Gypsy Jan - 4-20-2009 at 02:02 PM
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A cartel engaged in Mexico's deadly drug wars has told its members to avoid heavy drinking and using narcotics and live a
clean family life as it tries to build a well-run criminal organization, police say.
Rafael Cedeno, a leader of "The Family" cartel based in the western state of Michoacan, told police after he was arrested at the weekend he had
trained several thousand cartel members with courses in ethics and personal improvement.
"The indoctrination of this group consisted of courses they considered to be for personal improvement, values, ethical and moral principles of the
criminal gang. The objective was for the subordinates to avoid drugs, hard drinking and maintain family unity," the federal police said in a
statement.
Cedeno, 47, was picked up at a family baptism on Saturday with 43 others after a raid by police in helicopters. Accusations against him include
ordering the murder of rivals and running prostitution rings of young girls.
About 6,300 people died in the bitter war between Mexico's drug cartels last year. The conflict has spilled over the border into the United States,
worrying President Barack Obama.
The training courses show the level of organization of Mexico's cartels, well-armed groups which often control territory and take on federal police
and the army.
The point of training was "to have better motivational and emotional control over the members," the statement said. "The Family" has previously
portrayed itself as a local organization protecting Michoacan residents from outside drug smugglers, many of whom frequently indulge in drugs or
drink.
The group, a splinter group from "The Gulf" cartel, now fights its former allies for control of territory in Michoacan, often leaving gruesome
messages next to decapitated heads.
On a visit to Mexico last week Obama voiced strong support for President Felipe Calderon, who sent tens of thousands of troops and federal police to
fight the cartels in late 2006.
woody with a view - 4-20-2009 at 02:48 PM
The objective was for the subordinates to avoid drugs, hard drinking and maintain family unity," the federal police said in a statement.
that's sweet, coming from a pimp....
[Edited on 4-20-2009 by woody in ob]
Iflyfish - 4-20-2009 at 03:26 PM
A real gentleman eh?
Iflyfish
DianaT - 4-20-2009 at 03:57 PM
Does sound like they are getting more professional. We lived in a town and have a friend who grew up in another town both of which were quite
well-known for having mafia families living there.
They wanted their families to live the small town clean life while daddy went else where to "work".
Emily Post would be proud. 
Have any of you read the book written, I believe, back in the 60s called, We Only Kill Each Other ?
Diane
Hook - 4-20-2009 at 04:00 PM
Isn't this what the Taliban and Al Qaeda tells their underlings, too?..................While they're encouraging suicide bombers against innocents?
Bajahowodd - 4-20-2009 at 11:12 PM
The diff is that one is for money, the other for God. Wanna choosethe winner?