EAC AMCONSULATE TIJUANA - ARREST OF SIGIFREDO NAJERA

UNCLAS TIJUANA 000304 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DS, CA, DS/IP/WHA, AND MEXICO CITY FOR RSO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC KCRM PTER PINS SNAR MX SUBJECT: EAC AMCONSULATE TIJUANA - ARREST OF SIGIFREDO NAJERA TALAMANTES ¶1. (SBU) On March 23, 2009, Post's Core Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met to discuss potential impact relating to the arrest on Friday, March 20, 2009 in the Monterrey Mexico area of Subject, Sigifredo Najera Talamantes aka El Canicon. EAC participants included CONS/Acting CG, RSO, DEA, DHS-ICE, MGT, and ARSO/I. ¶2. (SBU) Post's Law Enforcement representatives informed the EAC members that Sigifredo Najera Talamantes aka El Canicon, was the Subject allegedly responsible for the Oct. 2008 attack on the U.S. Consulate General Monterrey, the murder of at least nine Mexican military officers, and several kidnappings. Subject was arrested Friday, March 20, in a joint DEA operation with GOM counterparts, along with six other defendants in the Monterrey area. Subject was the ZETAS plaza boss in Monterrey and works directly for Z-40. Subject is considered one of the most violent members of the ZETAS. ¶3. (SBU) Post's EAC determined that currently, EAC members had no threat information regarding the U.S. Consulate General Tijuana, nor were repercussions anticipated in our area related to this arrest. At EAC recommendation, RSO notified all Post employees of the event and reminded all staff to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times, exercise extreme caution in their daily activities, and practice security protocols. ¶6. (SBU) Tijuana's EAC will continue to monitor the security situation in Tijuana. All members will remain in close contact with their local U.S. and Mexican contacts regarding any new developments. For comments or questions, please contact RSO at 011-52-664-622-7464, or -7451. KRAMER STEWART