Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
06HERMOSILLO55 | 2006-02-11 06:31:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Consulate Hermosillo |
VZCZCXRO3519 PP RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM DE RUEHHO #0055 0420631 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 110631Z FEB 06 FM AMCONSUL HERMOSILLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1275 INFO RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY 0373 RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE RUEHHO/AMCONSUL HERMOSILLO 1636 |
UNCLAS HERMOSILLO 000055 |
1. (SBU) The Consulate Hermosillo Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met February 10 to discuss a surge during the last week of drug-related violence and developments in the city and the state of Sonora. Some of the events that drew post's attention were: -- On February 7, beginning at 0830 hrs, UMAN police, a mixed unit that focuses on drug trafficking, engaged in a 90 minute pursuit of a van belonging to a local business (papeleria) through the streets of south Hermosillo. The chase took place in the area near the city zoo and the Ford assembly plant and, at times, reportedly reached speeds of 140 km/hr (over 90 MPH) before ending when two tires on the van were punctured. Police found a ton of marijuana in the van and detained two suspects. -- On February 8, soldiers at the Benjamin Hill inspection point (PRECOS) on Highway 15 North discovered more than two tons of marijuana hidden in a truckload of furniture. The driver said he had picked up his trailer in Hermosillo but denied any knowledge that he was transporting drugs. -- Also on February 8, people in two cars, apparently members of rival drug gangs, engaged in a shootout in north Hermosillo around 1930 hrs. Police intervened and detained one of the vehicles containing two suspects, both of whom are believed to be former Sonora State policemen, near a gated community where the Consulate houses one family and close to the homes of two FSNs. Police confiscated two AK 47 automatic weapons and a 38 caliber semi-automatic pistol. The second vehicle escaped. No one is known to have been killed or wounded in the exchange of gunfire. -- In the city of Navajoa on February 9, unknown gunman fired shots at a business and home belonging to a family named Enriquez, two members of which were murdered last year in organized crime violence. Reportedly, nobody was at home during this attack. No one was injured. 2. (SBU) The EAC considered whether these separate incidents could be characterized as a permanent change in the public security situation in the Sonora area of Consulate Hermosillo's consular district that would require changes in our local security posture. While drug and other crime-related street violence are common in parts of Sinaloa, such events have been relatively rare in Hermosillo. 3. (SBU) The EAC concluded that the situation requires careful vigilance but could not yet be described as a new trend or permanent condition of public insecurity. This is also the public posture of Roberto Ruibal Astiazaran, Secretary of Government for Sonora State. 4. (SBU) DEA is continuing its contacts with Mexican authorities to gain more information about these developments, but at this time the EAC does not recommend specific changes in procedures for Consulate personnel, or special warnings to the American community, in the aftermath of this higher level of public violence in Hermosillo over the last few days. 5. (SBU) The EAC did discuss in general terms what "tripwires" (specific credible threat, continuing higher levels of public violence, etc) might trigger revised security procedures. We will return to this question in future meetings. 6. (SBU) Participants in the EAC were PO Clarke, DEA RAC Martinez, Consular Section Chief Bendsen, ICE Agent Trevino, and Post Security Officer Fisk-Telchi. CLARKE |