When cartel hitmen crossed into Laredo, Texas, for a brazen assassination, little did they know they were walking into a U.S. intelligence-gathering sting that would thwart their deadly mission.
At a Glance
- The Cartel Del Noreste plotted to assassinate a Texan named Tico.
- U.S. authorities foiled the plot with help from an inside informant.
- Numerous cartel members were arrested as a result.
- Laredo remains a frontline in the battle against cartel violence.
- Los Zetas, from which the CDN splintered, are known for extreme brutality.
Cartel’s Brazen Assassination Plot
The Cartel Del Noreste (CDN), emerging from the notoriously brutal Los Zetas, meticulously planned to murder a Texas man known as Tico. Allegedly, Tico’s crime was the theft of valuable drug shipments. This cross-border operation, ordered by cartel lieutenant Noe “El Tocayo” Gonzalez Martinez, was intended to enforce control and retaliate against perceived betrayal. Cartel operatives received orders from Mexico to execute Tico in Laredo.
See recent coverage of the conspiracy.
Thanks to an inside informant, U.S. authorities intervened before the cartel could carry out its deadly intent. Swift intelligence sharing and cooperative law enforcement efforts nipped the plot in the bud, leading to the arrest of several cartel associates. Such plots have underscored Laredo’s vulnerability to the hold of ruthless transnational criminal organizations like the CDN.
Los Zetas: A Legacy of Violence
Los Zetas, birthed by deserters from Mexico’s special forces, are infamous for their brutality and expanded into numerous Mexican states. These criminal masterminds don’t only smuggle drugs but also engage in heinous acts like homicide, torture, and kidnappings.
“Transnational Criminal Organizations like Los Zetas are fueled by greed, intimidation, and violence.” – DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chavez
Miguel Angel Treviño Morales, a former leader, was dramatically captured without a shot being fired in Nuevo Laredo. His crimes span organized crime and more. His brother Omar has faced similar charges, marking their enduring menace. Despite consequences, the CDN persists, demonstrating the tenacity of these networks and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation across the border.
U.S. Justice System Pushback
Authorities emphasize that while individuals like the Treviño brothers face justice, new leaders emerge, indicating an ongoing struggle. The U.S. Department of State designated CDN, another wing of this criminal network, as a foreign terrorist organization.
“The mill of justice grinds slowly, but it grinds finely.” – Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei
Federal agencies remain committed to their mission of dismantling violent criminal drug syndicates to protect American communities. Efficient intelligence operations, cooperation with Mexican authorities, and relentless pursuit form the core of the strategic response to threats posed by these ruthless organizations. However, action must continue to safeguard the border areas from gangland retribution and lawlessness.
