Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10TIJUANA35
2010-01-12 18:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Tijuana
Cable title:
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN EFFORTS TO COMBAT CARTEL VIOLENCE:
how-toVZCZCXRO6028 OO RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS DE RUEHTM #0035 0121804 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 121804Z JAN 10 FM AMCONSUL TIJUANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9724 RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO IMMEDIATE 6672 INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE RUEHTM/AMCONSUL TIJUANA 2520
UNCLAS TIJUANA 000035
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/TIA/PII, AND MEXICO CITY FOR RSO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KCRM PINS SNAR MX CASC
SUBJECT: MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN EFFORTS TO COMBAT CARTEL VIOLENCE:
ARREST OF KINGPIN `EL TEO' - EDUARDO TEODORO GARCIA-SIMENTAL
REF: TIJUANA 1275
UNCLAS TIJUANA 000035
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/TIA/PII, AND MEXICO CITY FOR RSO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KCRM PINS SNAR MX CASC
SUBJECT: MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN EFFORTS TO COMBAT CARTEL VIOLENCE:
ARREST OF KINGPIN `EL TEO' - EDUARDO TEODORO GARCIA-SIMENTAL
REF: TIJUANA 1275
1. (SBU) Mexican authorities arrested Eduardo Teodoro
GARCIA-Simental (alias `El Teo') in a residence in La Paz, Baja
California, Mexico at approximately 0500 hours on 01/12/2010.
The arrest resulted from a joint operation planned by DEA, U.S.
Marshal Service, and local authorities, as well as SSP Mexico
City intelligence and tactical units. Simental is being
transported to Mexico City for interview and processing.
BACKGROUND AND COMMENT:
2. (SBU) Eduardo Teodoro GARCIA-Simental was connected to the
splintered ARELLANO-Felix (AFO) drug trafficking organization
(DTO),before challenges for leadership beginning in 2006 led to
turf wars and ongoing violence in Tijuana and other Baja
California areas. Since then, El Teo has sought to take over the
region, and his efforts have been marked by extreme violence,
mutilation of bodies, pozoles (putting people in acid and
cooking them in barrels),kidnappings, and the use of
psychological tactics such as leaving `narco-messages' on
victims. El TEO had the backing of Joaquin GUZMAN-Loera and
Ismael ZAMBADA-Garcia for at least the last year.
3. (SBU) This arrest constitutes a major blow to the DTO that
has been responsible for the majority of kidnappings and murders
in Tijuana over the past two years. Although El Teo's
organization is losing a ruthless leader, past history suggests
that a power struggle will now ensure in which lower-level
cartel members will vie for the leadership position. Violence is
likely to continue.
4. (SBU) This will be a major story in the regional media, so
we expect attention will be focused on the U.S. role in this
important arrest. Post EAC will convene this morning to discuss
implications for the safety of Congen personnel and other
Amcits, and to determine if changes are needed in the security
profile of our post.
UNCLASSIFIED
KASHKETT
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/TIA/PII, AND MEXICO CITY FOR RSO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KCRM PINS SNAR MX CASC
SUBJECT: MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN EFFORTS TO COMBAT CARTEL VIOLENCE:
ARREST OF KINGPIN `EL TEO' - EDUARDO TEODORO GARCIA-SIMENTAL
REF: TIJUANA 1275
1. (SBU) Mexican authorities arrested Eduardo Teodoro
GARCIA-Simental (alias `El Teo') in a residence in La Paz, Baja
California, Mexico at approximately 0500 hours on 01/12/2010.
The arrest resulted from a joint operation planned by DEA, U.S.
Marshal Service, and local authorities, as well as SSP Mexico
City intelligence and tactical units. Simental is being
transported to Mexico City for interview and processing.
BACKGROUND AND COMMENT:
2. (SBU) Eduardo Teodoro GARCIA-Simental was connected to the
splintered ARELLANO-Felix (AFO) drug trafficking organization
(DTO),before challenges for leadership beginning in 2006 led to
turf wars and ongoing violence in Tijuana and other Baja
California areas. Since then, El Teo has sought to take over the
region, and his efforts have been marked by extreme violence,
mutilation of bodies, pozoles (putting people in acid and
cooking them in barrels),kidnappings, and the use of
psychological tactics such as leaving `narco-messages' on
victims. El TEO had the backing of Joaquin GUZMAN-Loera and
Ismael ZAMBADA-Garcia for at least the last year.
3. (SBU) This arrest constitutes a major blow to the DTO that
has been responsible for the majority of kidnappings and murders
in Tijuana over the past two years. Although El Teo's
organization is losing a ruthless leader, past history suggests
that a power struggle will now ensure in which lower-level
cartel members will vie for the leadership position. Violence is
likely to continue.
4. (SBU) This will be a major story in the regional media, so
we expect attention will be focused on the U.S. role in this
important arrest. Post EAC will convene this morning to discuss
implications for the safety of Congen personnel and other
Amcits, and to determine if changes are needed in the security
profile of our post.
UNCLASSIFIED
KASHKETT