Additional Coverage:
- Zeta drug lord continued to control cartel from inside a Mexican prison, says US indictment (newsbreak.com)
Zetas Cartel Leader Accused of Running Gang from Mexican Prison
Miguel Angel Treviño Morales, the former leader of the notorious Zetas cartel, is accused of continuing to control the Northeast Cartel while behind bars in a Mexican prison.
The US indictment alleges that Treviño Morales, known as “Zeta 40,” created the Northeast Cartel as a successor to the Zetas. He and his brother Omar allegedly used family members to run the gang’s daily operations.
This indictment highlights the lack of security in Mexican prisons, where inmates have access to unsupervised meetings that allow them to communicate with the outside world.
The Northeast Cartel, also known as Cartel Del Noreste, has taken over the border city of Nuevo Laredo and is known for its violent tactics. It has carried out attacks on army patrols, including one that killed a soldier last week.
The Treviño Morales brothers face charges of drug trafficking, conspiracy, and other offenses that could result in life in prison. The US has requested their extradition, but it has been delayed by court appeals.
Drug lords in Mexico often resist extradition to continue operating their gangs from prison. However, one of Treviño Morales’ relatives, Juan Gerardo Treviño, was captured and deported to the US due to his US citizenship.
The Northeast Cartel’s reign of terror has caused “horrible atrocities” according to US Attorney Jaime Esparza. The authorities continue to investigate the cartel’s activities and seek to dismantle it.