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Bravo! YESorNO!!
*GUILTY* EL Chapo - Drug Cartel Chief, arrested Trafficking/conspiracy/firearms
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Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 4h4 hours ago
We haven't heard much about CIA at the Chapo trial yet--and we're not likely to. In a new filing last night, prosecutors say that an upcoming witness (unnamed) once heard second-hand that a trafficker he knew (also unnamed) had bought planes from, and was working with, the CIA.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 4h4 hours ago
Prosecutors want to preclude that evidence from the trial. It's possible the witness in question is the Colombian, Alex Cifuentes, whose brother Jorge had an incredible turn on the stand last month.
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We haven't heard much about CIA at the Chapo trial yet--and we're not likely to. In a new filing last night, prosecutors say that an upcoming witness (unnamed) once heard second-hand that a trafficker he knew (also unnamed) had bought planes from, and was working with, the CIA.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 4h4 hours ago
Prosecutors want to preclude that evidence from the trial. It's possible the witness in question is the Colombian, Alex Cifuentes, whose brother Jorge had an incredible turn on the stand last month.
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Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 53m53 minutes ago
We’re on day 23 of #ElChapo’s trial and star witness Vicente Zambada Niebla is still on the stand.
The government is expected to wrap up with him this morning and then @balarezolaw will begin cross exam for the defense.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 47m47 minutes ago
Day 23 of El Chapo's trial just getting underway. Stay tuned for updates from the courtroom via @miguelfdzflores. Expecting another full day of testimony from Vicente Zambada.
VICE NewsVerified account @vicenews 46m46 minutes ago
Listen to every episode of Chapo: Kingpin on Trial over on @Spotify right now https://spoti.fi/2RDe4Tb
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We’re on day 23 of #ElChapo’s trial and star witness Vicente Zambada Niebla is still on the stand.
The government is expected to wrap up with him this morning and then @balarezolaw will begin cross exam for the defense.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 47m47 minutes ago
Day 23 of El Chapo's trial just getting underway. Stay tuned for updates from the courtroom via @miguelfdzflores. Expecting another full day of testimony from Vicente Zambada.
VICE NewsVerified account @vicenews 46m46 minutes ago
Listen to every episode of Chapo: Kingpin on Trial over on @Spotify right now https://spoti.fi/2RDe4Tb
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Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
Vicente’s father, Ismael (El Mayo) Zambada Garcia — El Chapo’s longtime partner in crime — is believed to be the current leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. He’s number 2 on the DEA’s most wanted list but has managed to evade capture his entire life. He turned 71 on New Year’s Day.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
While most of the turncoats we’ve heard from have positioned Guzman as top dog of the multi-billion dollar enterprise, Vicente speaks about Chapo and his father as though they were of equal status
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
On Thursday Vicente told us about how his father authorized monthly MINIMUM payments of $1 million to Mexican officials — among those on his payroll: a personal guard for former president of Mexico, Vicente Fox and a high-ranking defense chief identified as General Altimo
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Vicente’s father, Ismael (El Mayo) Zambada Garcia — El Chapo’s longtime partner in crime — is believed to be the current leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. He’s number 2 on the DEA’s most wanted list but has managed to evade capture his entire life. He turned 71 on New Year’s Day.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
While most of the turncoats we’ve heard from have positioned Guzman as top dog of the multi-billion dollar enterprise, Vicente speaks about Chapo and his father as though they were of equal status
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
On Thursday Vicente told us about how his father authorized monthly MINIMUM payments of $1 million to Mexican officials — among those on his payroll: a personal guard for former president of Mexico, Vicente Fox and a high-ranking defense chief identified as General Altimo
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Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 13m13 minutes ago
Mid-morning break at the Chapo trial. Per @miguelfdzflores, today's testimony from Vicentillo has focused on the Sinaloa cartel's weaponry and murders. Some colorful anecdotes, including one involving a bazooka.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 9m9 minutes ago
Vicente Zambada testified that 99 percent of the Sinaloa cartel's weapons come from the United States. He said they bring "millions" of bullets a month across the border. Semi-automatic AK-47s purchased in the US would be turned into machine guns by a guy named Pepe el Armero.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 5m5 minutes ago
Vicente told a story about El Azul wanting to test a bazooka the cartel had acquired. They were at an airstrip in the mountains with Chapo and Mayo. Chapo's bodyguard shot the bazooka too close to everyone and they ran away. Judge stopped the anecdote before Vicente could finish.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 1m1 minute ago
Vicente said assassinations were personally approved by Chapo and Mayo. They would discuss objectives and risks before giving the green light. Prosecutor asked about three specific incidents, including an attempted hit on former Mexican drug czar José Luis Santiago Vasconcelos.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 8m8 minutes ago
Vicente said Vasconcelos ran afoul of the cartel because he arrested El Chapo's son Iván Archivaldo. Vicente said the move was "without base" because Iván wasn't yet involved in the family business. After three meetings, Chapo and Mayo gave the order for Vasconcelos to be killed.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 6m6 minutes ago
Vicente said they sent a hit squad led by an ex-military commando from Chapo's people. They were armed with three Guatemalan-made bazookas, but the guys were caught before the hit and the bazookas were confiscated. Vasconcelos later died in a plane crash in 2008.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 2m2 minutes ago
Vicente said after the cartel spent $750K on special equipment to intercept phone calls, which they bought from a Mexican army source, they overheard a cartel member named Julio Beltrán complaining about El Chapo and Mayo…
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 1m1 minute ago
…Vicente said Beltrán was grumbling about "esos pinches viejos" — these old guys — and saying it was time for a new generation to take over. Mayo was livid by the comment and he ordered the killing.
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Mid-morning break at the Chapo trial. Per @miguelfdzflores, today's testimony from Vicentillo has focused on the Sinaloa cartel's weaponry and murders. Some colorful anecdotes, including one involving a bazooka.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 9m9 minutes ago
Vicente Zambada testified that 99 percent of the Sinaloa cartel's weapons come from the United States. He said they bring "millions" of bullets a month across the border. Semi-automatic AK-47s purchased in the US would be turned into machine guns by a guy named Pepe el Armero.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 5m5 minutes ago
Vicente told a story about El Azul wanting to test a bazooka the cartel had acquired. They were at an airstrip in the mountains with Chapo and Mayo. Chapo's bodyguard shot the bazooka too close to everyone and they ran away. Judge stopped the anecdote before Vicente could finish.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 1m1 minute ago
Vicente said assassinations were personally approved by Chapo and Mayo. They would discuss objectives and risks before giving the green light. Prosecutor asked about three specific incidents, including an attempted hit on former Mexican drug czar José Luis Santiago Vasconcelos.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 8m8 minutes ago
Vicente said Vasconcelos ran afoul of the cartel because he arrested El Chapo's son Iván Archivaldo. Vicente said the move was "without base" because Iván wasn't yet involved in the family business. After three meetings, Chapo and Mayo gave the order for Vasconcelos to be killed.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 6m6 minutes ago
Vicente said they sent a hit squad led by an ex-military commando from Chapo's people. They were armed with three Guatemalan-made bazookas, but the guys were caught before the hit and the bazookas were confiscated. Vasconcelos later died in a plane crash in 2008.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 2m2 minutes ago
Vicente said after the cartel spent $750K on special equipment to intercept phone calls, which they bought from a Mexican army source, they overheard a cartel member named Julio Beltrán complaining about El Chapo and Mayo…
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 1m1 minute ago
…Vicente said Beltrán was grumbling about "esos pinches viejos" — these old guys — and saying it was time for a new generation to take over. Mayo was livid by the comment and he ordered the killing.
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Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 2m2 minutes ago
Another victim of El Mayo's wrath was Teco Lindoro. Vicente said his dad had mentored Teco since he was young, but when Mayo learned that Teco was working with the Tijuana cartel, he summoned him to a meeting, handcuffed him, and handed him over to a hitman to be killed.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 1m1 minute ago
Vicente said that while Teco was handcuffed, they called El Azul's son and put him on speaker phone so he could hear the interrogation, apparently as a reminder of what happens to those who are disloyal to the cartel.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 2m2 minutes ago
Vicente identified El Mayo's chief enforcer as Gonzalo Inzunza Inzunza aka El Macho Prieto. He was reportedly killed during a massive shootout with the DEA near the Arizona border in 2013, but his body was not recovered and some believe he faked his death
SHOOTOUT
Gunbattle leaves at least 5 dead in Rocky Point
Dec 19, 2013
"The sound of gunfire ripped through the Sonora beach town of Rocky Point Wednesday morning during a deadly shootout between the federal police and alleged drug traffickers.
At least five people were killed during the hours-long firefight near the Bella Sirena complex that witnesses say included gunfire from military helicopters at one of the resort areas popular with Tucsonans.
The shootout was part of a federal police operation, but in a news conference Sonora State Attorney General Carlos Navarro Sugich couldn’t say whom it involved....
Mexican newspapers, including El Debate, reported that one of the men killed was Gonzalo Inzunza Inzunza. Also known as “El Macho Prieto,” Inzunza is a top boss in the Sinaloa drug cartel....
If Inzunza was killed during the operation, Coulson doesn’t expect to see a fight for power because everything is well controlled by nation’s most-wanted drug lord, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, he said...."
Gunbattle leaves at least 5 dead in Rocky Point
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Another victim of El Mayo's wrath was Teco Lindoro. Vicente said his dad had mentored Teco since he was young, but when Mayo learned that Teco was working with the Tijuana cartel, he summoned him to a meeting, handcuffed him, and handed him over to a hitman to be killed.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 1m1 minute ago
Vicente said that while Teco was handcuffed, they called El Azul's son and put him on speaker phone so he could hear the interrogation, apparently as a reminder of what happens to those who are disloyal to the cartel.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 2m2 minutes ago
Vicente identified El Mayo's chief enforcer as Gonzalo Inzunza Inzunza aka El Macho Prieto. He was reportedly killed during a massive shootout with the DEA near the Arizona border in 2013, but his body was not recovered and some believe he faked his death
SHOOTOUT
Gunbattle leaves at least 5 dead in Rocky Point
Dec 19, 2013
"The sound of gunfire ripped through the Sonora beach town of Rocky Point Wednesday morning during a deadly shootout between the federal police and alleged drug traffickers.
At least five people were killed during the hours-long firefight near the Bella Sirena complex that witnesses say included gunfire from military helicopters at one of the resort areas popular with Tucsonans.
The shootout was part of a federal police operation, but in a news conference Sonora State Attorney General Carlos Navarro Sugich couldn’t say whom it involved....
Mexican newspapers, including El Debate, reported that one of the men killed was Gonzalo Inzunza Inzunza. Also known as “El Macho Prieto,” Inzunza is a top boss in the Sinaloa drug cartel....
If Inzunza was killed during the operation, Coulson doesn’t expect to see a fight for power because everything is well controlled by nation’s most-wanted drug lord, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, he said...."
Gunbattle leaves at least 5 dead in Rocky Point
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Seattle1
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At the El Chapo Trial, a Son Betrays His Father, and the Cartel
© Eduardo Verdugo/Associated Press Vicente Zambada Niebla, a former top lieutenant in the Sinaloa cartel, testified on Thursday in the drug trial of Joaquín Guzmán Loera, the infamous crime lord known as El Chapo.
Aside from the chiefs who ran the organization, no one likely knows more about the Sinaloa drug cartel than Vicente Zambada Niebla.
A son of Ismael Zambada García, one of the cartel’s leaders, Mr. Zambada, from an early age, was groomed to take control of the group.
But on Thursday, in a spectacular reversal, the cartel prince betrayed his father — and his birthright — testifying for more than five hours about nearly every aspect of the drug-trafficking empire: smuggling routes, money-laundering schemes, bloody wars, personal vendettas and multimillion dollars in bribes. When it came to the enterprise he seemed poised to lead one day, Mr. Zambada proved he knew almost everyone and everything.
[...]
Dressed in dark blue prison clothes, Mr. Zambada walked into Room 8D of Federal District Court in Brooklyn shortly before 10 a.m. on Thursday and immediately flashed Mr. Guzmán a confident smirk. He then bombarded jurors with countless stories of Mr. Guzmán and his father shipping tons of drugs in cars, trains, planes and submarines — even in a truck beneath a load of frozen meat.
[...]
In 2009, however, Mr. Zambada was arrested during an Army operation in Mexico City and extradited to Chicago. At first, he was expected to be prosecuted there on charges of smuggling tons of drugs while serving as his father’s right-hand man. But before his trial began, his lawyers dropped a bombshell: They claimed that for years he had been working secretly as a spy for the D.E.A., swapping information about his rivals in exchange for the ability to run his business freely. BBM
ETA: Sure sounds reminiscent of Whitey Bulger and FBI
© Eduardo Verdugo/Associated Press Vicente Zambada Niebla, a former top lieutenant in the Sinaloa cartel, testified on Thursday in the drug trial of Joaquín Guzmán Loera, the infamous crime lord known as El Chapo.
Aside from the chiefs who ran the organization, no one likely knows more about the Sinaloa drug cartel than Vicente Zambada Niebla.
A son of Ismael Zambada García, one of the cartel’s leaders, Mr. Zambada, from an early age, was groomed to take control of the group.
But on Thursday, in a spectacular reversal, the cartel prince betrayed his father — and his birthright — testifying for more than five hours about nearly every aspect of the drug-trafficking empire: smuggling routes, money-laundering schemes, bloody wars, personal vendettas and multimillion dollars in bribes. When it came to the enterprise he seemed poised to lead one day, Mr. Zambada proved he knew almost everyone and everything.
[...]
Dressed in dark blue prison clothes, Mr. Zambada walked into Room 8D of Federal District Court in Brooklyn shortly before 10 a.m. on Thursday and immediately flashed Mr. Guzmán a confident smirk. He then bombarded jurors with countless stories of Mr. Guzmán and his father shipping tons of drugs in cars, trains, planes and submarines — even in a truck beneath a load of frozen meat.
[...]
In 2009, however, Mr. Zambada was arrested during an Army operation in Mexico City and extradited to Chicago. At first, he was expected to be prosecuted there on charges of smuggling tons of drugs while serving as his father’s right-hand man. But before his trial began, his lawyers dropped a bombshell: They claimed that for years he had been working secretly as a spy for the D.E.A., swapping information about his rivals in exchange for the ability to run his business freely. BBM
ETA: Sure sounds reminiscent of Whitey Bulger and FBI
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Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Macho Prieto was a name that came up several times during our podcast reporting in Culiacán. The sicario pictured here said he used to work for him, and the heroin trafficker we interview in episode 1 got his start as a gunman under him. Listen:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2uF2kNAsej8EbiluiTClPJ …
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Check out this piece from @vicenews on @HBO about NAFTA's impact on the drug trade. Produced by @joeptone and me, with narration by @Shawna
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Episode 4 of our podcast is about Chapo's war for Juarez, and it goes even deeper on the links between NAFTA and the Mexican drug trade. Listen:
EP 4: The Border
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Direct examination of Vicente Zamabda is over. Cross by El Chapo's lawyer @balarezolaw set to begin this afternoon, will likely stretch into Monday. More updates from this morning's testimony coming shortly from @miguelfdzflores, who is in the courtroom today for @vicenews.
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Macho Prieto was a name that came up several times during our podcast reporting in Culiacán. The sicario pictured here said he used to work for him, and the heroin trafficker we interview in episode 1 got his start as a gunman under him. Listen:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2uF2kNAsej8EbiluiTClPJ …
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Check out this piece from @vicenews on @HBO about NAFTA's impact on the drug trade. Produced by @joeptone and me, with narration by @Shawna
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Episode 4 of our podcast is about Chapo's war for Juarez, and it goes even deeper on the links between NAFTA and the Mexican drug trade. Listen:
EP 4: The Border
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Direct examination of Vicente Zamabda is over. Cross by El Chapo's lawyer @balarezolaw set to begin this afternoon, will likely stretch into Monday. More updates from this morning's testimony coming shortly from @miguelfdzflores, who is in the courtroom today for @vicenews.
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Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
Imagine a Mafia scion like John Gotti Jr. walking into the Secret Service office in DC to complain about how the govt was investigating him and his family. At today's session of the Chapo trial, that's basically what Vicente Zambada Niebla said he did in Mexico in 1997.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
Vicente, the son of Mayo Zambada, one of the top leaders of the Sinaloa drug cartel, said he met w/a man named General Miranda, the chief presidential guard for Ernesto Zedillo, to complain about how Mexican investigators were raiding his mother's businesses in Culiacan.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
This was just part of his 2nd day on the stand as a star govt witness. He also said his father paid off the state police in Sinaloa, including the man who ran it, Chui Tonio (sp?), the local Sinaloa cops, the federal police and officials in the PGR or natl atty general's office.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
Vicente also talked about several murders he ordered but claimed he never killed anyone personally.) Many took place during Mayo & Chapo's war w/their former allies, the Beltran-Leyva bros. To find their enemies Vicente said he paid a military general $750k for wiretap equipment.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
He also said he imported hundreds of assault rifles and millions of rounds of ammo--from the United States.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
The war even touched Vicente's family. He said one of his corrupt Army contacts told him in 2008 or so that the Beltran-Leyvas & their allies were planning to abduct his wife, kill her and send him her head. So he & his family fled their home in Culiacan for Mazatlan.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
The fighting was mostly conducted by professional killers called sicarios. The sicarios who worked for Chapo, Mayo and Vicente had very good sicario names: There was, for instance, M1 and Chino Anthrax. Then there was El Negro and Fantasma.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
Vicente is now facing cross examination so we'll see what the afternoon session brings...
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Imagine a Mafia scion like John Gotti Jr. walking into the Secret Service office in DC to complain about how the govt was investigating him and his family. At today's session of the Chapo trial, that's basically what Vicente Zambada Niebla said he did in Mexico in 1997.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
Vicente, the son of Mayo Zambada, one of the top leaders of the Sinaloa drug cartel, said he met w/a man named General Miranda, the chief presidential guard for Ernesto Zedillo, to complain about how Mexican investigators were raiding his mother's businesses in Culiacan.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
This was just part of his 2nd day on the stand as a star govt witness. He also said his father paid off the state police in Sinaloa, including the man who ran it, Chui Tonio (sp?), the local Sinaloa cops, the federal police and officials in the PGR or natl atty general's office.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
Vicente also talked about several murders he ordered but claimed he never killed anyone personally.) Many took place during Mayo & Chapo's war w/their former allies, the Beltran-Leyva bros. To find their enemies Vicente said he paid a military general $750k for wiretap equipment.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
He also said he imported hundreds of assault rifles and millions of rounds of ammo--from the United States.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
The war even touched Vicente's family. He said one of his corrupt Army contacts told him in 2008 or so that the Beltran-Leyvas & their allies were planning to abduct his wife, kill her and send him her head. So he & his family fled their home in Culiacan for Mazatlan.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
The fighting was mostly conducted by professional killers called sicarios. The sicarios who worked for Chapo, Mayo and Vicente had very good sicario names: There was, for instance, M1 and Chino Anthrax. Then there was El Negro and Fantasma.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 3h3 hours ago
Vicente is now facing cross examination so we'll see what the afternoon session brings...
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Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
Vicente is now on cross with Balarezo, whose cross exam of the CW has been far more effective than his predecessors — and pretty hilarious. He’s referring to El Mayo as “Papa Mayo” and the witness as the kingpin’s “baby boy.”
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
“You knew about the drugs, about the money, about where the bones were buried?” the defense attorney asked.
“I didn’t say anything about buried bones.”
“Okay, forget about the buried bones.”
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
An incredulous Balarezo questioned why Vicente’s cooperation with the government — spanning almost a decade, at this point — hasn’t yielded any results in the hunt for his father.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
“All these meetings, all this information, all these coordinates — and they’re still looking for him?” Balarezo asked. “
… if he hasn’t been arrested, it’s not my fault,” Vicente replied.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
“Are you sure you didn’t keep any of those coordinates to yourself?” “
… I don’t have any way to communicate with my father.”
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
Vicente had admitted moments before he’s had sporadic contact with his father through his attorneys.
“So, your lawyers can find Papa Mayo — but the government can’t?”
“I’m not to blame for that,” he said. “My father can find the lawyers, but the lawyers can’t find him.”
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Vicente is now on cross with Balarezo, whose cross exam of the CW has been far more effective than his predecessors — and pretty hilarious. He’s referring to El Mayo as “Papa Mayo” and the witness as the kingpin’s “baby boy.”
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
“You knew about the drugs, about the money, about where the bones were buried?” the defense attorney asked.
“I didn’t say anything about buried bones.”
“Okay, forget about the buried bones.”
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
An incredulous Balarezo questioned why Vicente’s cooperation with the government — spanning almost a decade, at this point — hasn’t yielded any results in the hunt for his father.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
“All these meetings, all this information, all these coordinates — and they’re still looking for him?” Balarezo asked. “
… if he hasn’t been arrested, it’s not my fault,” Vicente replied.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
“Are you sure you didn’t keep any of those coordinates to yourself?” “
… I don’t have any way to communicate with my father.”
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
Vicente had admitted moments before he’s had sporadic contact with his father through his attorneys.
“So, your lawyers can find Papa Mayo — but the government can’t?”
“I’m not to blame for that,” he said. “My father can find the lawyers, but the lawyers can’t find him.”
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Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Correction: Vicente Zambada is already under cross. Questions from Chapo's lawyers thus far have focused on Mayo's leadership role within the cartel. The defense has tried to make the case that Mayo is the guy who is really in charge, not Chapo. Vicentillo says they're partners.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
One bombshell: In 1997, Vicente Zambada visited Los Pinos (Mexico's White House) to meet w/ General Roberto Miranda, a high-ranking officer under then-President Zedillo. Not clear if Miranda was on Mayo's payroll. A very clear mention that President Zedillo was not.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Vicentillo said he was at Los Pinos to ask the general a favor, to stop raiding businesses that belonged to his mom and sisters. Asked by the defense why he, a mayor kingpin, was in the presidential house, Vicentillo said he wasn't a big kingpin back then.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Vicentillo said he's provided the US w/ extensive info about his dad, including locations of ranches, airstrips, hideouts, etc. The defense wondered why Mayo remains free. "Si no lo han detenido, no es culpa mía," he said. "If he hasn't been caught, it's not my fault."
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Ever since opening statements, the defense has told the jury that Mayo is the true boss of the Sinaloa cartel and that Chapo is essentially a fall guy. Seems like Vicentillo not giving them much to bolster that narrative. He's making it clear Mayo and Chapo were co-leaders.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
On cross exam, the CW admitted to paying a visit in '97 to the chief presidential guard for President Ernesto Zedillo, General Roberto Miranda Moreno, to complain about raids on his mother’s businesses.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
“Papa Mayo’s baby boy went to have a meeting at the president’s house,” Balarezo said. “With a high-ranking official in Mexico?”
Vicente corrected him — the meeting was held next door.
“You went next-door to the presidential palace.”
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
The witness admitted that his father was in the pockets of Mexican federal police, the attorney general, and the federal judicial police.
“All of these bribes that your father has made to Mexican officials, in part, is the key to not getting arrested, right?”
“Yes."
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Correction: Vicente Zambada is already under cross. Questions from Chapo's lawyers thus far have focused on Mayo's leadership role within the cartel. The defense has tried to make the case that Mayo is the guy who is really in charge, not Chapo. Vicentillo says they're partners.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
One bombshell: In 1997, Vicente Zambada visited Los Pinos (Mexico's White House) to meet w/ General Roberto Miranda, a high-ranking officer under then-President Zedillo. Not clear if Miranda was on Mayo's payroll. A very clear mention that President Zedillo was not.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Vicentillo said he was at Los Pinos to ask the general a favor, to stop raiding businesses that belonged to his mom and sisters. Asked by the defense why he, a mayor kingpin, was in the presidential house, Vicentillo said he wasn't a big kingpin back then.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Vicentillo said he's provided the US w/ extensive info about his dad, including locations of ranches, airstrips, hideouts, etc. The defense wondered why Mayo remains free. "Si no lo han detenido, no es culpa mía," he said. "If he hasn't been caught, it's not my fault."
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 3h3 hours ago
Ever since opening statements, the defense has told the jury that Mayo is the true boss of the Sinaloa cartel and that Chapo is essentially a fall guy. Seems like Vicentillo not giving them much to bolster that narrative. He's making it clear Mayo and Chapo were co-leaders.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
On cross exam, the CW admitted to paying a visit in '97 to the chief presidential guard for President Ernesto Zedillo, General Roberto Miranda Moreno, to complain about raids on his mother’s businesses.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
“Papa Mayo’s baby boy went to have a meeting at the president’s house,” Balarezo said. “With a high-ranking official in Mexico?”
Vicente corrected him — the meeting was held next door.
“You went next-door to the presidential palace.”
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 3h3 hours ago
The witness admitted that his father was in the pockets of Mexican federal police, the attorney general, and the federal judicial police.
“All of these bribes that your father has made to Mexican officials, in part, is the key to not getting arrested, right?”
“Yes."
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Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
Asked about how the cartel obtained weapons during the bloody war with the Beltran Leyvas, Vicente said “99% of them were obtained in the United States at the borders.”
They purchased AK47s, AR15s and “mata policias — police killers.”
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
During the war, which was fought by Sinaloa sicarios, the cartel were buying more than 100 weapons a month and “millions in ammunition.”
He said he never saw Chapo without a gun, whether it was an automatic assault rifle or his infamous “luxury” pistol “made out of diamonds."
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 6m6 minutes ago
Here are some fun pictures that were admitted into evidence today. El Chapo is dancing with his gold-plated, diamond-encrusted .38 Super pistol tucked into his waistband.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 21m21 minutes ago
Boy, did he love that pistol.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 6m6 minutes ago
A close-up of the pistol. The letters JGL are Chapo's initials, Joaquín Guzmán Loera.
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Asked about how the cartel obtained weapons during the bloody war with the Beltran Leyvas, Vicente said “99% of them were obtained in the United States at the borders.”
They purchased AK47s, AR15s and “mata policias — police killers.”
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
During the war, which was fought by Sinaloa sicarios, the cartel were buying more than 100 weapons a month and “millions in ammunition.”
He said he never saw Chapo without a gun, whether it was an automatic assault rifle or his infamous “luxury” pistol “made out of diamonds."
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 6m6 minutes ago
Here are some fun pictures that were admitted into evidence today. El Chapo is dancing with his gold-plated, diamond-encrusted .38 Super pistol tucked into his waistband.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 21m21 minutes ago
Boy, did he love that pistol.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 6m6 minutes ago
A close-up of the pistol. The letters JGL are Chapo's initials, Joaquín Guzmán Loera.
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Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 5m5 minutes ago
Fascinating testimony by El Vicentillo this afternoon: At age 32, he said, he wanted to retire from the Sinaloa drug cartel. His means of escape was remarkable: Chapo, he claimed, offered to reach out to "his contacts" in the DEA to see if they would meet with the young man.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 4m4 minutes ago
While it's not clear if Chapo ever made good on the offer, Vicente did in fact sit down with DEA agents within two years. That encounter led by twists & turns to his arrest, extradition and ultimately the cooperation agreement that brought him to Chapo's trial as a govt witness.
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Fascinating testimony by El Vicentillo this afternoon: At age 32, he said, he wanted to retire from the Sinaloa drug cartel. His means of escape was remarkable: Chapo, he claimed, offered to reach out to "his contacts" in the DEA to see if they would meet with the young man.
Alan Feuer @alanfeuer 4m4 minutes ago
While it's not clear if Chapo ever made good on the offer, Vicente did in fact sit down with DEA agents within two years. That encounter led by twists & turns to his arrest, extradition and ultimately the cooperation agreement that brought him to Chapo's trial as a govt witness.
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Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 21m21 minutes ago
Per @miguelfdzflores, Chapo's lawyer asked Vicentillo today about his decision to cooperate with the DEA. Vicentillo said Mayo and Chapo agreed he should retire. Chapo had a contact with the DEA and reached out to broker a deal.…
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 20m20 minutes ago
…Vicentillo said the idea was to give the DEA info on the Sinaloa cartel's enemies, such as the Beltrán-Leyvas, which they did. Vicentillo said he spoke "hundreds of times" with DEA agents.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 16m16 minutes ago
Not mentioned today, but the Sinaloa cartel's outreach to the DEA was done through Humberto Loya Castro, a lawyer and adviser to Chapo. Here's a court document from Vicentillos's case that describes the arrangement. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5675629-Vicente-Zambada-accuses-the-DEA-of-entrapment.html …
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 15m15 minutes ago
Vicentillo had a meeting with the DEA in 2009 at a hotel in Mexico City. He was told he would meet with the DEA's regional chief and was assured that Mexican authorities would not know about it. Meeting ended at 2am. He was arrested by the Mexican Federal Police two hours later.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 12m12 minutes ago
Vicentillo has since cooperated with the DEA. His deal includes forfeiture of $1.3 billion. He hasn't paid a cent yet. He also arranged for his wife and kids to be flown in the US and taken off the OFAC list. Wife was allowed to bring $400,000 to support herself and their kids.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 6m6 minutes ago
Vicentillo struck a plea deal with the government but hasn't been sentenced yet. He faces a max of life and a minimum of 10 years. With time served since his extradition in 2010, he could potentially be out within the next year or two.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 1m1 minute ago
Vicentillo said today that he's aware his testimony in Chapo's trial will be a key factor in determining his sentence. The defense is trying to get jurors to think Vicentillo is just saying whatever the government wants, but it sounds like he was awfully convincing.
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Per @miguelfdzflores, Chapo's lawyer asked Vicentillo today about his decision to cooperate with the DEA. Vicentillo said Mayo and Chapo agreed he should retire. Chapo had a contact with the DEA and reached out to broker a deal.…
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 20m20 minutes ago
…Vicentillo said the idea was to give the DEA info on the Sinaloa cartel's enemies, such as the Beltrán-Leyvas, which they did. Vicentillo said he spoke "hundreds of times" with DEA agents.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 16m16 minutes ago
Not mentioned today, but the Sinaloa cartel's outreach to the DEA was done through Humberto Loya Castro, a lawyer and adviser to Chapo. Here's a court document from Vicentillos's case that describes the arrangement. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5675629-Vicente-Zambada-accuses-the-DEA-of-entrapment.html …
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 15m15 minutes ago
Vicentillo had a meeting with the DEA in 2009 at a hotel in Mexico City. He was told he would meet with the DEA's regional chief and was assured that Mexican authorities would not know about it. Meeting ended at 2am. He was arrested by the Mexican Federal Police two hours later.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 12m12 minutes ago
Vicentillo has since cooperated with the DEA. His deal includes forfeiture of $1.3 billion. He hasn't paid a cent yet. He also arranged for his wife and kids to be flown in the US and taken off the OFAC list. Wife was allowed to bring $400,000 to support herself and their kids.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 6m6 minutes ago
Vicentillo struck a plea deal with the government but hasn't been sentenced yet. He faces a max of life and a minimum of 10 years. With time served since his extradition in 2010, he could potentially be out within the next year or two.
Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 1m1 minute ago
Vicentillo said today that he's aware his testimony in Chapo's trial will be a key factor in determining his sentence. The defense is trying to get jurors to think Vicentillo is just saying whatever the government wants, but it sounds like he was awfully convincing.
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Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
VZN said not long before his arrest, he told his dad & Chapo he wanted out of the cartel. "I wanted to retire from everything with my dad and my compadre Chapo’s permission.” A few heads perked up when VZN said Chapo told him he had “contacts at the DEA” who could help him.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
He testified that Mayo and Chapo proposed he cooperate with the DEA by providing information on their enemies—killing 2 birds with 1 stone. They knew US authorities would pass on info he shared with them to the Mexican government, which would also help to further their agenda.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
Vicente ended up indirectly providing DEA agents with Arturo Beltran Leyva’s phone number, which they could use to track him. The rival cartel member was killed not long after in a shootout with Mexican Navy special forces.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 1h1 hour ago
A decade since his arrest, VZN is still awaiting sentencing. Like all of the CWs, he’s hoping the government will file a 5k1 letter, all but securing him a reduced sentence.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 1h1 hour ago
When the day finally comes, he'll be required to start making payments on the $1.3 billion he’s agreed to forfeit to the government.
“Bottom line is you’re never gonna pay anything remotely resembling that number,” Balarezo said to him today.
“An amount like that? No.”
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VZN said not long before his arrest, he told his dad & Chapo he wanted out of the cartel. "I wanted to retire from everything with my dad and my compadre Chapo’s permission.” A few heads perked up when VZN said Chapo told him he had “contacts at the DEA” who could help him.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
He testified that Mayo and Chapo proposed he cooperate with the DEA by providing information on their enemies—killing 2 birds with 1 stone. They knew US authorities would pass on info he shared with them to the Mexican government, which would also help to further their agenda.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 2h2 hours ago
Vicente ended up indirectly providing DEA agents with Arturo Beltran Leyva’s phone number, which they could use to track him. The rival cartel member was killed not long after in a shootout with Mexican Navy special forces.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 1h1 hour ago
A decade since his arrest, VZN is still awaiting sentencing. Like all of the CWs, he’s hoping the government will file a 5k1 letter, all but securing him a reduced sentence.
Molly Crane-NewmanVerified account @molcranenewman 1h1 hour ago
When the day finally comes, he'll be required to start making payments on the $1.3 billion he’s agreed to forfeit to the government.
“Bottom line is you’re never gonna pay anything remotely resembling that number,” Balarezo said to him today.
“An amount like that? No.”
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Keegan HamiltonVerified account @keegan_hamilton 48m48 minutes ago
Meanwhile, in another courtroom today in Eastern District of New York, a former Mexican state attorney general from Nayarit pleaded guilty to working with a drug cartel in exchange for bribes.
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Meanwhile, in another courtroom today in Eastern District of New York, a former Mexican state attorney general from Nayarit pleaded guilty to working with a drug cartel in exchange for bribes.
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Ex-Mexican Prosecutor Pleads Guilty With El Chapo Nearby
Jan. 4, 2019
"NEW YORK (AP) — A former state attorney general from Mexico pleaded guilty on Friday to U.S. drug-trafficking charges at a courthouse where an infamous kingpin was also appearing at a conspiracy trial.
Both Edgar Veytia, once chief law enforcement officer in the Pacific coast state of Nayarit, and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman are being prosecuted in separate cases in federal court in Brooklyn.
Shortly after Guzman's ongoing trial wrapped up for the week, Veytia was brought into another courtroom to plead guilty to charges he was bought off to help cartels smuggle cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine to the U.S. from 2013 until the time of his arrest in 2017.
The 48-year-old Veytia admitted that he arranged for drug dealers to avoid arrest and or to be released from custody. He didn't specify which organizations he supported, but it's not believed that Guzman's Sinaloa cartel was one of them.
"I used my official position . to assist drug-trafficking organizations," he told the judge.
Veytia faces at least 10 years in prison at sentencing later this year, though the term could be more than double that if the judge follows sentencing guidelines as calculated by prosecutors. According to an indictment, the goverment could also seize "a sum of approximately $250 million in United States currency" under forfeiture laws...."
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st...prosecutor-pleads-guilty-with-el-chapo-nearby
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Jan. 4, 2019
"NEW YORK (AP) — A former state attorney general from Mexico pleaded guilty on Friday to U.S. drug-trafficking charges at a courthouse where an infamous kingpin was also appearing at a conspiracy trial.
Both Edgar Veytia, once chief law enforcement officer in the Pacific coast state of Nayarit, and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman are being prosecuted in separate cases in federal court in Brooklyn.
Shortly after Guzman's ongoing trial wrapped up for the week, Veytia was brought into another courtroom to plead guilty to charges he was bought off to help cartels smuggle cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine to the U.S. from 2013 until the time of his arrest in 2017.
The 48-year-old Veytia admitted that he arranged for drug dealers to avoid arrest and or to be released from custody. He didn't specify which organizations he supported, but it's not believed that Guzman's Sinaloa cartel was one of them.
"I used my official position . to assist drug-trafficking organizations," he told the judge.
Veytia faces at least 10 years in prison at sentencing later this year, though the term could be more than double that if the judge follows sentencing guidelines as calculated by prosecutors. According to an indictment, the goverment could also seize "a sum of approximately $250 million in United States currency" under forfeiture laws...."
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st...prosecutor-pleads-guilty-with-el-chapo-nearby
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Former "El Chapo" protégé describes cartel violence, corruption during testimony (with clip)
JANUARY 4, 2019
"...Criminal defense attorney Vinoo Varghese said of Zambada Friday, "He was involved since he was 15. He is the son of the head of the Sinaloa cartel. He does have access to information. The question is, is he telling the truth for everything."
"He said something really important and I think this potentially is going to play to the defense strategy," Varghese said on CBSN. "He said, 'My father is the head of the Sinaloa cartel.' So he provided a ton of information about El Chapo but he confirmed his dad runs the Sinaloa cartel."
Zambada, a top Chapo protégé before his 2009 arrest in Mexico City, is the latest in a parade of cooperators to testify as government witnesses in the conspiracy case against Guzman in federal court in Brooklyn. He reportedly testified with the hope of a reduced sentence and a U.S. visa.
Varghese called Zambada's hope for a U.S. visa "very unusual" and could damage the prosecution's case.
"Prosecutors have no power to compel the immigration authorities to give a visa, so the fact that he believes he's going to get a visa -- or potentially get a visa -- is really, I think, fuel, ammunition for the defense to say he is making up most of his stuff," Varghese....
The trial, which began in mid-November, is expected to continue into next month....."
Former "El Chapo" protege describes cartel violence, corruption during trial testimony - CBS News
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JANUARY 4, 2019
"...Criminal defense attorney Vinoo Varghese said of Zambada Friday, "He was involved since he was 15. He is the son of the head of the Sinaloa cartel. He does have access to information. The question is, is he telling the truth for everything."
"He said something really important and I think this potentially is going to play to the defense strategy," Varghese said on CBSN. "He said, 'My father is the head of the Sinaloa cartel.' So he provided a ton of information about El Chapo but he confirmed his dad runs the Sinaloa cartel."
Zambada, a top Chapo protégé before his 2009 arrest in Mexico City, is the latest in a parade of cooperators to testify as government witnesses in the conspiracy case against Guzman in federal court in Brooklyn. He reportedly testified with the hope of a reduced sentence and a U.S. visa.
Varghese called Zambada's hope for a U.S. visa "very unusual" and could damage the prosecution's case.
"Prosecutors have no power to compel the immigration authorities to give a visa, so the fact that he believes he's going to get a visa -- or potentially get a visa -- is really, I think, fuel, ammunition for the defense to say he is making up most of his stuff," Varghese....
The trial, which began in mid-November, is expected to continue into next month....."
Former "El Chapo" protege describes cartel violence, corruption during trial testimony - CBS News
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