Zetas in Laredo
Zetas Operate Cells in the United States (Laredo)
www.mysanantonio.com : Jeorge Zarazua : July 19th 2007
www.mysanantonio.com : Jeorge Zarazua : July 19th 2007
Summary:
At the recent murder trial of Rosalio Reta, an accomplice David Martinez Cerezo, an admitted Zeta operative, has testified, providing illuminating details on the depth and capability of Zeta influence in the US. According to Cerezo, the Zetas have 3 cells operating in Laredo, Texas. Each cell has approximately three members. Presumably with the arrest of Cerezo and his associates there are 2 known cells remaining. Operatives seem to be young and recruited locally. They earn $2000 monthly salary, plus bonuses for extra jobs, like the murder they are now on trail for. In addition to carrying out assassinations, the cells undertake various logistical and support roles. For example, they secured houses and cars for the organization to use. The cells report to a local leader Lucio Velez Quintero, who oversees the Zeta’s Laredo operations. He in turn reports to Miguel Treviño Morales A.K.A. "El Cuarenta" or "40”, who commands the Zetas in Nuevo Laredo, across the border in Mexico. Reta, Cerezo, and two other cell members have been detained and are now on trail for a Zeta ordered hit. Quintero and Morales, the leaders, remain at large.
At the recent murder trial of Rosalio Reta, an accomplice David Martinez Cerezo, an admitted Zeta operative, has testified, providing illuminating details on the depth and capability of Zeta influence in the US. According to Cerezo, the Zetas have 3 cells operating in Laredo, Texas. Each cell has approximately three members. Presumably with the arrest of Cerezo and his associates there are 2 known cells remaining. Operatives seem to be young and recruited locally. They earn $2000 monthly salary, plus bonuses for extra jobs, like the murder they are now on trail for. In addition to carrying out assassinations, the cells undertake various logistical and support roles. For example, they secured houses and cars for the organization to use. The cells report to a local leader Lucio Velez Quintero, who oversees the Zeta’s Laredo operations. He in turn reports to Miguel Treviño Morales A.K.A. "El Cuarenta" or "40”, who commands the Zetas in Nuevo Laredo, across the border in Mexico. Reta, Cerezo, and two other cell members have been detained and are now on trail for a Zeta ordered hit. Quintero and Morales, the leaders, remain at large.
Analysis:
The cellular structure that Cerezo describes confirms that the Zetas have a fairly sophisticated understanding of operational security and that Cerezo likely doesn’t have the full picture. It is probable that cell members are ignorant of the scope of the organization, which is the reason for the cellular structure. It’s a kind of compartmentalization structure that limits the amount of information that an individual member has. So, it is likely Cerezo as a cell member, has very limited knowledge. Quintero is the only one how would really know how many cells are operating in Laredo. By the statement of Cerezo, who said that they would buy houses and cars for the groups use, there are likely more than just the three cells he mentions. If his cell is operating often as a logistical type cell, then the question remains. Who is using these cars and houses? Perhaps these cells support other cells.
The cellular structure that Cerezo describes confirms that the Zetas have a fairly sophisticated understanding of operational security and that Cerezo likely doesn’t have the full picture. It is probable that cell members are ignorant of the scope of the organization, which is the reason for the cellular structure. It’s a kind of compartmentalization structure that limits the amount of information that an individual member has. So, it is likely Cerezo as a cell member, has very limited knowledge. Quintero is the only one how would really know how many cells are operating in Laredo. By the statement of Cerezo, who said that they would buy houses and cars for the groups use, there are likely more than just the three cells he mentions. If his cell is operating often as a logistical type cell, then the question remains. Who is using these cars and houses? Perhaps these cells support other cells.
Another interesting aspect of this article is the insight it gives into how the Zetas might recruit and use lesser criminals to support their goals. The article says Reta is 17-years-old, hardly a seasoned Special Forces operator. However, the Zetas used him to conduct low level support operations and an assassination that was low level, a dispute over a girl. Perhaps this is how the relationship between MS-13 and the Zetas has worked. MS-13, being one of the largest Latino gangs, provides a legion of low level criminal resources, which could be tapped into, used, and then discarded once their activities have compromised their patrons. However, the details of Cerezo and Reta’s recruitment and affiliation with MS remain unreported.
Comments