José Treviño Morales
José Treviño Morales | |
---|---|
Occupation(s) | Money laundering, horse racing, horse breeding |
Employer | Los Zetas |
Spouse | Zulema Treviño |
Relatives | Miguel Treviño Morales (Brother) Omar Treviño Morales (Brother) |
José Treviño Morales is a Mexican former money launderer for Los Zetas, a Mexican criminal organization. He is the brother of the former Zetas leaders Omar Treviño Morales (alias Z-42) and Miguel Treviño Morales (alias Z-40). In 2008, Treviño funded a horserace operation in Oklahoma with money he made through money laundering. Nonetheless, he was arrested by the FBI along with seven others in a horse-breeding ranch in Lexington, Oklahoma on 12 June 2012. He was found guilty of money laundering in May 2013, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a U.S. federal court in September of that same year.
Events
On 12 June 2012, federal agents raided some stables and a house ranch of Treviño Morales in
The indictment alleges how Treviño Morales, his brothers, and his close associates arranged a network where they quietly purchased race horses with drug proceeds at auctions, to then disguise the source of the funds used by them to cover up the involvement of
After a number of wins, Treviño "stunned the quarter-horse world," winning competition after competition with unknown horses, and rising as a well-known figure within the racing community, where he even gave interviews.[9]
Seizures and raids
At least a half-dozen federal agents wearing military-like uniforms and baseball caps with the FBI insignias stood by Treviño Morales's ranch in Oklahoma on 12 June 2012.[10] The raid in Oklahoma netted to Treviño Morales and his associates; however, several other raids were carried out by federal agents across the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, where he had properties.[9] Federal agents and prosecutors are trying to seize their properties, bank accounts, and horses. Authorities issued a seizure warrant for 41 horses that deemed most valuable to the money laundering operation in an effort to prevent them from being sent south into Mexico.[10] The government ordered to ensure the care of the other 384 horses in the ranch.[10] Nonetheless, it is difficult for the authorities to seize live animals because it is expensive to feed and take good care of them.[9]
Several raids were also carried out by the Mexican authorities in Mexico; the arrest of several cartel members in the state of Veracruz was what led to the investigation of Treviño Morales' assets in the United States.[11]
Raising suspicions
A day after Treviño Morales was arrested by federal agents, people in the Oklahoma ranching community claimed that he was a "good neighbor".
It wasn't just the cash payments that brought attention to Treviño Morales and caught the eyes of those in the racing industry.[15] Treviño Morales had earned a reputation for always paying his bills and giving out handsome prices for some of the elite horses across the nation. "They paid their bills and didn't cause any trouble," the director of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association said.[15] While it is common for foreigners to pay in cash for their transactions in the horse racing industry, the payments of Treviño Morales were "noteworthy in value."[15] The quality of the horses they were buying and the amount of money they would spend to buy them "raised some eyebrows."[15]
Aftermath
U.S. Security Warning
Following the arrest of Treviño Morales, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a security message on 12 June 2012 for American citizens living or planning to travel to Mexico.[16] The message asked Americans to be aware of the incident involving Treviño Morales' arrest, and asked them to be prepared for any violent retaliation by Los Zetas for the arrests. The embassy stated that given the history and resources of the drug trafficking organizations, Americans in Mexico should maintain low profile and heighten their awareness.[16] The message, found on the official page of the Consulate General of the United States in the Mexican border city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, states the following:
"The U.S. Embassy alerts U.S. citizens traveling and residing in Mexico to the enhanced potential for violence related to today’s arrests of Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) associates and family members residing in the United States ... These arrests could result in some form of retaliation and/or anti-American violence ... maintain a low profile and a heightened sense of awareness."[17]
Moreover, the communiqué urged Americans to defer non-essential travels to the state of Tamaulipas and register at their nearest embassy online, via phone call, or in person.[18] Previously in February 2012, the United States Department of State issued security warnings to Americans in Mexico, but particularly in Tamaulipas. It prohibited Americans to travel outside the city limits of Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo, and Matamoros due to the risks of armed robberies and carjackings.[19] The department also encouraged them to not frequent casinos or adult entertainment establishments within the cities, and established a midnight to 6 a.m. curfew.[19] Most of the reported crimes, however, happen from Matamoros to Tampico on the Mexican Federal Highway 101, especially through the municipality of San Fernando, Tamaulipas and in northern Tampico.[19]
Tamaulipas' response
The Government of the state of Tamaulipas rejected the security message issued by the U.S. government and classified it as an "overreaction."[20] In their defense, the Mexican authorities noted that Tamaulipas is safeguarded by federal forces, and that there is currently no correlation between the arrest in the U.S. state of Oklahoma and the situation in Matamoros and the rest of Tamaulipas.[20] They also said that the incident is merely a media backlash and ignores the efforts the Mexican government is implementing.[21] Moreover, Julio Almanza Armas, a politician from Tamaulipas, stated through Milenio that the reality in Mexico is not how the U.S. portrays it.[22] He said that the drug-related violence that occurs in Tamaulipas often happens in isolated circumstances.[22] He accepted, however, that Mexico lives through harsh times, but reiterated his stance in support of Tamaulipas.[22]
IRS's comment
After an indictment was unsealed on 12 June 2012, the chief of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) criminal investigation stated the following:
"This case is a prime example of the ability of Mexican drug cartels to establish footholds in legitimate US industries and highlights the serious threat money laundering causes to our financial system."[2]
— Richard Weber
Horse racing is a "perfect vehicle" for laundering money from drug proceeds and hiding it from the authorities.[23] The drug industry makes billions of dollars a year, so drug traffickers often find themselves unable to ship the cash back to Mexico, and end up laundering it in the United States. Buying ranches across the U.S. is a viable way of laundering money.[23] When the money is not laundered, it ends up in the hands of the territorial bosses for counting and further distribution.[23] But when the cartels turn to laundering, they make "investments in racing quarter horses purchased via bulk currency payments, wire transfers, structured deposits and bulk currency deposits."[23] With push-to-talk Nextels, BlackBerries, UHF/VHF radio communications, the Mexican cartels can oversee their laundering operations on U.S. soil.[23]
Treviño Morales' money laundering case serves as a worrisome reminder that the operations of the Mexican drug cartels does not end at the U.S. border with Mexico.
Series of Zeta arrests
On 15 June 2012, three days after the arrest of Treviño Morales, his nephew – Juan Francisco Treviño (a.k.a. El Quico) – was arrested in the industrial city of
These series of arrests target those who were suspected of laundering millions of dollars for Los Zetas in the legitimate economy. This attack on the Zetas is a response to the long-standing criticisms made to Felipe Calderón for his security policies.[33] In addition, it fits the proposed strategy of his likely successor, Enrique Peña Nieto.[33] He announced that if voted in, he will appoint Óscar Naranjo as his security advisor, a prominent Colombian police general. Peña Nieto promises that Naranjo's incorporation will bring Mexico into a more robust focus on the financial networks of the criminal groups, just like the strategy that was implemented in Colombia.[34] Nonetheless, it is still unclear whether attacking the financial sectors of the drug cartels will bring down the violence.[33] But that is not to say that the series of arrests after the capture of Treviño Morales should not be deemed as noteworthy and significant.[33]
Court case
On 3 July 2012, Treviño Morales pleaded not guilty during a detention hearing in Austin, Texas. His attorney argued that he was not a risk to flee or commit a crime; the judge agreed with the attorney's statement, but said that Treviño Morales might possibly flee to Mexico if he was given bail.[35] Treviño Morales, along with eight others, were set to go on trial on 22 October 2012 and the trial was expected to take two weeks in length.[36]
Federal prosecutors stated they would present 30,000 pages of documents and over 2,000 recorded phone conversations to prosecute him.[37]
On 9 May 2013, Treviño Morales was found guilty of money laundering in a Texan jury and faced up to 20 years in prison.[38] On 5 September 2013, he was found guilty of the charges in a federal court in Austin, Texas and sentenced to 20 years.[39]
Bank of America laundering scheme
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Los Zetas used several accounts at the Bank of America corporation to hide money and invest it in the horse racing operation headed by Treviño Morales.[40] The money was allegedly held in bank accounts in Charlotte, North Carolina with the ultimate goal of appearing as a legitimate source of income for Treviño Morales' purchases. Bank of America is not accused of any wrongdoing, and according to reports of The Wall Street Journal, the bank is actually cooperating with the FBI.[40] Los Zetas laundered more than $1 million US dollars in this scheme.[41]
References
- ^ a b Llorca, Juan Carlos (13 June 2012). "Feds: Horse operation was a front for cartel cash". Associated Press. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b "Mexican drug cartel 'laundered money through US horse breeding'". The Guardian. 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d Llorca, Juan Carlos (13 June 2012). "Zetas drug cartel laundering drug money at horse track?". KGBT-TV. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ "No hay procesos en México de hermano de líder de Los Zetas detenido en EE.UU". Univision (in Spanish). 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- New York Times. Archivedfrom the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b c Talley, Tim (13 June 2012). "Feds: Horse operation a front for cartel". USA Today. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ "Mexico drug gang 'used US horse racing as front'". BBC News. 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ Oberman, Mira (13 June 2012). "Zetas leader among 14 indicted in US for money laundering". Agence France-Presse. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b c Contreras, Guillermo. "Agents go after Zetas in raids". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b c Llorca, Juan Carlos (12 June 2012). "Feds: Horse racing operation tied to drug cartel". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 27 June 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ "México indaga red de lavado en EU". El Informador (in Spanish). 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ The Houston Chronicle. Archivedfrom the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- The Houston Chronicle. 13 June 2012. Archivedfrom the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ "Quarterhorse ranch raised suspicions". Fox Sports. 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Oklahoma, New Mexico horse-racing tracks linked to Mexican drug cartel, Feds say". Fox News. 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b Chapa, Sergio (13 June 2012). "Arrest of Zetas leader's brother prompts Mexico travel warning". KGBT-TV. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ "Security Message for U.S. Citizens – Possibility for Retaliation Following TCO Arrests". Consulate General of the United States in Matamoros. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ "EU emite alerta de seguridad en Tamaulipas". El Universal (in Spanish). 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 22 August 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b c "Travel Warning U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Consular Affairs". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b González, Héctor (13 June 2012). "Tamaulipas rechaza alerta de viaje emitida por Estados Unidos". Excélsior (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ "Califican como una sobrerreacción alerta emitida por EU". Excélsior (in Spanish). 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
- ^ a b c Soto, Francisco (11 June 2012). "Fecanaco rechaza alertas migratorias norteamericanas". Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Serrano, Richard A. (13 June 2012). "Mexico cartel accused of laundering money at U.S. racetracks". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d Ramsey, Geoffrey (13 June 2012). "Zetas Used Horse-Breeding Company to Launder Money in US". InSight Crime. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ Fox, Edward (2 May 2012). "US Seizes 3 Tons of Meth Precursor Chemicals Bound for Mexico". InSight Crime. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ Looft, Christopher (22 May 2012). "Arizona is Money Laundering Hub for Mexican Cartels". InSight Crime. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- Global Post. Archivedfrom the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b Garza, Aracely (15 June 2012). "Nuevo golpe al Z-40, detienen a sobrino El Quico en Monterrey". Excélsior (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- ^ "Cae en Nuevo León un sobrino del Z-40, segundo de a bordo del cártel de Los Zetas". La Jornada (in Spanish). 15 June 2012. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- ^ "Purchaser of racehorses for drug gang due in court". Houston Chronicle. 21 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- Global Post. Archivedfrom the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- ^ Castilla, Gustavo (15 June 2012). "Detienen al Zar de la piratería, autor de ataques con granadas en Matamoros". La Jornada (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 June 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d Corcoran, Patrick (17 June 2012). "Horse Racing Arrests Kick Off Bad Week for the Zetas". InSight Crime. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ "Peña incorpora a general colombiano como asesor en seguridad". Animal Político (in Spanish). 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- ^ "Brother of Zetas cartel leaders held in Texas jail". USA Today. 3 July 2012. Archived from the original on 20 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
- ^ "Zetas cartel racehorse case set for October trial". KGBT-TV. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- The Huffington Post. Archivedfrom the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- New York Times. 9 May 2013. Archived from the originalon 10 May 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
- ^ "Hermano del 'Z-40' recibe una sentencia de 20 años en EU". El Universal (Mexico City) (in Spanish). Notimex. 5 September 2013. Archived from the original on 6 September 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ a b Rubenfeld, Samuel (9 July 2012). "FBI Says Zetas Laundering Scheme Used BofA Accounts". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
- ^ "Mexico Drug Cartel Funneled Money through Bank of America, FBI Says". Fox News. 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.