F M S O Foreign Military Studies Office 731 McClellan Ave Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027 fmsoborder.watch@fmso.osis.gov 786-383-2296 Use of these articles does not reflect official endorsement. Reproduction for private use or gain is subject to original copyright restrictions. This report is a compilation of extract translations of Spanish language open source information and not evaluated intelligence. The complete articles in Spanish are available from FMSO. This briefing is FOUO and must be protected and controlled in accordance with U.S. standards. Latin America Military and Security Watch Table of Contents MEXICO SONORA Narco Tunnel Discovered in Nogales, Sonora 11 December 2011 CHIHUAHUA Hitmen Kill City Clerk of Gran Morelos and Wound Head of the SSP in Ciudad Chihuahua, Chihuahua 13 December 2011 Federal Police Arrest Female in Possession of Weapons and Ammunition in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua 12 December 2011 GUERRERO Results of Operations Conducted by the PGR in Guerrero 12 December 2011 JALISCO Results of Operations Conducted by the PGR in Jalisco 12 December 2011 NAYARIT Gunmen Attack Attorney General of Nayarit in Tepic, Nayarit 14 December 2011 BAJA CALIFORNIA PEP Agents Arrest Two Sinaloa Cartel Operators in Tijuana, Baja California 14 December 2011 MICHOACAN Gunfight between Soldiers and Gunmen Leaves Two Dead in La Piedad, Michoacan 12 December 2011 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 1
COAHUILA CERESO Director Murdered in Saltillo, Coahuila 14 December 2011 TAMAULIPAS Soldiers Conduct Raids in Rio Bravo and Ciudad Mier, Tamaulipas 14 December 2011 COSTA RICA PCD Officers Dismantle Drug Trafficking Cell in Alajuela, Costa Rica 10 December 2011 CARIBBEAN Individual Listed on the U.S. Marshalls 10 Most Wanted List Arrested in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 10 December 2011 DNCD Officers Seize 18 Kilograms of Cocaine from DHL Aircraft Bound for Puerto Rico in Las Americas International Airport, Dominican Republic 10 December 2011 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 2
MEXICO SONORA Narco Tunnel Discovered in Nogales, Sonora 11 December 2011 On 09 December 2011, soldiers discovered the origination point of a narco tunnel in the process of being constructed inside of a building in the Buenos Aires [31.331865,-110.936508] neighborhood of Nogales, Sonora. The tunnel measured 50 meters long and two meters high. Arrested in conjunction with this tunnel was one unidentified individual. No additional details regarding the narco tunnel have been disclosed at this time. Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/db67088cf9df48cfa689783cf1159e78 and http://www.historiasdelnarco.com/2011/12/ejercito-localiza-narcotunel-en.html CHIHUAHUA Hitmen Kill City Clerk of Gran Morelos and Wound Head of the SSP in Ciudad Chihuahua, Chihuahua 13 December 2011 On 13 December 2011 at approximately 0910 hours, a group of hitmen travelling in a white Suburban and an Altima vehicle ambushed a convoy of government officials on 120th and Silvestre Terrazas Streets [28.590005,-106.110806] in the Pavis Borunda neighborhood of Ciudad Chihuahua, Chihuahua. As a consequence of this attack, the City Clerk of Gran Morelos, Olaya Indira Gutierrez Montes, and her escort, Juan Alejandro Tarango Esparza, were killed. Wounded during this same attack were Miguel Angel Gomez Cabrera (Head of the SSP) and his wife and two children (ages 8 years and 2 months old). Recovered from the crime scene were multiple shell casings pertaining to AR-15s, and AK-47s weapons. Following the attack, police set up an operation to search for the aggressors, but all of them managed to escape. Police also reported that some of the vehicles in which the aggressors were traveling were recovered in the Campesina neighborhood. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 3
Comment: This is not the first time that government officials from Gran Morelos have been targeted by gunmen. In September of 2010, Ricardo Solis Manriquez, the Mayor of Gran Morelos, was attacked in Ciudad Chihuahua. Following this incident, he was hospitalized for over a year, and just returned to work on 22 November 2011. Spanish Source: http://www.reforma.com/nacional/articulo/638/1274176/?titulo=acribillan-afuncionariosen-chihuahua Federal Police Arrest Female in Possession of Weapons and Ammunition in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua 12 December 2011 On 09 December 2011, federal police arrested Indira VAZQUEZ Olivos, 27, after discovering she was transporting weapons, ammunition, and magazines in a gray Buick Century with Chihuahua plates 474SDZ7. The arrest in question was carried out on Roma Avenue [31.649235,-106.452949], near its intersection with Oasis del Libano Street, in the Pradera de los Oasis neighborhood. Those weapons seized from Vazquez included: (1) AR-15 (1) 5.56x45mm HK rifle (1).308 caliber G3 rifle (modified) (2) 9mm UZI submachine guns with 2 magazines (1) 9mm caliber magazine (1) 7.62mm disc magazine (2) 7.62mm caliber magazines (1).223 caliber magazine (488).223 rounds of ammunition (269) 7.62mm rounds of ammunition (30).44 caliber rounds of ammunition (20).41 caliber rounds of ammunition (67).45 caliber rounds of ammunition (150).40 caliber rounds of ammunition (28) 357 magnum rounds of ammunition (14).22 caliber rounds of ammunition UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 4
(69) 9x18mm rounds of ammunition (114) 9mm rounds of ammunition (10).380 caliber rounds of ammunition 1 black ballistic vest with the legend "Direccion General de Seguridad Publica" 1 blue ballistic vest with the legend "Ayuntamiento de Ciudad Juarez" 3 black ballistic vests 2 pairs of handcuffs 2 radios and 6 radio batteries 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=1010001 GUERRERO Results of Operations Conducted by the PGR in Guerrero 12 December 2011 PGR operations conducted between 01 and 30 November 2011 in Guerrero yielded the following results: Arrests: 50 Operations: 47 Drug Seizures: 149 kilograms of marijuana, 2 kilograms of marijuana seed, 6 kilograms of opium gum, 552 grams of cocaine, and 200 grams of heroin Weapon Seizures: 142 weapons, 6,909 rounds of ammunition, 278 magazines, and 3 grenades Spanish Source: http://www.pgr.gob.mx/prensa/2007/delega11/gue121211dpe554811.shtm JALISCO Results of Operations Conducted by the PGR in Jalisco 12 December 2011 The results of operations conducted by PGR officers during October and November 2011 in Jalisco were reported as follows: Arrests: 1,967 Destructions: 4 marijuana fields, 10 drug labs, Raids: 11 Drug Seizures: 15.7 metric tons of marijuana, 900 grams of marijuana seed, 3.8 kilograms of cocaine, 10.9 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 1,478 psychotropic tablets. Weapon Seizures: 396 weapons, 7,674 rounds of ammunition, 578 magazines, and 20 grenades. Cash Seizures: $(MXN) 2,302,627, and $(USD) 83,321 Miscellaneous Seizures: 80 vehicles, and 39 communication equipment sets. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 5
Spanish Source: http://www.pgr.gob.mx/prensa/2007/delega11/jal121211dpe554911.shtm NAYARIT Gunmen Attack Attorney General of Nayarit in Tepic, Nayarit 14 December 2011 On 14 December 2011 at approximately 0300 hours, a group of gunmen attacked a police convoy in which Edgar Veytia, the Attorney General of Nayarit, was traveling. The attack occurred outside of a residence belonging to Veytia in the El Pedregal de San Juan [21.498835,- 104.917288] neighborhood near the Libramiento Federal Highway, west of Tepic, Nayarit. Police repelled the attack which resulted in a 20 minute gunfight. During the shooting, some of the gunmen were wounded, but with help from their accomplices, they all managed to escape. Recovered from the crime scene were hundreds of AK-47 and AR-15 shell casings. Following the conclusion of this incident, police seized three vehicles (a gray armored Volkswagen Jetta plates RFC-69-84, a blue armored Ford Explorer, and a white Toyota Tacoma) that were abandoned near Jacarandas Avenue and the Libramiento Highway. Comment: Attorney General Edgar Veytia walked away from this attack without being harmed. Spanish Source: http://www.historiasdelnarco.com/2011/12/atentado-contra-el-subprocurador-edgar.html BAJA CALIFORNIA PEP Agents Arrest Two Sinaloa Cartel Operators in Tijuana, Baja California 14 December 2011 PEP officers arrested two Sinaloa Cartel operators after they stopped a white Nissan Altima for a routine search along Diaz Ordaz Boulevard [approximate location 32.486126,- 116.946416] in Tijuana, Baja California. Those individuals now in police custody were identified as: Jose Manuel VAZQUEZ Palomino, 42, driver of the vehicle. Carlos Enrique SIBAJA Luna, 39 Those items seized from these individuals included: 9.7 kilograms of marijuana (equal to 19,540 doses). 9mm handgun with 7 rounds of ammunition UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 6
9mm submachine gun with 24 rounds of ammunition After questioning, these individuals confessed to working under a cell headed by an individual nicknamed El Neto; an individual who was allegedly involved in the attack against the Tijuana General Hospital on 18 April 2007. They also gave up the location of a Toyota Scion that contained multiple weapons. This vehicle was parked on Colima Street [approximate location 32.486434,-116.975405] in the Villa de Otay sector of Tijuana, Baja California. Those items seized from this vehicle included: A.25 caliber handgun with 4 rounds of ammunition (25).25 caliber rounds of ammunition (50) 9mm rounds of ammunition Spanish Source: http://www.oem.com.mx/lavozdelafrontera/notas/n2348137.htm MICHOACAN Gunfight between Soldiers and Gunmen Leaves Two Dead in La Piedad, Michoacan 12 December 2011 A gunfight between soldiers and a group consisting of at least seven gunmen was reported in La Piedad [20.337062,-102.022219], Michoacan. During this confrontation, two gunmen were killed while the rest managed to escape. Items seized following this incident included two vehicles multiple and weapons. Comment: This is the third gunfight reported within a three day time period in Michoacan. The first was reported on 10 December in Los Reyes and left four soldiers wounded. The second was reported on 11 December in Tiquicheo and left five gunmen dead. Spanish Source: http://www.cambiodemichoacan.com.mx/vernota.php?id=164800 COAHUILA CERESO Director Murdered in Saltillo, Coahuila 14 December 2011 On 13 December 2011 at around 1330 hours, Serafín Peña Santos, the CERESO Prison Director, was murdered by a group of gunmen near the intersection of De La Cruz and Universidad Streets in the Jardines del Valle neighborhood [25.441201,- UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 7
100.999653] of Saltillo, Coahuila. At the time of the attack, Peña Santos was traveling in a white VW Jetta. Recovered from the crime scene were approximately 10 spent shell casings pertaining to 7.62x39mm and.223 caliber weapons. Comment: This incident took place in close proximity to elementary school number four as students and parents were preparing for the morning to afternoon class transfer. The school was immediately evacuated and classes were suspended for security reasons. Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/83485.html TAMAULIPAS Soldiers Conduct Raids in Rio Bravo and Ciudad Mier, Tamaulipas 14 December 2011 On 12 December 2011, soldiers working under the framework of Operation Noreste seized weapons, drugs, and properties from unspecified criminal organization while conducting patrols in Río Bravo [25.986132,-98.095207] and Ciudad Mier [26.430152,-99.146805], Tamaulipas. Details regarding individual incidents were reported as follows: Incident one: Troops seized the following items during the raid conducted in Rio Bravo: 20 rifles 3,508 rounds of ammunition 143 magazines 2 belts of machine gun ammunition (# of rounds unspecified) 9 vehicles, 3 of which were armored House Incident two: Troops seized 337 packages of marijuana weighing 556.6 kilograms from an unspecified location in Ciudad Mier. Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/ad85e60f5eb11cd60e06af39167cfee6 COSTA RICA PCD Officers Dismantle Drug Trafficking Cell in Alajuela, Costa Rica 10 December 2011 PCD officers recently arrested three drug traffickers in Alajuela, Costa Rica identified as: TREJOS Araya, 26, aka El Gordo, leader of the group UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 8
OBANDO Bustos, 21, aka El Negro AVILA Varela, 22, According to authorities, these men were operating in the area known as Las Gradas de Pueblo Nuevo located in San Jose [10.953832,-85.135803]. Spanish Source: http://www.prensalibre.cr/pl/suceso/55054-detienen-a-lider-de-banda-narco.html CARIBBEAN Individual Listed on the U.S. Marshalls 10 Most Wanted List Arrested in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 10 December 2011 A joint operation between intelligence agencies in the Dominican Republic and the U.S. led to the arrest of a man listed on the U.S. Marshalls 10 Most Wanted List. The arrest took place outside of a house on 1 st Street in the Holguin Sector [18.483578,-69.97849] of the Herrera neighborhood in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Details regarding this individual were reported in this source as follows: He was identified as a key drug trafficker in Puerto Rico. He was born in Puerto Rico, but managed to obtain counterfeit immigration papers in the Dominican Republic. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of Dominican social security card and drivers license. Authorities estimate that he was responsible for the distribution of an estimated 2,500 kilograms of cocaine. Comment: After his arrest, the man in question was extradited to Puerto Rico in U.S. plane N801MR from the San Isidro Air Base. For the name of the U.S. Citizen involved in this incident, please refer to the original Spanish source article. Spanish Source: http://www.elnacional.com.do/nacional/2011/12/10/104518/policia-rd-apresa-sucesor- Figueroa DNCD Officers Seize 18 Kilograms of Cocaine from DHL Aircraft Bound for Puerto Rico in Las Americas International Airport, Dominican Republic 10 December 2011 DNCD officers seized 18 kilograms of cocaine on a DHL aircraft bound for Puerto Rico at the Las Americas International Airport [18.429701,-69.668941] in the Dominican Republic. Arrested in conjunction with this seizure were two pilots and three Airport Security (CESA) UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 9
employees. Three of the individuals now in police custody were identified as follows: Leandro SOTO Mendez Victor NUÑEZ Celedonio Felix Gilberto TORRES Corchado (also reported as TORRES Machado), pilot for TRAMS company The identities of the remaining two individuals (CESA employees) were not disclosed. Comment: The investigation revealed that those CESA employees now in police custody delivered the cocaine to the aircraft in a CESA canine unit vehicle. Once in the aircraft, two other employees hid it within a secret compartment of the aircraft. Spanish Source: http://www.elnacional.com.do/nacional/2011/12/10/104521/localizan-avion-17-kiloscocaina UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 10