She joined the Gazette in 2016. A sixth. Of the 17 defendants, 11 are from Mexico, four from El Salvador, and two are from California. He notified her Saturday evening that his girlfriend was expecting the couple's first child and shared the positive pregnancy test via a text message. Rivera-Beltran then called Antonio Ortiz and old him "s*** went to hell," and that they needed to save what they could because there was a lot of "work," believed to be drugs, at the house, according to the indictment. Taking over a trade once ruled by drug cartels and turning it into an all-cash business could make pot shops prime targets for extortion, black-market competition and robbery. The Biden administration has sanctioned eight Mexican companies it says are involved in a timeshare fraud scheme benefiting the Jalisco cartel, a notorious drug organization that the US government says traffics a significant proportion of the illegal fentanyl and other drugs that enter the US. According to the DEA, Mexican drug cartels continue to expand their presence and forge partnerships with other transnational gangs, U.S. street gangs, prison gangs, and Chinese money laundering organizations. In late June, the indictment says Zytacua continued speaking to multiple customers about selling cocaine, meth and heroin. He reportedly operated under the aliases of 'El Gus' and 'El Baby Syko.'. DENVER Authorities on Wednesday announced the indictments of 30 people who are accused of being members of a Denver-based drug trafficking group with suspected ties to a Mexican cartel, according to officials and court documents. Investigators believed the group was connected to a Mexican cartel, a criminal complaint said. There were 234,062 undocumented immigrants apprehended at the Texas-Mexico Border in 2015, a drop from the previous year which saw 315,803 people seized, according to the presentation. The cartel invests substantially to ensure that the right people are in key positions so as to further their objectives. A report by the agency's National Drug Intelligence Center says the Juarez and Sinaloa. Rivera-Beltran specifically mentioned that a load of drugs agents believed to be cocaine that was arriving the first week of September, lamented that one of his loads had been taken, and offered the informant "1,000 almonds" which investigators believed to be fentanyl pills, according to the indictment. "This was an industry here that created a lot of challenges," Daniels told WDVR television news in Denver Jan. 7. Disclosure: 13 US Cities That Are Crowded By Mexican Drug Cartels is originally published at Insider Monkey. Their second choice for leadership positions are U.S. citizens of Mexican origin. The DEA "assesses that the following six Mexican TCOs as having the greatest drug trafficking impact on the United States: Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, BeltranLeyva Organization, Juarez Cartel, Gulf Cartel, and Los Zetas Cartel". In 2017, 16-year-old Nathaniel Czajkowski was shot to death in Albertacos while eating with three friends, two of whom also were shot. RELATED: DEA warns of increase in fake prescription pills containing fentanyl, meth. He revealed that the soldiers forced him into making a video statement in which he claimed the group was responsible for the incident in exchange for sparing his life. Rivera-Beltran said he arrived in Phoenix that day around 5 a.m., which was confirmed by GPS, told him to hide the money well, and Escamilla to bring 55 stacks of $100 bills to reduce bulk, according to the indictment. Guzman-Loera is the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, becoming involved in drug trafficking in the late 1980s. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. It is the 4th most powerful Mexican drug cartel operating in the United States. Escamilla then had a conversation with Nancy Vargas, and told her he had a suitcase/bag in his house that she needed to remove, as well as guns and money, according to the indictment. The DEA's 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment lists nine Mexican cartels, including El Chapo's Sinaloa Cartel, as the major importers of drugs to the U.S. in 2020. Denver police are taking a wait-and-see posture as to what may emerge. Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is the youngest of the top 6 Mexican drug cartels. 9Wants to Know examined a situation report from the US Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center, which says the Juarez and Sinaloa cartels are active in five Colorado cities. Its origins can be traced to the Guadalajara cartel, which was one of Mexico's largest crime organizations in the early 1980s. kaitlin.durbin@gazette.com, Colorado Springs restaurants appear to be implicated in alleged drug money laundering scheme, expected to be sent to Colorados maximum-security prison in Florence, 16-year-old Nathaniel Czajkowski was shot to death in Albertacos, Feds: El Chapo's sons indicted on drug conspiracy charges, Survey: Coloradans happy with State Patrol, but not traffic safety, Two teens accused of using cocaine at Colorado Springs high school, Alex Murdaugh trial: Autopsy photos shown, and witnesses paint graphic picture as trial continues, Stimulus update: Direct payment worth up to $400 to be available for Massachusetts residents in 12 days, New downtown Colorado Springs transit center plans updated, councilman calls it a 'boondoggle'. Juarez Cartel is also the only Mexican cartel that uses El Paso as a major hub. Based in the city of Guadalajara, CJNG is the fastest growing drug cartel and the second biggest player in the United States. [The sniper rifles flowing to Mexican. A Mexican cartel enforcer says Ciudad Juarez is headed for another war >>. Based on calls and surveillance, the investigators said, it was clear a drug transaction took place for more than seven grams of meth. "Mexico is already in Colorado without the risks," the agent, who requested anonymity, said of the state's heavy pre-existing cartel presence. Todays action exposes this CJNG scheme and also serves as a warning to potential victims, many of whom are elderly, she added. Peterson and a confidential informant said that cocaine was provided by Adrian Santana, and the indictment says Peterson showed text messages from Santana instructing him to pick up the drugs at 6600 Kearney Street. NOBODY AND I MEAN NOBODY IN BOULDER WANTS THAT SHIT WEED FROM MEXICO!!! Jalisco New Generation. Flores was identified as Ortiz's girlfriend and told troopers she had driven from Phoenix to Denver to see her boyfriend. While the wiretap investigation was beginning, the indictment says an undercover officer was introduced to Saul Ramon Rivera-Beltran. Behind the nicknames of notorious Mexican drug cartel figures In Texas, the many offices appear to have their time spent dealing with cases involving the Sinaloa, Gulf, Juarez, the Knights Templar . The coalition's members operate in concert to protect themselves, relying on connections at the highest levels and corrupting portions of the federal police . Contests & Promotions, 2023, Pikes Peak Television, Inc. Colorado Springs, CO, USA, Special Forces soldier who never quit to receive Medal of Honor nearly 60 years after grueling firefight, DOJ ramps up its allegations that Texas is judge-shopping in cases against Biden, Germanys Olaf Scholz to meet Biden on Friday after transformative year, Woman pleads guilty to threatening Michigan 2020 election official. The attacks are in response to the arrest of El Chapo's son Ovidio Credit: AP. You can get killed for just walking around the east side.' The gangs appear to be targeting stores, vehicles and bystanders in response to disputes or attempts to capture gang members. It has popped around the world, from Hong Kong to Australia and Argentina to Europe. Market data provided by Factset. Claims of jury misconduct arose after a juror told VICE News in February 2019 report that several jurors followed media accounts of the three month-long trial. The money was seized from alleged members of the Guzman Loera drug cartel . He also made calls to customers and suppliers throughout the month, the indictment says. There are reasons to doubt the cohesion of the Sinaloa cartel, especially in light of the protracted incarceration of its nominal leader, Joaqun "El Chapo" Guzmn, and recent reports of infighting between factions of the group in Sinaloa state, its heartland. Is comparing Colorado Springs' and Denver's homeless populations fair or unfair? "Consistent with previous years, the Sinaloa Cartel maintains the widest national influence, with its most dominant positions along the West Coast, in the Midwest, and in the Northeast. Wow, cross and walk down the streets of Nuevo Laredo as everyone there stairs at you. There are at least 13 U.S. cities that are used as distribution hubs by the Mexican drug cartels. Thursdays sanctions were accompanied by an alert issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control in order to make the public aware of telephone, email, and letter scams involving individuals falsely claiming to represent OFAC and requesting payments. OFAC does not collect this type of payment from the public. POLL: How will the Rockies fare this season in the NL West? Were a police department, were always concerns about what may happen.. I can buy a pound in texas for 300 to 400 and bring it to MN and sell for 1000-1500 and thats where all the shit brick trees go, Mexican drug cartels are getting into the game of hydroponics. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider "This group I put together is designed specifically to protect product, people, and money. They've inspired songs and telenovelas. New Terms of Use; New Privacy Policy; Your Privacy Choices; Closed Captioning Policy; Help; Contact Us; This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or . Around 6:43 p.m., agents watching the carport saw Tarango-Rodriguez arrive, and Trevizo got on the phone, according to the indictment. Agents saw Escamilla arrive at the rental car agency, and tracked him back to his home where he loaded the rental truck with several backpacks and a tan bag, the indictment says. Vallejo-Gallo, a Mexican national, faces 20 years to life in prison. More information about the case was not available on Wednesday, as some of the court documents remained sealed. Cartel boss Carlos Enrique Sanchez, 'El Cholo', appeared in a video shortly before found dead in a Mexico park. A K9 alerted to the car, and a search warrant was excited that led to the discovery of 30,000 suspect fentanyl pills weighing around 3,433 grams hidden behind the taillight, according to the indictment. I keep reading how "nobody" wants that Mexican "shit weed"? Zambada now is assumed to head the Sinoloa Cartel. A similar incident occurred on 5 November when a group of cartel gunmen executed a pair of drug dealers from a rival gang on a beach at Puerto Morelos, another popular beach area south of Cancun. She is a proud Ohioan, champion for local libraries, volunteer reading tutor and an expert ice cream connoisseur (mint chocolate chip!). Antiono Ortiz the said that he wanted Escamilla to transport $70,000 for him as well, and Rivera-Beltran called Escamilla the next day to confirm the amounts he was taking on the trip. Mexican authorities have yet to comment on Mata's and Martnez's alleged links to the notorious criminal organization. But, according to the most recent report from the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Sinaloa cartel and traffickers affiliated with it still control the lion's share of the US market for illegal narcotics. 'The Sinaloa and Juarez cartels are active from the Starbucks locales there in Boulder!' This crime, which can defraud victims of their life savings, results in another significant revenue stream for the cartel and strengthens its overall criminal enterprise. Wilberto Mata was shot 10 times by soldiers following a high-speed chase pre-dawn Sunday after the driver, 21-year-old American Gustavo Surez, failed to stop. Here are our rankings using DEA's data: Los Zetas Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses New Orleans as a major hub. Rafael Caro Quintero, a drug lord known as "the narco of narcos" who was behind the killing of a US drug enforcement agent in 1985, has been captured by Mexican forces nearly a decade after. The Sinaloa Cartel's criminal activity in the Ciudad Juarez and El Paso area included the violence that occurred during the war between the Juarez Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel, which led to the death of thousands of people in Ciudad Juarez and throughout the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Durango. When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? On Aug. 31, the indictment says, the same confidential informant called Rivera-Beltran again. The DEA said the organization was led by Saul Ramon Rivera-Beltran, 30, of Thornton, who would order drugs and have couriers pick them up. ", Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. On Wednesday, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced a 19-count indictment filed in Douglas County against 19 suspects. That would be one way to break up with someone you don't like, huh? A cellphone of Jose Aguilar-Martinez, who purported to own the unregistered wholesale distributor El Potosino Foods, had significant contact with suspected cocaine distributors in the city and in Pueblo and was linked to Guzmns and Zambadas trafficking, the complaint says. Jonathan Aguilar did not survive after he was struck in the temple. Dunque also relayed the information that many Mexican drug cartels are now . Documents filed Wednesday . On Aug. 29, a confidential informant received a call from Rivera-Beltran, and, the indictment says, they discussed meth. The U.S. war on drugs began under the administration of Pres. When authorities arrived at the residence to serve the warrant, the indictment says, officers made contact with Gustavo Labrador-Valderrama, as well as Christian Gerardo Beltran-Beltran, who ran away from the scene. (File, courtesy of KKTV). The Biden administration has sanctioned eight Mexican companies it says are involved in a timeshare fraud scheme benefiting the Jalisco cartel, a notorious drug organization that the US government . In a traffic stop of one suspect in January, investigators seized about 1,000 fentanyl pills that were hidden in a vent inside the vehicle, according to the complaint. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The latest breaking news, delivered straight to your email! Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. I am a regular poster to bb and I live in Boulder, We have 50,000 college students and more hippies then woodstock, We have more medical marijuana dispensaries than starbucks and ALOT of people smoke weed in this city, If the cartels are here they stay hid really well, The police are so lax on tokers here you could blow smoke in their face and they would smile, From a business perspective I'm sure Boulder is a giant cash cow for them. The indictment says six rectangular bricks with "CHANEL" stamped on them that tested positive for cocaine were found in the vehicle. Sinaloa Cartel. In another call on Sep. 27, the indictment says Rodriguez told Rivera-Beltran that the money had been seized, and that Vargas was getting items out of Escamilla's house. DEA special agent Robert Murphy said the SRT recently took down a dangerous Mexican cartel's methamphetamine conversion lab at a house in Gwinnett County. You have permission to edit this article. Rivera said Escamilla had left Colorado to deliver the $170,000, which agents knew to be a lie because Escamilla's GPS pings were still in Colorado, the indictment says. Rivera-Beltran said he believed he was followed by law enforcement a few days earlier, according to the indictment. Police believe the shooting was tied to a drug deal that took place along West Monica Drive near . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. BLO activities remain more dispersed throughout the United States, with heavier concentrations in areas with large heroin markets," said the DEA. "And that's extremely scary.". In August, the indictment says, agents began wiretaps on the phone number that belonged to Rivera-Beltran. "Mexican drug cartels in Boulder (Nanooo Nanooo), NORAD Central/ Air Force Academy and Dullsville-Pueblo, too. The Sinaloa cartel is the oldest cartel currently operating in Mexico, and it controls significant chunks of that country, particularly on the Pacific coast. it goes to MN,IA,MI,WI states like that. On Sept. 20, the indictment says, Rivera-Beltran called Escamilla, who said he had about $170,000, and told Escamilla to bring $120,000 and leave $50,000.