BajaNomad - DRUG LORD BELTRAN LEYVA KILLED

DRUG LORD BELTRAN LEYVA KILLED

Mexicorn - 12-17-2009 at 08:20 AM

Mexican forces kill drug lord Beltran Leyva
Reuters – Navy special forces stand guard during a navy operation in Cuernavaca, in the Mexican state of Morelos …

CUERNAVACA, Mexico (Reuters) – Mexican security forces tracked down and killed drug lord Arturo Beltran Leyva, one of the most wanted traffickers in Mexico and the United States, in a victory for President Felipe Calderon's drug war.

Beltran Leyva, a cartel chief dubbed "The Boss of Bosses," was shot dead on Wednesday evening by Navy forces in a gated luxury residential complex in the southern city of Cuernavaca, a weekend getaway for wealthy city dwellers.

The strike, five days after Beltran Leyva escaped another army operation targeting him, is a major coup for Calderon at the end of a year when drug gang violence has exploded to unprecedented levels and cartel arrests have been flagging.

"We started following up our intelligence on Friday. It seems that that day he got away, but the proof of what we had is what we have delivered to the Mexican people today," Rear Admiral Jose Luis Vergara told Mexican television.

Beltran Leyva, 58, who ran a cartel based in northwestern Mexico bearing his family name, was an ally turned foe of Mexico's No.1 most wanted man, Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman, who has been on the run since escaping from prison in 2001.

Sometimes dubbed "White Boots" for the color of his leather cowboy boots, he enjoyed protection from corrupt police in Mexico City and surrounding states and moved between luxurious mansions and apartments, including in the Pacific beach resort of Acapulco.

Navy forces arrived by helicopter and television images showed them surrounding the residence in the dark amid the sound of gunshots and grenades. Security forces laid spikes on the road to stop anyone escaping by car.

Six bodyguards died with Beltran Leyva, one of whom shot himself rather than be taken and interrogated. One of the six was his brother Mario, Mexican media said.

His cartel is one of half a dozen whose turf wars have slain more than 16,000 people since Calderon came to power in late 2006 and set the army on drug traffickers.

Despite a 49,000-troop presence across Mexico, drug gang killings have skyrocketed this year to an unprecedented 7,000 and atrocities including torture and decapitations are common.

GOVERNMENT GOAL

Navy forces, who analysts say have stronger intelligence and are less prone to corruption, have increasingly joined federal police and army troops in Calderon's drug war.

Beltran Leyva has several lieutenants likely to step up and fill his shoes, such as Sergio Villa Real, whose nicknames include "King Kong" and "Child Eater".

"This is a victory for Calderon in the short term, but his position will be filled very quickly," Alberto Islas, a Mexico City-based security analyst, said of Beltran Leyva.

He predicted more violence as rival drug gangs try to take back territory lost to the Beltran Leyvas in recent years in southern Mexico and Mexico City.

The Beltran Leyvas have been engaged in a gruesome fight over smuggling routes into the United States with Guzman.

Mexican anti-drug officials say Beltran Leyva laundered profits through a professional indoor Sinaloan soccer team, luxury hotels in Acapulco and real estate outside Mexico City.

Last year, police found a weapons arsenal in a house in an upscale district of Mexico City linked to Beltran Leyva. At another mansion near the capital, police stormed a party where a Colombian-led gang working for him kept two adult African lions, two tigers and two black panthers in cages.

Beltran Leyva had a $2.4 million tag on his head in Mexico, where he was wanted for organized crime and kidnapping.

In the United States, Attorney General Eric Holder had announced an indictment against Beltran Leyva and other top Mexican smugglers for moving billions of dollars of cocaine across the U.S. border. Washington also froze the U.S. assets of 22 individuals and 10 companies linked to the cartel.

Merry Christmas Nomads Now All I want for Christmas is that POS Teo Semintal-

[Edited on 12-17-2009 by Mexicorn]

osoflojo - 12-17-2009 at 11:05 PM

It is interesting that this post has not garnered more response as this is a significant development in the war on terror in Mexico.

JESSE - 12-18-2009 at 01:55 AM

True, Beltran Leyva was THE most powerful druglord in Mexico, his death sends a strong message, NOBODY is beyond the law.

DENNIS - 12-18-2009 at 02:03 AM

It was mentioned in this thread yesterday. Perhaps without enough interest but, it was brought up.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=43069&pag...

capt. mike - 12-18-2009 at 07:24 AM

made the phx area local news big time.

David K - 12-18-2009 at 07:44 AM

On San Diego news as well... The bigger issue was that he was in mainland Mexico and not the head of Baja's drug gangs... so it was reported.

Hook - 12-18-2009 at 08:23 AM

It was the #2 headline on the front page of Yahoo for some time.

DENNIS - 12-18-2009 at 08:30 AM

I think oso was refering to the lack of response here on Nomad rather than the media.

Mexicorn - 12-18-2009 at 12:59 PM

From the pictures I was able to review from (El Noticero) the images were quite graphic. Heres what I saw;
a.) He lived in an upper middle class/ upper class neighborhood. The Condo was not lavishly decorated and he carried an amulet of Santaria in his pocket and so much for the witch craft aspect.
b.) It probably was not uncommon for persons who live in the high rise condo that he lived in to have a few body guards around (he blended in).
c.) He did not live by Pablo Escobar in a mansion with an army of body guards like drug lords of the past.
d.) It is safe to assume he was afraid of extradition to the United States since the prisons in the united states are not as accomdating considering a life sentence means just that and not being to bibe your way out like "El Chapo." For that reason he decided to shoot it out" Plomo o Plata"
e.) El Teo and El Ingenero have been hiding in this similiar fashion and is more than likely living here on the coast or just across the border in Bonita or Chula Vista keeping a low profile.
f.) The war on these drug lords is slowly being won, more than likely using US intelligence and resources.

Most important if Americans didnt have such a large appetite for Cocaine and Marijuana they wouldnt be able to be as prosperous. So think about all the dead next time you snort a line of cocaine or take a toke of that joint of

Mexican or South american pot. You are supporting terrorism.

In closing the drug lords life is closing in on them.

JESSE - 12-18-2009 at 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexicorn
more than likely using US intelligence and resources.

Bajahowodd - 12-18-2009 at 03:07 PM

Jesse- Not sure what was behind the rolleyes. However, the story appearing in the LA Times states that DEA and FBI agents received information about a week ago on Beltran's whereabouts in Puebla and shared it with Mexican Naval officials. But Beltran and his buddies escaped just ahead of a navy raid on the site. Early next morning, Mexican forces raided a Christmas party in Tepotzlan, arresting dozens of people, including entertainer Ramon Ayala. It was then reported by several residents in Cuernavaca that there were a number of heavily armed men in the neighborhood. This is an actual quote, for whatever-
"The DEA official said US and Mexican agents received information that Beltran and his group had fled to Cuernavaca high-rise."

DENNIS - 12-18-2009 at 03:39 PM

Perhaps the Mexican media is going around that point. It may not be all that popular here.

Bajahowodd - 12-18-2009 at 03:40 PM

Could be. Either way, it is comforting to see that there's major cross-border cooperation.

JESSE - 12-18-2009 at 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Jesse- Not sure what was behind the rolleyes. However, the story appearing in the LA Times states that DEA and FBI agents received information about a week ago on Beltran's whereabouts in Puebla and shared it with Mexican Naval officials. But Beltran and his buddies escaped just ahead of a navy raid on the site. Early next morning, Mexican forces raided a Christmas party in Tepotzlan, arresting dozens of people, including entertainer Ramon Ayala. It was then reported by several residents in Cuernavaca that there were a number of heavily armed men in the neighborhood. This is an actual quote, for whatever-
"The DEA official said US and Mexican agents received information that Beltran and his group had fled to Cuernavaca high-rise."

Garbage! the Navy made it very clear this was a Mexican-Colombian intelligence operation. I am sure the DEA assisted, but now they are trying to make it as if they provided the intelligence.

Jesse, Well of Course

Gypsy Jan - 12-18-2009 at 04:28 PM

Do you know nothing about spotlight hogging? A practice perfected by the feds assisted by the fawning coverage of the U.S. media.

After all, they are going back to Congress to enlarge the budget appropriations.

Bajahowodd - 12-18-2009 at 04:54 PM

The bottom line is that whatever spotlight hogs may be out there, international cooperation is essential. And I'm glad to see it happening.

Woooosh - 12-18-2009 at 04:55 PM

Quote:

Garbage! the Navy made it very clear this was a Mexican-Colombian intelligence operation. I am sure the DEA assisted, but now they are trying to make it as if they provided the intelligence.

Now why would my US gov't take credit and be given thanks by Calderon in they did nothing to help catch him. Oh yeah- the Mexican space program followed him by satellite...

THe USA may have helped the Mexican gov't but this act did nothing to make it safer for gringos today. We weren't a target before- who knows now?

motoged - 12-18-2009 at 05:35 PM

Sometimes....just sometimes....folks around the planet know how and can do things for themselves without the USA always riding up on a white horse.... :light:

JESSE - 12-18-2009 at 06:15 PM

DENNIS - 12-18-2009 at 06:19 PM

See? The US was involved. Those are the Obama twins.

true dat!

woody with a view - 12-18-2009 at 06:36 PM

Quote:

Oh yeah- the Mexican space program followed him by satellite...

JESSE - 12-18-2009 at 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob

Quote:

Oh yeah- the Mexican space program followed him by satellite...

At least that portable toilet wont see imaginary weapons of mass destruction and fail to find Bin Laden after 9 years. :lol:

Follow up

Hook - 12-22-2009 at 04:40 PM

This is possibly the most reprehensible act that I can recall in the recent history of this war on the cartels.

Relatives killed in retribution