MEXICAN MILITARY CONTINUING TO ARREST LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MONTERREY 000250

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC SNAR CASC KCRM PHUM KIPR PGOV MX
SUBJECT: MEXICAN MILITARY CONTINUING TO ARREST LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS
IN NUEVO LEON

REF: MONTERREY 0213

MONTERREY 00000250 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) Summary. In the last four weeks the Mexican military
has stepped up their operations in Nuevo Leon resulting in high
profile arrests of corrupt police officers and large seizures.
While the military operations coincide with stronger rhetoric
from President Calderon and there are allegations he is using
the military for political gain, in Nuevo Leon recent polls show
there has been no effect on the races in the upcoming July 5
elections. The string of military successes is supported by
residents - especially the rounding up of dirty police officers
- and is likely to continue. However, the attempted kidnapping
of the Monterrey's Overseas Security Council (OSAC) President
shows that the cartels are still able to flaunt their power in
the region. End Summary.



Military Continues Clean Up of Local Police




2. (U) The Mexican military and federal police have entered a
fourth week of raids of local police stations in Nuevo Leon.
The military and federal police began arresting local police
officers on June 1 based on payoff lists found during drug
seizures the previous month. The raids have resulted in the
arrests of nearly 100 police officers - including some high
ranking officials (See Reftel). While some of the officers and
almost of the police commanders have been released, pending an
investigation, most remain in police custody awaiting formal
charges. Of those still in custody, 25 claim they have been
tortured by the military to providing confessions. A few of the
officers did show visible signs of injuries and the claims are
being investigated by the National Human Rights Commission.




3. (SBU) The largest daily newspaper, El Norte, reported that
the military recovered another list with 300 names of an police
officers during a June 23 raid on a safe house. However, Nuevo
Leon's Secretary of Public Security denied the list existed in a
June 24 statement. Unlike previous lists, El Norte reported the
recent list contains names from the State of Nuevo Leon SWAT
unit and ministerial police. If the new list does exist, it
would be especially damaging as the ministerial police agency is
the agency responsible for investigating drug related crimes,
including the police officers arrested in previous raids.



Military Crackdown on the Cartels Not Limited to Narcotics




4. (SBU) On June 17, Mexican military forces arrested high
ranking Gulf Cartel member Gabriel `El Gaby' Ayala, also often
referred to as the `czar of pirated goods,' and 13 others in
Monterrey. As part of the raid, the military closed down ten of
Ayala's production sites and seized five tons worth of illegal
music, movie and software discs. In addition to the sale of
pirated goods, Ayala is reported to have earned nearly US$2
million per month through extortion of local merchants.
Previous raids of pirated goods conducted by local police
officers often focused only on seizing illegal goods at the
street level. This recent arrest underscores the direct link
between drug trafficking organizations and pirated merchandise,
and could be a positive sign the military will take on the
ringleaders of IPR violations.



Public Support Strong - Military Action Apolitical




5. (U) The public remains supportive of the military's effort
to clean up the local police forces, especially after a tense
standoff on June 8 in the Monterrey suburb of San Nicolas
between federal and local police forces. During the
confrontation, local and federal police officers pointed guns at
one another threatening to fire. No one was injured in the
standoff but the images of the dueling police officers shocked a
city already shaken by increasing drug violence. The following
day, military forces began seizing the assault rifles and
cellular phones of local police forces to prevent future
altercations. The public supports the raids despite the news of
potential human rights abuses against the arrested police

MONTERREY 00000250 002.2 OF 002


officers. Trying to capture the popularity of the military, the
local PAN political party has even proposed using military
officers to lead local municipal police forces.




6. (SBU) With local and federal midterm elections only 10 days
away, the increase in military operations and a sense of
increasing violence has not had an impact on the electorate.
The two major political parties, the PAN and PRI, will likely
hold on to the same number of federal deputy seats as they
currently hold (PAN 9 to the PRI's 6); the gubernatorial race
remains too close to call as it has been for several months; and
the control of the city halls of the largest towns in Nuevo Leon
will not likely switch to different parties. The national
`vote none of the above' campaign which is capturing the
frustration the public feels towards the political parties in
some parts of Mexico has gained little traction in Nuevo Leon.



But Still Security is Lacking . . .




7. (SBU) Notwithstanding the military's achievements over the
past month, much remains to be done. Emblematic is a recent
incident from last week. Gulf Cartel members attempted to
kidnap the regional head of security for the railroad company
Kansas City Southern (KCS),Raul Falcon, on June 19. Falcon
also serves as the president of the local chapter of OSAC. The
likely captors attempted to surround Falcon at his office in
Matamoros near the U.S. border but he was able to escape and
flee to the United States. Falcon was responsible for the
recent interdiction of two large drug shipments on KCS trains
and this is the most likely motive for his kidnapping. Post RSO
has spoken to Falcon since the kidnapping attempt and has
learned that he has resigned from his position at KCS. His
current whereabouts are unknown.




8. (SBU) Comment. The Mexican military has clearly been more
active in recent months and the offensive will likely continue
based on strong public support. While the arrest of corrupt
police officers is welcome news for the public, the arrests have
demoralized the remaining police officers. The arrests have
also caused a vacuum of leadership in the local police forces
that has created additional uncertainty. This uncertainly will
continue until the newly elected governor and local mayors take
office on October 4 and are able to install their new law
enforcement directors. End Comment.
WILLIAMSON