DRUG CARTELS INFILTRATE THE QUIET STATE OF ZACATECAS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MONTERREY 000190

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/20/2019
TAGS: SNAR KCRM PGOV CASC ASEC MX
SUBJECT: DRUG CARTELS INFILTRATE THE QUIET STATE OF ZACATECAS

REF: A) 2008 MONTERREY 414; B) 2008 MONTERREY 089

MONTERREY 00000190 001.2 OF 002


CLASSIFIED BY: Bruce Williamson, Consul General, Monterrey,
State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)

1. (C) Summary. Although the state of Zacatecas appears
relatively free from narcotics violence, two recent events
demonstrate the extent to which the drug cartels have
infiltrated the state government. On May 16 a convey of armed
men freed 53 prisoners from a state prison in five minutes,
without any resistance by prison authorities. Many of the
escapees were low level members of the Gulf/Zeta drug cartel.
The next day it was reported that the Monreal family, the most
important political clan in Zacatecas, was being investigated
for having 14.5 tons of marijuana in a family owned warehouse.
Ricardo Monreal is a popular former Governor and current federal
Senator, and his brother David is the mayor of the second
largest city of Fresnillo. David lamely claimed that the 14 tons
of marijuana had been planted in his warehouse for political
purposes. Although in the past post has reported the influence
of the drug cartels within the state of Zacatecas, these events
prove even deeper penetration of the drug cartels into the state
government itself. End Summary.

Daring Prison Break and Marijuana Warehouse


2. (U) A convey of 30 men in a convoy of vehicles approached
the prison in the early morning hours of May 16, backed up by a
helicopter. They were able to free 53 convicted felons,
including two amcits, in five minutes, without any resistance
from the prison guards or officials. Many of the escapees
appear to be lower level Gulf/Zeta operatives. Military and
state police forces set up checkpoints, but they have not been
able to capture any of the escapees. Zacatecas Governor Amalia
Garcia has asked for the resignation of the prison director, and
the Federal Attorney General's office (PGR) has taken 51 prison
officials into custody under suspicion that they were involved
in the escape plan.


3. (U) On May 17 there were news reports that in January the
Mexican military raided a warehouse owned by David and Candido
Monreal and found 14.5 tons of marijuana, as well as drug seeds,
and molds to pack the drugs. The raid was based on an anonymous
tip. The military also arrested two people at the warehouse,
who were subsequently freed during the prison break on May 16.
The warehouse had been owned by the Monreal family for years,
and it is used to process chile plants. The family claims that
the warehouse was empty during the winter months. The federal
Attorney General's office (PGR) is reportedly investigating the
family's ties to the Zeta drug cartel and narcotic trafficking.


4. (SBU) The marijuana bust at the Monreal warehouse is
politically explosive because the Monreal clan is the most
powerful political group in Zacatecas. Ricardo Monreal was the
PRD Governor of Zacatecas from 1998 to 2004 and is currently a
federal senator. Ricardo and current PRD Governor Garcia have
feuded, and Ricardo supported his brother David's successful run
for mayor of Fresnillo representing the PT party. Garcia
retaliated by moving to expel Ricardo from the PRD party, but
ultimately the matter was dropped. However, in the last few
days Ricardo has dropped the PRD to become a Senator for the
leftist PT (Partido de Trabajo or Workers Party). Zacatecas
will hold its next election for Governor in 2010, and David
Monreal alleges that the 14.5 tons of marijuana were planted in
the family warehouse as part of a political campaign to
discredit the PT party.


5. (C) Although Zacatecas appears calm on the surface, post
has previously reported that the drug cartels are active in the
state. Zacatecas has suffered few drug executions and it is a
popular colonial vacation spot. However, in August 2008 Post
met with the mayor of Juchipila, Zacatecas, who reported that
Zetas controlled his area as part of a drug transit route and
several members of his police force had quit in fear. The mayor
said that he had requested help from the Zacatecas Secretary of
Government Carlos Pinto Nunez, but had not received any
assistance (see reftel A). He further charged that the state
police were infiltrated by the cartels. In contrast, in an
earlier meeting with conoffs Pinto had lauded the cooperation
between the federal, state and municipal police in Zacatecas on
narcotics issues. Several press sources disagreed, stating that
the security situation was rapidly declining and they had
received threats against their newspapers (reftel B).


6. (C) Comment. These incidents demonstrate that even in a
quiet state the drug cartels' tentacles can reach far inside
state government and political institutions. The apparent
involvement of the Monreal family in drug trafficking is
particularly disturbing, since they are the most popular
political force in the state. Post will continue to monitor the
nebulous links between the drug cartels and political figures in

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our consular district. End Comment.
WILLIAMSONB