police custody were identified as:

Luis EDUARDO Martínez, aka El Beba

José Francisco KURG Ortiz, aka El Javier

Javier CALDERÓN Rodríguez, aka El Kico

Jorge ROMERO García

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Jaime SÁNCHEZ Aguilar, aka El Jimy

Luis Enrique PINEDO Orozco

Mario Elías ROSAS Ortiz, aka El Burra

Carlos BRETÓN Salinas, aka El Panzón

Miguel Ángel CARMONA Román

In addition to the inmates mentioned above, five Los Zetas operators were arrested in the same operation

and identified as:

Silverio BÁEZ Trujillo, aka El Chivo, in charge of taking care of the above listed men

Gerardo BÁEZ Pérez, aka El Gera, in charge of taking care of the above listed men

Juan RAMOS Urena, aka El Chino

Jose Luis PONCE Nava

Armando GUTIERREZ Castillo

Operation Two:

A second operation carried out in five separate municipalities in Veracruz led to the arrest of 18 police

officers allegedly operating at the service of Los Zetas. The arrests were carried out after Víctor OSORIO

Santacruz, aka El Pantera, a Cuidad Mendoza Municipal Police Commander was caught with $(MXN)

10,000 pesos and a payroll ledger containing the names police and commanders from different

municipalities working at the service of Los Zetas. Further investigations revealed that Santacruz served

as a liaison between police and that he directed operations in support of Los Zetas in the region. Those

individuals arrested in during this operation were identified as:

In Ciudad Mendoza [18.803618,-97.179565]

Alberto PAREDES Romero, Second Mobile Group Inspector

In Acultzingo [18.715845,-97.310028]

José Gorgonio LUGO Barojas, Commander

René ÁLVAREZ de la Rosa, Supervisor

José Gavino HERNÁNDEZ Reyes

Juan Gabriel NAVARRO del Campo

Sergio PÉREZ Rivera

Luis Alfonso AGUILAR Mora

In Huiloapan [18.828966,-97.124634]

Bernardo MARÍN Martínez, First Commander

Fabián HERNÁNDEZ Santiago

Alejandro MARÍN Martínez

Vitaliano DE LA CRUZ Rodríguez

Octavio NIEVES Morales

José Domingo RODRÍGUEZ Arenas

Heriberto MARCIAL Mora

In Rafael Delgado [18.811418,-97.073135]

Armando AREDO de Jesús, First Commander

Juan Carlos Gutiérrez Castillo

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In Río Blanco [18.836765,-97.140427]

Víctor Osorio Santacruz, Commander

José Aurelio RÍOS Avendaño, Commander

Following their arrests, these police officers stated that they were paid salaries ranging from $(MXN)

2,000 to $(MXN) 10,000 pesos per month for their services.

Comment: It was reported that Commander Osorio was initially arrested after he was caught consuming

alcohol in uniform in a public domain.

Spanish Source: http://www.historiasdelnarco.com/2011/10/marina-desarticula-red-de-policias-que.html

Top of the Document

JALISCO

PGJE Officers Arrest Six Los Zetas Operators to Include a 19-Year-Old Female Sicario in Jalisco –

04 October 2011

PGJE officers arrested six Los Zetas operators in

Jalisco. The individuals now in police custody were

identified as follows:

Paola Estefania MEDINA Salas, 19, aka La

Chucky. After questioning, she confessed to

having participated in nine murders and

having served as an informant during the

grenade attack conducted against the Butter

Club located on Lopez Mateos Avenue.

This attack left six dead and 30 wounded.

Jesus Alberto GARCIA Fernandez, aka El

Chuy, from Laredo, Tamaulipas

Juan Artemio RICO Saucedo, 29, aka El Nijuas, from Salinas, Coahuila

Estaban GONZALEZ Ortiz, 27, from Leon, Guanajuato

Jessy PEREZ Sanchez, 19, from Coahuila

Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ Ortega, 36, from Fresnillo, Zacatecas

Authorities have linked the above mentioned individuals to the murders of at least 12 individuals. Those

items seized following the conclusion of this operation included 12 weapons (AR-15s and AK-47s),

holsters, and more than 600 rounds of ammunition.

Spanish Source: http://www.proceso.com.mx/?p=283231

Photo Source:

http://www.eldiariodechihuahua.mx/notas.php?f=2011/10/04&id=ba659fe93c67f7fd99ffc1dd045e747c

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Top of the Document

MICHOACAN Results of Operations Conducted against La Familia Michoacana and Los Caballeros Templarios

in Michoacan – 05 October 2011

The following are the results of operations conducted by federal

police against La Familia Michoacana and Los Caballeros

Templarios between December 2006 and September 2011 in

Michoacan:

Arrested 2,825 individuals

Seized:

o More than 15 metric tons of marijuana

o 1,390 weapons

o 163,804 rounds of ammunition

o 1,090 vehicles

o 1,284 stolen vehicles

o 229 fragmentation grenades

o More than 4.7 million counterfeit items

o 3,170 magazines

o More than $(MXN) 5.2 million

o More than $(USD) 1.2 million

Comment: Los Caballeros Templarios became operational in January of 2011.

Spanish Source:

http://www.ssp.gob.mx/portalWebApp/appmanager/portal/desk?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=portlet_1_1

&portlet_1_1_actionOverride=%2Fboletines%2FDetalleBoletin&portlet_1_1id=922228

Top of the Document

AGUASCALIENTES

Thirteen Police Officers Working at the Service of La Oficina Arrested in Aguascalientes – 04

October2011

On 04 October 2011, 17 individuals to include 13 police officers were

arrested for their role in providing support to the criminal organization

known as La Oficina in Aguascalientes. For their participation in

providing information and carrying out murders, these individuals were

paid a weekly salary of $(MXN) 1,500 pesos. Those active municipal

police now in custody were identified as:

Alfredo ESCOBEDO Azpeitia

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Christian René LEOS Velázquez. In addition to working as an officer, he also served as a

bodyguard for Martin Orozco Sandoval, a PAN Mayoral candidate.

José Alfredo MERCADO Negrete

Roberto Carlos GARCÍA Leyva

José BECERRA Hernández

Daniel DURÓN Durón, aka El Panda

Claudia Verónica CARRILLO Vaquera, aka La Vaquera. At the time of her arrest, she was at her

home listening to police radio frequencies.

Genaro MACÍAS Zapata, aka El Zapata

Juan Miguel MELCHOR Tiscareño

León SERNA González

Javier González Luna

Obed SALINAS Antonio

Juan Carlos ZAMORANO Arena

Those former municipal police officers now in custody were identified as:

Maricela SÁNCHEZ Muñoz, aka La Mary/La Amiga

María Luisa BERMEJO López, arrested with a Motorola radio

Salvador RANGEL Pérez, aka El Hummer

Pablo RÍOS Velázquez, aka El Azul

These individuals are suspected in participating in the murder of the following individuals:

José Luis Marmolejo Díaz, municipal police officer

Jesús Camilo Reyes Gutiérrez, municipal police officer

Jesús Martín Ortiz Arias, municipal police officer

Héctor Alvarez Sandoval, municipal police officer

Antonio Flores Salas, municipal police officer

David Alba Ramírez, municipal police officer

Gerardo Medina Pérez, municipal police officer

Raúl Olvera Medina, municipal police officer

Samuel Servín Díaz, municipal police officer

Dionisio Palos Valadez

Gustavo Adolfo Vera Padilla

José de Jesús Lara de la Cruz

Roberto Nicolás Montoya Espinoza, aka El Grillo

José Eduardo Saucedo Saucedo

Adán Rafael Jiménez Beltrán, aka El Galán

Víctor Dávila Martínez

Oscar David Lomelí Bernal

Josué Chávez Zamorano

Rafael Rodríguez de Alba

Enrique Antonio Torres Martín

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Spanish Source: http://noticieroelcirco.blogspot.com/2011/10/los-policias-municipales-trabajaban.html

Top of the Document

Five Los Zetas Operators Arrested in Cosio, Aguascalientes – 06 October 2011

On 05 October 2011,

authorities set up a

checkpoint after receiving

a report regarding five Los

Zetas operators that had

stolen vehicle from a

family in Cosio,

Aguascalientes. Those

individuals arrested in

conjuction with this

operation were identified as:

Ricardo Nieves VALADEZ Macías, 21. His home address was identified as 122 Paraiso Street in

the Los Cedros neighborhood of Aguascalientes.

Rafael PALOS Ruiz, 27. His home address was identified as 120 Recinto Cactus Street Valle de

los Cactus neighborhood of Aguascalientes.

Adrián VALENZUELA Chavez, 27, native of Zacatecas.

Juan Luis GAYTÁN Romo, 17, native of Trancoso, Zacatecas.

Adán Emmanuel GUERRERO Rodríguez, 19, a native of Monclova, Coahuila.

Those items seized from these individuals following their arrests were identified as:

Three stolen vehicles to include:

o 1 white 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup with Zacatecas plates ZG-89-289

o 1 red 2010 Nissan Frontier pickup with no plates

o 1 red Ford Lobo with Aguascalientes plate AC-94-678

Multiple radio communications sets

Tools to include shovels

After searching the vehicles, authorities discovered two kidnapping victims in the back of the Dodge Ram

that were allegedly kidnapped from Las Plumas near Guadalupe, Zacatecas in a forced recruitment effort.

These same individuals stated that during the kidnapping, the Los Zetas operators were in constant

communication with an individual nicknamed Aries.

Spanish Source: http://www.lapoliciaca.com/nota-roja/intenso-operativo-al-norte-del-estado-para-detener-

a-5-zetas/; http://noticieroelcirco.blogspot.com/2011/10/militares-capturaron-5-zetas.html;

http://www.lapoliciaca.com/nota-roja/ejercito-y-estatales-detienen-a-cinco-zetas-en-cosio/

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