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 Los Chapitos. We also discuss the death of El Mago, a key figure of Los Chapitos in Los Angeles, and discuss whether his murder is related to his connection to Ivan Archivaldo. Lastly, we look at the capture of Juan Carlos Pizano, CJNG's Tapalpa plaza boss, who was said to be responsible for last Sunday's attack on military personnel in Teocalciche, Jalisco, that left three soldiers dead and three wounded.

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 uncle, and Pablo Acosta Villarreal, to his rise to the leadership of the Juarez Cartel. We also examine his ill-fated alliance with, first, Pablo Escobar, and, later, the Cali Cartel. Finally, we discuss the pressures that led Amado to seek the plastic surgery and lipo suction in a Mexico City hospital that led to his death, as well as the continuing rumors that he faked his death.

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 discussed in the memorandum, including the burden of proof on a criminal defendant in Mexico, the unique elements of a trial in Mexico, and the active role of Mexican judges in the prosecution of a criminal case. We also take a brief look at the memorandum's discussion of the status of the Camarena-related trials, including the identification of key defendants detained by Mexican officials.

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 cartels. Those reports provide critical insight on the key differences between CDS and CJNG, the breadth and scope of the cartel network in Mexico, and possible outcomes if the power and strength of CDS or CJNG are diminished in the future.

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 analysis of some of the underlying causes of this continuing problem. Finally, we discuss the differences between facts and truth, and focus on the subjective nature of truth. We also comment on the flaws of a position, asserted by many, that "I know the facts and I know the truth." Not a truth but the truth.

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 their way into the hands of criminals and Mexican cartels. In this Episode, we discuss some of the root causes of this gun trafficking problem, the involvement of Americans in the trafficking process, and recent interdiction efforts by a variety of American agencies.

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, including the possibility of retaliation against Americans in border towns, the identification of cartel members, and the sheer size of Mexico. Finally, we address the possible current cooperation between the two governments in light of recent actions in Culiacan and elsewhere.

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 impact of the cartels in Mexico, and the last calls for greater cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico to combat the cartels. Then, in conclusion, we highlight the number of factors contributing to the proliferation of cartels and the rise in drugs flowing into the U.S., while noting that professed solutions that fail to address these several factors ultimately are destined to fail.

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 for retribution and a possible revenge warning from Ovidio's brother, Ivan.

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 of Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, statements from Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros after his arrest, and the identification of Caro Quintero as one of the interrogators of Agent Camarena from the interrogation tapes. We also look at the trial testimony regarding the confrontation at the Guadalajara airport as Caro Quintero attempted to flee the city and contrast that testimony with the wild claims made by Agent Berrellez in press reports on the event.

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 prosecution and to scrutinize the curious timing of Cervantes Santos's allegations against Ruben Zuno-Arce and his disclosures of alleged kidnapping planning meetings.

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 murdered. Significantly, we compare this claim with prior claims by Agent Berrellez and consider the reasons they differ.

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 to the traffickers, and the role of Antonio Garate Bustamonte in connecting Harrison to the DEA and his coming to the U.S. Finally, and most strikingly, we detail what Harrison may have said about his intimate knowledge of the kidnapping and murder of Agent Camarena and question the silence of the DEA and the prosecution in the face of Harrison's claims.

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 with other witnesses at both trials, but also directly at odds with allegations and claims in The Last Narc. In the case of Frank Retamoza, the government gave him broad immunity and paid him and his family more than $900,000, despite his admission to multiple acts in aid of the traffickers, including taking $150 million from the U.S. to Felix Gallardo in Mexico. Curiously, the government made this arrangement despite the fact the Retamoza offered no direct testimony against either defendant on trial in Zuno II.

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 government wholly failed to fulfill the promises made in opening statements with respect to the case against Dr. Alvarez Machain, and consider the impact of the now suspect hair and fiber evidence presented by the government.

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 significance of this evidence on our consideration of the case as a whole and how it can inform our analysis of the unanswered and perplexing questions that remain all these years after Agent Camarena's tragic death.

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, political, and regulatory. Finally, we ask some questions about the article's conclusions and consider their application to the current CDS, including the divisions between Los Chapitos and the El Mayo faction of the CDS.

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 Mexican state governments. We also look briefly at the career of Manuel Bartlett Diaz and the allegations of corruption against him, in addition to the claims of some of his direct involvement in the abduction, interrogation, and/or murder of Agent Camarena.

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 political opposition, and the current state of politics in Mexico. The Episode's focus is less on "what" happened than on "why" events unfolded as they did, and how that recognition can inform us in understanding current policies, on both sides of the border, and how those policies can be changed or influenced.

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 Agent Malone, resulting in the exoneration of numerous criminal defendants. In this Episode, we examine the investigations into Agent Malone, his scientific methods, and testimony, examine his description of the forensic analysis at Lope de Vega, and his own statements on the impact of his trial testimony. The Episode concludes with an expression of my personal views on the overall prejudicial impact of Agent Malone's testimony.

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 case, we raise a few new questions as well.

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, the interrogations at Lope de Vega, and the confrontation at the Guadalajara airport, separating fact and fiction, and explaining the significance of these events in particular.

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 depictions in Narcos: Mexico relating to the Camarena case, strip away the dramatizations, and present a clear demarcation between fact and fiction.

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 Episode provides a historical recap of the Knights Templar and draws some parallels between their ultimate demise and the fall of other cartels.

The short reign of La Familia Michoacana as a key Mexican cartel was distinguished by their rapid growth, violent nature, and "unique" leaders, including the bible carrying Nazario Moreno González, known as El Más Loco ("The Craziest One"), and José de Jesús Méndez Vargas alias El Chango ("The Monkey" or "The Ape"). La Familia long had a fractured power structure which, together with defections to the Knights Templar, precipitated the cartel's demise. In recent years, a new La Familia Michoacana has announced its presence in parts of Mexico City and in Michoacan, where its methamphetamine business may be opposed by CJNG's aggressive growth in that state. This episode explores the rise and fall of La Familia Michoacana, examines its leaders, and details the cartel's rebirth.

The recent announcement by the Department of Justice of indictments in three federal courts of Los Chapitos and many of their associates was accompanied by significant detail on the Los Chapitos organization and the efforts of the DEA to infiltrate that organization. In this Episode, we look at the indictments themselves, the statements of the DOJ, and the materials presented by the DEA detailing the Los Chapitos organization. We then look at what the indictments and the DEA investigations mean to many central figures in the drug trade, on both sides of the border.

Led primarily by two former members of the Mexican special forces, Arturo Guzmán Decena and Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano, designated Z-1 and Z-3, respectively, the Zetas started as the military wing of the Gulf Cartel and became a fierce cartel, driven by military tactics and ruthless aggression. This Episode explores how, despite their miliary elements, internal fractionalization and external threats arising from their merciless actions led to the rapid downfall of the once-feared cartel. Today, Los Zetas are gone and all that remains are isolated factions and groups claiming, without much effect, to be its successors.

As part of our series analyzing the older Mexican cartels and, in particular, understanding their leaders, today we discuss Osiel Cardenas Guillen, who rose from being a mechanic in Matamoros to leader of the Guld Cartel. While heading CDG, Cardenas Guillen was directly responsible for the creation of Los Zetas, as well as the territorial and operational growth of the Cartel. He also made a curious display of power that drew the attention of law enforcement in Mexico and the United States, likely precipitating his arrest. Following Cardenas Guillen's arrest and eventual extradition to the U.S., the Zetas split from and battled with the Gulf Cartel. Today, the Zetas essentially are no longer, and the Gulf Cartel is little more than several smaller, much less powerful factions.

The Beltran Leyva brothers rose to a prominent role in the Sinaloa Cartel together with their long-time "friend" El Chapo, then splintered from the CDS, formed an alliance with Los Zetas, only to be decimated by arrests and killings. In this Episode, we examine the life of Alfredo Beltran Leyva in order to understand the BLO and to identify the reasons behind their blood feud with El Chapo. We also address the reasons for the BLO's ultimate fall, and, finally, we consider Alfredo's prosecution and imprisonment in the U.S., which finds him now residing at the Supermax facility in Florence, Colorado, alongside El Chapo himself.

Jesús Héctor Luis Palma Salazar, "El Guero" Palma, has led a tragic and violent life that has seen him rise from an impoverished childhood, to being a main cog in Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo's operation, to being a partner and friend of El Chapo Guzman. Along the way, El Guero lost his wife and sons to the violent ways of cartels, he was responsible for numerous killings, and has spent decades in prison. His tale is both a cautionary and a tragic one. His relationship with El Chapo also provides interesting clues about El Chapo's relationship with American agencies. Finally, El Guero is one of a dwindling few who may have knowledge or information significant to a true and more complete understanding the growth of the cartel system in Mexico and knowledge about cases of interest and import, including, but certainly not limited to, the tragic case of Agent Camarena.

The mythos of CIA involvement in the Camarena case warrants additional consideration and a renewed rebuttal. In this Episode, we set the stage for such reconsideration by reviewing CIA blacks ops, including public disclosures on black ops and a review of the CIA-backed Operation Gladio. We then turn our attention to allegations of CIA involvement in drug trafficking around the globe, as well as assertions of a period of cooperation between the CDS and the CIA. Finally, we look at interesting connections between recently convicted Genaro Garcia Luna and the CIA. Each of these elements provide a foundation a framework for a comprehensive assessment and (likely) rebuke of the allegations of CIA involvement in the Camarena case.

The rise of cartels in Mexico has been the result of a number of factors, including anti-drug efforts by law enforcement around the world, the structure of the Mexican government, and the adaptive nature of the cartels and their leaders. In this Episode, we use the "Organized Crime and Violence Special Report 2021" from the University of San Diego's Department of Political Science and International Relations to examine those factors, particularly in light of recent anti-cartel efforts on both sides of the border.

Dr. Alvarez Machain was a Guadalajara doctor who often provided medical services to drug traffickers, including Rafael Caro Quintero. Following the murder of Agent Camarena, a warrant was issued for his arrest and, in April 1990, Dr. Machain was "abducted" from Guadalajara, flown to El Paso, arrested, and charged with crimes connected to Agent Camarena's murder. Following Dr. Machain's arrest, his voluntary post-arrest interview and his trial as a defendant in Zuno II present a nuanced case study and call into question Dr. Machain's portrayals in dramatic programs and the statements made about Dr. Machain in "The Last Narc."

The Brooklyn-based trial of Genaro Garcia Luna, the former Secretary of Public Security of Mexico, has neared its conclusion. In this Episode, we look at the government's case, which was based primarily on the testimony of nine cooperating witnesses, and the defense arguments and tactics. We also consider what the Garcia Luna case says about prosecutions of cartel members and their alleged associates, both in the past and those yet to be held.

Mexican cartels have been steadily expanding their operations beyond North and Central America, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. In this Episode, we look at these expanded operations, their root causes, and the implications the growth could have on issues such as increased crime and terrorism. Finally, we look at the impact of the cartels' global presence on anti-drug and counter-cartel efforts in both Mexico and the United States.

The fentanyl crisis continues to attract media and Congressional attention. In this Episode, we look at the issue by first looking at the drug itself, its legal and illegal uses, and its manufacturing. We then investigate China's distribution of precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl, as well as Chinese money laundering operations that facilitate the production, manufacturing, and sale of fentanyl. Finally, we summarize the DEA's public comments regarding the role of Mexican cartels in the trafficking of illegal fentanyl in the United States and its focus on the CDS and CJNG, which the DEA says are the two cartels most responsible for the fentanyl crisis in America.

New and intriguing details of the January 5, 2023, arrest of Ovidio Guzman, one of Los Chapitos, the leaders of a prime faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, have continued to emerge both in the press and on social media. In this Episode, we look at those new details and try to draw some conclusions as to what they mean for Los Chapitos, CDS as a whole, and the relationship between CDS and the Mexican government.

CJNG and CDS dominate the cartel landscape in Mexico today. But the two cartels operate in distinct ways and have very different strategies, economically and structurally. In this Episode, we compare and contrast the operations of CDS and CJNG and identify key questions about the future of each cartel.

In order to understand today's Mexican cartels and the cartel wars, it is critical to understand the (mostly) men and families that formed and lead the cartels of today and the past. After looking at El Mencho and El Mayo, in this Episode we examine El Chapo's rise to power, his blood battles with the Tijuana Cartel and the BLO, and his arrest and extradition. We then look at the ascension of some of his sons, Los Chapitos, to leadership of, at least, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, their expansion of their father's business, and we speculate on their future and that of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Ismael Zambada Garcia, or "El Mayo," has been a key leader of the Sinaloa Cartel since 1989, overseeing the Cartel's rise to being one of the most influential drug trafficking, criminal organizations in the world. Despite his prominence, El Mayo has stayed in power for more than 3 decades by being a strategic thinker who has kept those in his organization happy and has given value to avoiding the spotlight and instead going unnoticed. In this Episode, we examine El Mayo's life, his leadership of CDS, and the future of CDS given El Mayo's age and health concerns.

CJNG has exploded into one of the largest and most successful Cartels in Mexico and is responsible for a significant portion of the drugs trafficked from Mexico into the US. CJNG's rise to power, it's almost unmatched brutality, and its economic prowess all can be attributed to its unquestioned leader El Mencho. Shockingly, the public information on El Mencho is minimal and filled with urban legend, gossip, and innuendo. In this Episode, we look at what really is known about El Mencho and discuss his confounding ability to evade arrest.

In June, the Congressional Research Service issued a report titled "Mexico: Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Organizations." In this episode, we look at the key elements of the report, including its analysis of current Mexican cartels, their illicit activities, and their leadership. We also discuss some of the drawbacks to or flaws in the report and how they affect policy considerations in both the U.S. and Mexico.

Steve Duncan is a retired Special Agent with the California Department of Justice where he spent years investigating the AFO on both sides of the border. In this Episode, Steve shares his extensive knowledge and unique perspectives on the AFO, dispels oft repeated misinformation, and provides critical insight into this brutally prolific cartel and its leaders.

After a few reports of issues, here is a new version of Episode 35.

Over the last few months, many listeners have asked questions about Mexican cartels today, the Camarena case, and the traffickers in Guadalajara at the time of Agent Camarena's abduction. In this episode, I answer some of the most popular questions, discussing the current turf battles in Mexico and the leadership of the cartels. We also examine Agent Camarena's abduction and some of the key circumstances surrounding his interrogations.

As our discussions move beyond just the Camarena case, listeners may not be familiar with the significant Mexican cartels or their most notorious leaders. This Episode provides a high-level history of the cartel-system in Mexico, identifies the prominent cartels and their areas of influence in the U.S., and discusses the two most known and infamous leaders of Mexican cartels today -- El Mencho and El Mayo.

The SEDENA hacked documents reviewed thus far have provided new insights into the extradition process between Mexico and the United States, including U.S. efforts to increase the number of extraditions from Mexico, and, specifically, its strong desire to have Caro Quintero extradited. Also, the hacks provide clear evidence of Caro's involvement in drug trafficking following his release in 2013, including his assumption of control of the Beltran Leyva Organization in 2017. In this episode, we look at these revelations from the SEDENA documents and speculate on what they may mean in relation to the possible extradition of Caro Quintero and its timing.

As time goes by, finding concrete facts relating to the Camarena case becomes more and more difficult. In this episode, though, we look at testimony and statements from Godoy and Lopez regarding an alleged meeting at the Las Americas Hotel and a February 7 meeting where it is claimed Manuel Bartlett Diaz was present. In contrast to the uncorroborated statements of Godoy and Lopez, we look for verifiable facts -- statements, affidavits, pictures, and contemporaneous press reports to question the veracity of those claims.

In a recent telephone conversation, Agent Berrellez made several assertions and asked me to look at them with an open mind, to which I agreed. In this episode, we analyze those assertions seeking factual support and consistency. In the end, our review leaves us questioning many of the contentions aired in "The Last Narc" and doubting the veracity of the witnesses relied upon by the prosecution, Agent Berrellez, and the filmmakers.