22 February 2011
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Table of Contents
MEXICO
ORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKING
77 Individuals Murdered on 18 February 2011 in Mexico – 19 February
2011
Severed Head Found with Narco Message in Acapulco, Guerrero – 18
February 2011
Hitmen Attack Police Building in Acapulco, Guerrero – 22 February
2011
MILITARY
Mexican Soldiers Dismantle Drug Lab in Zapopan, Jalisco – 19
February 2011
Soldiers Seize Over 12 Metric Tons of Marijuana in San Luis Rio
Colorado, Sonora – 17 February 2011
Mexican Soldiers Seize 282.8 Kilograms of Cocaine, 147.3 Kilograms
of Crystal Meth and 21.45 Kilograms of Heroin in Sonora – 16 February
2011
Soldiers Seize Weapons in Navojoa, Sonora – 19 February 2011
Results of Military Operations Conducted in Michoacan – 17 February
2011
FEDERAL POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Federal Police Seize more than One Metric Ton of Marijuana in Sonora
– 16 February 2011
Federal Police Arrest Two La Familia Operators in Naucalpan, Mexico
State – 21 February 2011
Federal Officers Seize 40 Kilograms of Cocaine in Sonora – 16
February 2011
Federal Police Seize 200 Kilograms of Marijuana in Ciudad Juarez,
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22 February 2011
Chihuahua – 17 February 2011
La Familia Hitmen Cell Leader Arrested in the Federal District – 18
February 2011
47 Unified State Police Officers Resign in Chihuahua – 21 February
2011
Authorities Seize 53.2 Kilograms of Pseudoephedrine Tablets at the
Mexico City International Airport – 19 February 2011
CENTRAL AMERICA
PCD Officers Seize 72 Kilograms of Cocaine in Costa Rica – 21
February 2011
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22 February 2011
MEXICO
ORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKING
77 Individuals Murdered on 18 February 2011 in Mexico – 19 February 2011
18 February 2011 marked the third most deadly day in Mexico in the past six years with 77 reported
murders. Of those murders, 22 were committed in Chihuahua, 14 in Guerrero, 14 in Nuevo Leon, 9 in
Veracruz, 2 in the Federal District, 6 in Mexico State, 5 in Coahuila, 2 Tamaulipas, and 1 in San Luis
Potosi. Some of the incidents surrounding these murders were reported as follows in the article:
Acapulco, Guerrero
Early on 18 February 2011, two groups of hitmen carried out a series of attacks against taxi drivers,
businesses, and vehicles in at least 10 neighborhoods within Acapulco. The attacks lasted for
approximately four hours and left 10 dead and two wounded. It was also reported that during the attacks,
20 vehicles were set on fire. In addition, the bodies of four murder victims were reportedly thrown over
the Mexcala Bridge onto the Del Sol highway. Some of the neighborhoods affected by these attacks were
reported as follows: Flamingos, Renacimiento, Zapata, Libertadores, Arroyo Seco, Emiliano Zapata,
Amadeo Vidales, and areas surrounding Miguel Aleman.
Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua
Of the 22 murders reported in Chihuahua, 16 were committed in Ciudad Juarez. Five of those 16 victims
were attacked while they were traveling in a vehicle in the Barrio Alto neighborhood. Two of the victims
were reported as minors.
Mexico State
The bodies of two murder victims were recovered from a lot near the Naucalpan-Toluca highway. Six
additional victims, each with a single gunshot wound to the head, were recovered from a residence
located on 18 Bugambilia Street in Arcos del Alba neighborhood of Cuautitlan Izcalli.
Nuevo Leon
14 individuals were killed in the metropolitan area of Monterrery, Nuevo Leon. These incidents were
reported as follows:
 Eight criminals were killed during a confrontation with Mexican soldiers in the Guadalupe and
Juarez municipalities.
 Five individuals (one of which was identified as a 14 year old minor) were killed by a group of
hitmen in the Eduardo Caballero neighborhood of the Guadalupe municipality. Following the
murders, the gunmen dropped the bodies of the victims near their residences.
 An unidentified individual died in the hospital after being tortured.
Panuco, Veracruz
Nine murder victims (six of which were decapitated) were left near an SSP police stand in El Moralillo
community.
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22 February 2011
Torreon, Coahuila
A group of hitmen travelling in three vehicles arrived and fired upon customers that were inside the
Delicias beer shop located in downtown Torreon. This attack left five dead and nine wounded to include
a two year old girl.
Comment: Other record breaking violent days reported over the course of the last six years were
reported as being on 24 August 2010 with 135 murders and 14 June 2010 with 91 murders.
Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/node/650191
Top of the Document
Severed Head Found with Narco Message in Acapulco, Guerrero – 18 February 2011
On 18 February 2011 at approximately 1200 hours, a severed head was recovered under the Bicentenary
Bridge at the Las Anclas intersection in Acapulco [16.8500 -99.9167], Guerrero. A narco message left
with the severed head read as follows: “So that you don’t kill innocent people”. The now deceased victim
has not yet been identified.
Spanish Source: http://www.agoraguerrero.com/article-dejan-cabeza-desollada-en-pleno-crucero-de-lasanclas-67525806.html
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Hitmen Attack Police Building in Acapulco, Guerrero – 22 February 2011
On 22 February 2011 at approximately 0105 hours, a group of gunmen opened fire on a municipal police
building located on Ruiz Cortines Avenue in the Garita neighborhood of Acapulco [16.8500 -99.9167],
Guerrero. Following this attack, it was reported that multiple police vehicles were damaged, however, no
casualties were reported. Recovered from the scene of the attack were more than 70 AK-47 shell casings.
Spanish Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/746522.html
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MILITARY
Mexican Soldiers Dismantle Drug Lab in Zapopan, Jalisco – 19 February 2011
An anonymous tip led soldiers assigned to the XV Military Zone to a
synthetic drug lab located in El Salitre village of Zapopan [20.7167 103.4000], Jalisco. Those items seized from this drug lab were
reported as follows:
 (13) 25 kilogram sacks of tartaric acid
 (6) 50 liter barrels of hydrochloric acid
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22 February 2011
 1 container with 200 liters of toluene
 5 gas masks
 4 plastic buckets
 (4) 200 liter empty containers
 (3) 50 liter barrels
 (2) 1,000 plastic tanks
No arrests were made in conjunction with the dismantling of this drug lab.
Spanish Source: http://www.informador.com.mx/jalisco/2011/272077/6/soldados-desmantelannarcolaboratorio-en-el-salitre.htm
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Soldiers Seize Over 12 Metric Tons of Marijuana in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora – 17 February
2011
On 16 February 2011, soldiers assigned to the 45th Military Zone soldiers arrested three individuals and
seized the following items while conducting land reconnaissance in San Luis Rio Colorado [32.4631 114.7767], Sonora:
 12.4 metric tons of marijuana that had been distributed in 1,147 packages
 3 rifles
 1 handgun
 6 vehicles
 353 rounds of ammunition
 4 magazines
The names of the individuals now in police custody were not reported.
Spanish Source: http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php/sala-de-prensa/comunicados-de-prensa/5960-17de-febrero-de-2011-lomas-de-sotelo-df
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Mexican Soldiers Seize 282.8 Kilograms of Cocaine, 147.3 Kilograms of Crystal Meth and 21.45
Kilograms of Heroin in Sonora – 16 February 2011
On 14 February 2011, soldiers assigned to the 45th Military Zone seized 282.8 kilograms of cocaine,
147.3 kilograms of crystal meth, and 21.45 kilograms of heroin from a tractor-trailer that was stopped at
the Cucapah check point. This checkpoint is located at the 176.5 kilometer mark along the Sonoyta-San
Luis Rio Colorado stretch of Federal Highway 2 in San Luis Rio Colorado [32.4631 -114.7767], Sonora.
Following his arrest, the driver of this vehicle reported that he departed from Culiacan, Sinaloa and was
headed to Mexicali, Baja California.
Spanish Source: http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php/sala-de-prensa/comunicados-de-prensa/5952-16de-febrero-de-2011-lomas-de-sotelo-df5
22 February 2011
Top of the Document
Soldiers Seize Weapons in Navojoa, Sonora – 19 February 2011
On 19 February 2011, soldiers assigned to the 4 th and 40th Military Zones responded to an anonymous tip
that led to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of weapons and ammunition in the 16 de Junio
neighborhood of Navojoa [27.1000-109.4333], Sonora. Those individuals now in police custody were
identified as Isai SOLIS Velazquez and Cecilio CASTRO Fierro. Those items seized from them were
reported as follows:
 21 AK-47s
 (6) .223 caliber rifles
 (5) 5.56mm rifles
 (1) 5.45mm pistol
 (1) 9mm pistol
 (1) .45 caliber pistol
 1 SW Magnum .500 caliber revolver
 (2) 40mm grenade launcher adapters
 (1) 37mm grenade launcher
 1 fragmentation grenade
 2 smoke grenades
 227 rifle magazines
 118 handgun magazines
 18 disk magazines
 16,000 rounds of ammunition
 A red 1996 Chevrolet Silverado without plates
 18 black tactical vests
 20 t-shirts, 21 hats, and 6 uniforms with the P.E.I. emblem
 1 black hat with the P.G.R. emblem
 2 black hats with the P.J.E. emblem
 11 blue hats with the P.F. emblem
 2 blue hats, 3 uniform sets, 14 shirts, 29 blue pants, 1 blue jacket, and 5 blue t-shirts with the
A.F.I. emblem
 4 uniforms
 3 camouflage uniforms
 18 knifes
According to the anonymous tip, Solis and Castro worked for a criminal cell within Los Salazar gang
headed by Jesus Rodolfo VALDEZ Miranda aka El Reno. The alleged leader of Los Salazar gang is
Alfredo SALAZAR, aka El Muñeco.
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22 February 2011
Spanish Source: http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php/sala-de-prensa/comunicados-de-prensa-de-losmandos-territoriales/5979-19-de-febrero-del-2011-hermosillo-son
Top of the Document
Results of Military Operations Conducted in Michoacan – 17 February 2011
Operations conducted by XII Military Region soldiers between 15 and 16 February 2011 in the Zitacuaro
[19.4000 -100.3667], Caracuaro [19.0106 -101.1264], and Tzitzio [19.5667 -100.9167] municipalities of
Michoacan yielded the following results:
 Arrested 8 individuals
 Seized:
o 61 kilograms of marijuana
o 25 grams of crystal meth
o 5 kilograms of marijuana seed
o 15 rifles and 6 handguns
o 129 magazines
o 1 grenade launcher adapter
o (20) 40mm grenades
o 2 fragmentation grenades
o 2 magazines
o 6 vehicles
o $(MXN) 15,170
o (USD) 7
During these operations, a gunman was killed during a confrontation with soldiers. No additional details
regarding this confrontation were provided.
Spanish Source: http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php/sala-de-prensa/comunicados-de-prensa-de-losmandos-territoriales/5963-17-de-febrero-de-2011-morelia-mich
Top of the Document
FEDERAL POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Federal Police Seize more than One Metric Ton of Marijuana in Sonora – 16 February 2011
Federal police conducting routine vehicle inspections arrested Jose Merced HERNANDEZ Flores, 48,
after discovering he was transporting 235 packages of marijuana with a net weight of 1,100 kilograms.
The arrest was carried out after officers stopped a white/blue Volvo transport truck with federal public
service plates 324AL6 at the 3rd kilometer mark along the Sonoyta-Los Vidrios stretch of National
Highway 2 in Sonora. While searching the vehicle in question, officers found the marijuana hidden within
boxes of laundry detergent.
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22 February 2011
Spanish Source:
http://www.ssp.gob.mx/portalWebApp/portal/movil.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=portal_movil_portal
_contenido&content_id=2797#wlp_portal_movil_portal_contenido
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Federal Police Arrest Two La Familia Operators in Naucalpan, Mexico State – 21 February 2011
Federal police arrested two La Familia operators and seized drugs and weapons in Naucalpan [19.4794 99.2383], Mexico State. The arrests came about after officers stopped a white 2008 Jetta (license plates
MBY1327) for an inspection on Calzada de Guadalupe Street in the San Rafael Chamapa neighborhood.
During this time, officers discovered that the two men traveling in the vehicle were in possession of the
following items:
 1,266 baggies of cocaine
 830 rounds of ammunition
 (1) 9mm weapons with 1 magazine
Following their arrests, the La Familia operators were identified as Osvaldo RODRIGUEZ Garduño, 40,
aka El Boli, and Diego Adolfo TRUJILLO Cisneros, 22. According to intelligence records, these men
were responsible for distributing drugs in the Naucalpan municipality.
Spanish Source:
http://www.ssp.gob.mx/portalWebApp/portal/movil.portal;jsessionid=QGrNNj7C1TqwqVCDyQLQwhM
TLTJLDNT1L8J2p7lR8FjS2kwGXBLv!1664634487?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=SalaDePrensaControl
ler_2&SalaDePrensaController_2_actionOverride=%2Fpageflows%2Fsspmovil%2FsalaDePrensa%2Fdet
allar&SalaDePrensaController_2identificador=2968#wlp_SalaDePrensaController_2
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Federal Officers Seize 40 Kilograms of Cocaine in Sonora – 16 February 2011
Federal police arrested Mario URIARTE Sanchez, 62, after discovering he was transporting 40 kilograms
of cocaine in a green 1995 Chevrolet Silverado with Federal District plates 811VSR in Nogales [31.3333110.9333], Sonora. The arrest was carried out after officers noted that this same individual attempted to
flee the scene after noting their presence. After a short pursuit, officers managed to stop the pickup at the
145th kilometer mark along the San Antonio-Imuris highway. Following his arrest, this individual stated
that he had departed from Chihuahua, Chihuahua and was headed to Tijuana, Baja California.
Spanish Source:
http://www.ssp.gob.mx/portalWebApp/portal/movil.portal?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=SalaDePrensaCo
ntroller_2&SalaDePrensaController_2_actionOverride=%2Fpageflows%2Fsspmovil%2FsalaDePrensa%
2Fdetallar&SalaDePrensaController_2identificador=2776#wlp_SalaDePrensaController_2
Top of the Document
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22 February 2011
Federal Police Seize 200 Kilograms of Marijuana in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – 17 February 2011
Federal police conducting routine patrols arrested four individuals and seized approximately 200
kilograms of marijuana in Ciudad Juarez [30.3167 -108.0833], Chihuahua. The seizure was made after
officers noted a Ford vehicle with Nuevo Leon plates RB-92051 and a red Ford without plates traveling
recklessly along Remora Street in the Delicias sector. After a short pursuit, officers managed to stop the
vehicles and arrested the following individuals:
 Benito VALDEZ Sauzameda, 24
 Guillermo Alonso TARANGO Olivas, 34
 Gabriela MANZANO Flores, 26
 Genoveva GONZÁLEZ Pérez, 28
While searching the vehicles in question, officers discovered 200 kilograms of marijuana distributed
within 425 packages.
Spanish Source: http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/prensa/?contenido=63350
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La Familia Hitmen Cell Leader Arrested in the Federal District – 18 February 2011
Intelligence operations carried out by CENAPI personnel led to
the arrest of Juan Carlos VASCONCELOS Montalvo, aka El
Canas, in the Ermita Iztapalapa sector [19.3511 -99.0519] of the
Federal District. Following his arrest, this individual was
identified as a La Familia hitmen cell leader operating in the
eastern sector of Mexico State. Details regarding Vasconcelos
were reported as follows in this article:
 He is the alleged mastermind behind the murder of 20
individuals over the course of the past 30 days to include
the following incidents:
o The murder of five individuals on 08 January 2011 in an area known as El Taliban in
Iztapalapa. The motive behind this murder was a settling of scores between drug
dealers.
o The murder of multiple drug dealers on 16 January 2011 in La Esperanza neighborhood
of Nezahualcoyotl.
o The murder of seven individuals on 13 February 2011.
After questioning, Vasconcelos confessed that the murders in question were carried out because he
believed that drug dealers were going to betray him and leave to work for the group known as La mano
con ojos (the hand with eyes). (La mano con ojos operates under the Beltran Leyva Cartel in the Federal
District and Mexico State).
 He identified the La Familia leader of the cell operating in Mexico State as a man from
Michoacan that operates under the nicknames of El Rockero and El Vaquero.
At the time of his arrest, Vasconcelos was in possession of a 9mm submachine gun.
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22 February 2011
Comment: CENAPI stands of Centro Nacional de Planeacion, Analisis e Informacion para el Combate a
la Delincuencia (National Center for Planning, Analysis and Information to Combat Crime).
Spanish Source: http://www.milenio.com/node/649375
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47 Unified State Police Officers Resign in Chihuahua – 21 February 2011
Julian David Rivera Breton, the Director of the Unified State Police, reported that 47 police officers have
resigned from their positions since the beginning of the new administration in Chihuahua. Although
Rivera did not elaborate on the details surrounding this situation, he reported that the resignations of these
officers was voluntary. These 47 officers are not included in the number of officers that have been fired
for failing the confidence test provided by the government.
Spanish Source: http://www.elagora.com.mx/Abandonan-elementos-la-Policia,31492.html
Top of the Document
Authorities Seize 53.2 Kilograms of Pseudoephedrine Tablets at the Mexico City International
Airport – 19 February 2011
Customs officers responding to an anonymous tip searched a warehouse at the Mexico City International
Airport [19.4342 -99.1386]. During this time, officers discovered 36 plastic bags containing purple
pseudoephedrine tablets inside a cardboard box. The box in question arrived from Bangladesh and was to
be delivered to a residence in Mexico State. The total weight of the pseudoephedrine tablets seized was
53.2 kilograms.
Spanish Source: http://www.pgr.gob.mx/prensa/2007/bol11/Feb/b16711.shtm
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CENTRAL AMERICA
PCD Officers Seize 72 Kilograms of Cocaine in Costa Rica – 21 February 2011
PCD officers conducting vehicle inspections arrested a man identified with last name CARVAJAL Lopez,
25, after discovering he was transporting 72 kilograms of cocaine. The arrest itself occurred after officers
stopped a tractor-trailer for an inspection at the Peñas Blancas checkpoint in Costa Rica. During this
time, officers discovered the cocaine shipment hidden inside a wall that had been built into the side of the
tractor-trailer. The license plates of the vehicle were reported as being from Honduras while the trailer
plates were reported as being from Costa Rica.
Spanish Source: http://www.nacion.com/2011-02-21/Sucesos/UltimaHora/Sucesos2692100.aspx
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