Convictions were;
conspiracy to import more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 1,000
kilograms of marijuana between January 2002 and July 2013, announced United
States Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Janice Ayala, special agent in
charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Antonio.
Both defendants previously pleaded guilty and, as part of their pleas, also agreed to a $5 million forfeiture.
Both defendants previously pleaded guilty and, as part of their pleas, also agreed to a $5 million forfeiture.
Today, Senior U.S.
District Judge Hilda G. Tagle, sentenced Zuniga-Hernandez to 50 years in
federal prison, while Arizmendi Hernandez [below right]will serve a 35-year-term.
During a sentencing
hearing that was held on Feb. 4, 2015, the court heard evidence regarding
sentencing enhancements or increases in the calculated sentencing guideline
ranges. During the hearing, the government presented evidence that allowed the
court to find that the sentences for both should be enhanced because they
utilized automatic weapons, grenades, homemade cannons and body armor to
provided security during the purchase, transportation and distribution of
narcotics.
The evidence also
proved that both commanded, directed and engaged in violent confrontations with
other criminal syndicates to maintain control of the plazas in Mexico. Both
received enhancements for importation of methamphetamine into the United
States, for bribing law enforcement to facilitate the crimes committed, for
maintaining premises for the purpose of manufacturing or distributing a
controlled substance.
Both also received enhancements because they
committed the offense as part of a pattern of criminal conduct or livelihood.
Finally, the court also found that both should receive an enhancement because
the evidence showed they were leader/organizers of a criminal activity that
involved five or more participants and was otherwise extensive.
“The arrest and
prosecution of these individuals dealt a significant blow to the Gulf Cartel,”
said Ayala. “Today’s sentencing marks the culmination of a sustained and
dedicated effort by HSI Brownville and Attache Mexico special agents, RGV
Sector Border Patrol agents, other federal and state and local partners and the
U.S. Attorney’s Office towards the dismantlement of transnational criminal
organizations impacting public safety on both sides of our border with Mexico.”
Zuniga-Hernandez served
as plaza boss of the El Control, Tamaulipas, Plaza, for a large period of time
between 2008 through 2011 and, during that time, Arizmendi-Hernandez was second
in command. Arizmendi-Hernandez became the plaza boss of El Control on Nov. 6,
2010, when Zuniga-Hernandez assumed control of the Matamoros Plaza upon the
death of Antonio Ezequiel Cardenas-Guillen.
On March 28, 2011,
Rafael Cardenas-Vela came to Matamoros to take over the plaza management duties
and Zuniga-Hernandez returned to the El Control Plaza (also in Matamoros municipality).
At that time, Arizmendi-Hernandez resumed his duties as second in command of
the Plaza.
Cartel Del Golfo (CDG)
plaza bosses are appointed to specific regions to help coordinate the
importation and distribution of multi-ton shipments of cocaine, marijuana and other
illicit narcotics within Mexico and into the United States. They are the lead
representatives for the CDG in a particular region or town, responsible for
maintaining control of the region and ensuring the safe passage of narcotics.
The plaza boss also extracts a “piso,” or payment, from others who want to
transport narcotics for importation into the United States or operate
businesses in that region.
The evidence presented
at sentencing indicated that Zuniga-Hernandez and the CDG smuggled more than
one ton of cocaine through the Matamoros/El Control plaza areas and more that
3000 kilograms of marijuana into the United States per month. Planes and
clandestine air strips were used to fly the cocaine into Mexico for later
importation and distribution within the United States.
Under his command were
approximately 120 lookouts and 60 estacas (a vehicle occupied by three or four
armed individuals). Thus, 60 estacas would be anywhere from 180 to 240 armed
individuals patrolling the plaza.
On Oct. 27, 2011,
Zuniga-Hernandez and Arizmendi Hernandez fled into the United States with Juan
Rincon-Rincon and Luis Ivan Nino-Duenes after a gun battle in Mexico involving
a power struggle between the plazas of the CDG.
All were found and
arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) hiding near the Rio Grande River.
Upon their arrest, agents found a gold, diamond and ruby encrusted 38 Super Colt handgun, more
than $39,000 and several cell phones. Evidence on those phones showed
discussions with “Apa” about the gun battle and what to do in response. “Apa”
was identified as Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez, the head of the CDG.
Also found were videos
of Arizmendi Hernandez, Zuniga-Hernandez and other members of the CDG in
preparation for and after the Oct. 27, 2011, gun battle.
Zuniga-Hernandez and
Arizmendi Hernandez had stipulated that the total relevant conduct during their
leadership was well in excess of 150 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms
of marijuana.
Both have agreed they obtained at least $5 million in drug proceeds as a result of the conspiracy.
Both have agreed they obtained at least $5 million in drug proceeds as a result of the conspiracy.
Both men will remain in
custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined
in the near future.
The case was result of
an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation conducted
by HSI, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Cameron County Sheriff’s
Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Angel Castro and Jody Young are
prosecuting.
Tough jez, Thank you
ReplyDeleteDo not mess! with the Lone Star State! Texas! That is what the prosecutors are trying to say.
DeleteShieeet! Texas law enforcement were getting million-dollar rich thanks to them, then they got themselves another sugar daddy:
Delete--los zetas, who pushed Wicho y Mando to cross into the US a balazos to steal away the CDG, too many "coincidences"...El coss was next, of course, jefe osiel was gone by then...
"federal prison" is what it said . I don't know what the current guidelines are on % but that sounds like a lot of time to plea for . Usually a plea is for a sweeter deal . Then again walking out someday is better than a box .
DeleteHope they rot in there
@ 4:47
DeleteNo seas un pendejo....they crossed into the U.S. to flee from other Gulf Cartel members. There's was an internal war going on within the CDG
8:31 They would probably had got about the same or maybe even life sentence in New York, they don't like dealing with those kind of ppl over there. Life of crimes..
DeleteBahahaha! If they are still alive they need to buy stock in depends and walker supply company! They will need them by then!
ReplyDeleteThis people have so much money that they don't have to worry about nothin' . There kids and grand kids are good, that's a fact.
DeleteYes..
DeleteThey qualify for refugee status because they were forced to run into the US, I don't know ow how the rest of the charges got proved, but looks like entrapment, with all the enhancements, not contemplated on the guilty plea...
ReplyDelete-The appeals will bring down the sentences by a half at least, "don't worry baby"...youtube
Save your two dollar legal advice these two do not qualify for any refugee status , a refugee is one who is displaced because of government or cival unrest in war torn countries . Not because they fled from a drug war dispute in which they were involved in
DeleteZetas=mexican government narco-mierdocracia sponsored paramilitary narco-terrorists, allied with Texas mafiosos, also called la compañia=cia=CIA...
Delete--GET OUT OF MY COURTROOM!
Pobre vato este "lawyer."
Delete12:41 thanks for the payrise, my bill was two cents, pro bono...there are better lawyers, real ones, that may get involved, this is one hot potato and a great opportunity to make your name...
Delete--Texas "law" is known all over the world for its infamous "railroads" which are often deadlier to minorities and the poor, while pampering to white supremacist, rich and moneyed
Millie you really have to stop answering your own posts,very strange mi chica
DeleteLa pura meth, heroina, crack con este pinche loro marikon pedorro
DeleteCardenas vela testified against this guys in court in a agreement whit the feds there was a audio recorded like 2 years ago of Cardenas Jr o 900 detailing how the mana ran the Matamoros plaza wicho got kicked out of Matamoros for steeling armored pananamericanas I remember the stacas of wicho Los xw taking full groceries loads from truckers that when on for many weeks the halcones would get less pay but would get the rest of their check or( amarillo) as the cdg calls it in food Jr snitched and got 10 years he helped the feds build a stronger case against wicho costillas c.d.g faction
ReplyDeleteGood post man,no boolshit about about irrelevant shit...
DeleteConvicted drug distributors in prison wether in high security or low are the most respected amongst inmates, once they check your papers they'll never mess with them
ReplyDeleteEven more If its a Cartel/Mafia boss. Everybody treats Benjamin Arellano like a god in Coleman federal in Florida. Even the guards call him "Senor Arellano". This guy gets more respect than whitey bulger and Gambino capos who were recently transfered there.
DeleteWhat county jail you talking about Willis? -- "most respected" "check your papers"? This is Texas and they pleaded guilty in a federal court. Rules kind of apply and since a guilty plea was made the plea bargain was made without a right of appeal . The only issues that can be appealed are limited pre-trial issues and maybe, only maybe a extra enhancement that cannot be justified or sustained. But by the looks at everything, they are headed to SuperMax isolation to talk with the walls and doors for the rest of their natural lives. Where's the respect in that? There is no favorable treatment in SuperMax. Hopefully they watched the Spanish version of "Cast Away."
DeleteAnd knowingly they took the plea bargains knowing their fate at the end. They didn't have their arms twisted or were beaten to take the plea, they knew that in their best interests they had to accept the plea.
Another thing, after "checking the papers" in any prison, state or federal rivals will show you the respect with a shiv or 2 inside you. So get real with the respect bullshit.
They accepted their pleas in March of last year (2014) they knew their potential fate then. If they snitched and ratted they got nothing, they had a year plus to "assist" but as it seems, they hit the Powerball jackpot with eventual slow hallucinating old age death in an American SuperMax hotel. I accept their demise. HAHAHA
Not true, unless your a short eyes (chester), rapist, or unaffiliated murderer of an affiliated person (which all work against you) you get disrespect or respect based on how you carry yourself in prison and how violent your willing to be. If you're a pot bellied cartel member with noodle arms that only killed people when you had twenty guys with you and the victims were innocents, you might not be so tough when facing hardened killers coming at you with knives....their drug connections might be useful to the prison gangs and that could carry them for a while, since they'll be under the wing while their useful
DeleteCast Away's gotta love it! They'll be so hopped on bug juice anyway they won't even remember they're not in Mexico but some grand old 5 start hotel in the states! LOL
Delete@10:44PM apparently you do not know too much about USP Coleman. One of the largest prison complexes in America. Question??? What Gambino capos were "recently" transferred there? Question??? Whitey Bulger is in USP Coleman 2 of which is a Supermax. Question??? What guards and inmates call Arellano "Sr. Arellano" - the Spanish speaking ones? Before you start reading Time Life remembers series get your facts down. Also, Arellano is currently housed in USP Coleman 1 which is high max security a drop down from the Supermax he was recently brought from in at USP Coleman 2. Supermax there is no communication or interaction except with the walls and floor. You do not see other inmates and the guards are not allowed to speak to you. This is where Arellano just came from and now he is in Coleman 1 and he still has tight restrictions. So tell me, where did you get your facts on Arellano and also the mafia capos? He was barely granted permission to give an interview and for a writer/publisher to come talk to him about a book. This man is dangerous still and there are those inside who want him dead, among them different factions of rivals. So throw that guard/inmate respect shit out the window and down the hall Sr Arellano...no habla English?
DeleteThey call everybody by there last name in prison. And they call them senor to show respect to the individual not because of who they are. Respect is important wether youre a C/O or an Inmate.
Delete
DeleteBenjamin still a dangerous man??? The man has been locked since 2002. More than a decade. All his connections from the 80s-90s are there, left in those eras. If you read his new released book , he quit "the life" along time ago. His little brother El Tigrillo stabbed him in the back by cooperating with the feds. He's done. Benja is just a senior citizen trying to get out to be with his family. What rival factions want to do him? C'mon get real. He was no gang banger. He was a Boss. Now retired. If anything , all his capos once upon a time ago , (chuy labra, mayel, kitty paez , Arturo villareal , a few narco jrs etc) are all nobodys now in federal. Who are the ones who need to watch their back. It's Sinaloa and other active organizations that run the business inside. The paisas. Nobody in federal even remembers who or what CAF / Cartel de Tijuana was. Maybe in the 90s but not now.
For the person at 5:12 you are a fool. No where in the book does it say his brother ratted on him. You read too many internet "secret sources" postings. However, there was a meeting between brothers but he does NEVER once mention his brother was going to turn him in in the book. He may state he is retired and yes, there are those who want him and the rest of his family dead or in prison as has been happening. The book was his only avenue of being a crybaby to say the united states illegally had him extradited waawaawaa, oh how my heart bleeds for this Mexican Hitler. The book is his version, his version alone of what went on in Mexico. Since it has been released the book has had very few sold, no one is interested in propaganda. He sleeps with both eyes open. EOS
DeleteThose SUPERMAX got many rooms vacant. WHO'S NEXT with a 25 to 60 years sentence.
DeleteI am shocked Arellano has not been stabbed yet in the slammer. He won't make it out to finish his other sentence someone will kill him first. The man has too many enemies and one thing about Mexican paybacks is that they last a lifetime and one never knows when its coming. Taxpayers money wasted housing him, they should have opted for a death penalty case if they had one then. I know they had one on his brother but he was shitting bricks anything but the death penalty. How funny they massacre thousands but get scared and cry when the real shit hits the fan.
DeleteThis is for 2:13PM for your reference and info no one is called by their last name. You are nothing but a register number and it has absolutely nothing at all to do with respect. All these posters on the boards 'respect this respect that' fuck that, the only respect in prison is how bad you are in there and how you handle yourself. Not by Mr this Sr that or I was leader of this and that. Inside you are no one, no one at all you establish yourself inside, not by what you think you know or who you know. That is the surest way to get cut up.
Deletei'm surprised the old man hasn't been done in yet since he got outta supermax and put across compound. This louse gets no respect inside too many people want him dead. There is a Mexican blood feud vendetta on him for anyone to take the hit. Remember the saying what goes around comes around.
DeleteUnlike Mexico where they would have been drinking Tequila and a few cold Coronas next week these rat fucks will die in an American prison by good old American justice. Good riddance scum. NEXT....
ReplyDeleteGood old american justice sucks, giving the privileged 15 years for murder, kicking th out in 6... and NEVER prosecuting the real very rich, often even after proving the case for greed and aggressive support and participation in crime
DeleteJustice sucks? bleeding heart liberal and i guess you want to spread the wealth too? fucking democrats always bitchin' to make the world a welfare center
DeleteWealth gets.spread around, bank bailouts, loans, war making powers for private military corporations, environmental easements for dirty polluters and private health organizations billing billions of dollars to the government in spurious charges, talk to them welfare queens...
DeleteThere will be no refuge for them. Neither will they get a sentence reduction. The difference between Mexico and the US is that Mexico takes sympathy. The US acknowledges just how dangerous a person is. They broke so many US federal laws, one for crossing the border. Members of cartels don't qualify for citizenship because they are running from other criminals. I can assure you these guys are away for a long time. The US is hard on drugs, especially in the volumes these guys were handling. It will most likely be maximum security due to their cartel involvement. They can appeal, but the judge only applied what the law allows. Only way for them to win a reduction is to prove their case was not handled within the confines of the law. Only choice they have to get some reduction is to snitch. Respected or not in prison, there are way to many like them there already, some of which are rivals. I am sure they would rather not be there.
ReplyDeleteI would not give up that money either way your f@$k in prison
ReplyDeleteNow why did one got 50 years and the other marrano cacheton got 35 years, werent they doing pretty much exactly the same thing. luego dicen ke los sapos feos tienen mas suerte sera verdad o ke pedo de marrano. Lol
ReplyDeleteSnitches and Narcos running scared
ReplyDeleteDon't get in the Game if you can't take heat.
Treachery and Greed go hand in hand.
There have been many mistrials in the world, and Tejas specializes on mistrials, from the lofty platitudes of the horse's ass they rode in on...
ReplyDelete--of course you need to be Tejas mafia and if possible Tejas government corruption syndicate like lupe Treviño to get mercy, to keep your pension and I'll gotten gains, or a Treviño son.
Wtf I don't understand, how these guys get so much time and Osiel got 20yrs and he was the top dawg
ReplyDelete250 million dollars spoke for osiel...
Delete--these pendejos (no offense, mil mascaras) only had what 5 million dollars..the prostiturers hopes of a big money crashed, the states attorneys got their hopes crushed, and took it on the pleas with the enhancements ... 5 million usd. Sucks...
Osiel helped the DEA Agents and cut a deal with them thats how, he probably helped the same Agents he threatened hahahaha look at Arellano Felix bros...2 of them got 25yrs n 1 got 15yrs that there is sweet
DeleteTexas has a reputation of handing out harsh sentences in criminal cases, especially death sentences. These guys should feel lucky that the prosecutors could not prove a capital case against them.
ReplyDeleteA gang enforcer convicted of beating and strangling a San Antonio woman who refused to pay a Mexican Mafia-imposed tax on her illegal drug sales is set to be executed this week. But his execution will create some big problems for Texas Justice.
The lethal injection of Manuel Vasquez on Wednesday evening would leave prison officials in the nation's most active death penalty state with enough pentobarbital to carry out only one more execution until they are able to obtain a new supply. At least six executions are scheduled in the coming weeks in Texas, where prison officials — like in other death penalty states — have struggled to find providers for drugs for executions.
The Texas Legislature might have to call a special session to pass a law authorizing firing squad executions if lethal injection drugs are not available. Yesterday the Utah state senate voted approval of a bill previously approved by the House. The Governor has not said whether he would sign it. In Texas that would not be a problem.
Are you kidding?? (Mar. 11 at 8:20) that the state of Texas only has enough phenobarbital for one more execution and then they have to wait for what? Fed-Ex to bring in another batch? Where in hell do people like You get your B.S. information? Mad magazine? Doe's anybody that reads this B.S. believe that for a minute? Their has to be at least 100 other drugs available that A. can be just as toxic and deadly but most ironic is that they can take a 45 minute drive south to Mexico and pick up cases of it for about 50% cheaper I might add, so it will be a cold day in hell when and if Texas puts a moratorium
Deleteon the death penalty because someone forgot to order this months poison!
you'd think with the emphasis on machismo gangsters tend to have, they'd all want to die by firing squad. its definitely more befitting an outlaw mentality than a gurney and shot of chemicals more befitting a dog
DeleteDD you are right about Texas. It has the most deaths from death row but Oklahoma has the most per capita. Really the difference is Texas seems to advertise theirs and draw national attention. Oklahoma doesn't. As for the lethal cocktail used, it was provided to the US from the UK. Now the UK being against the death penalty, refuses to provide the US with the serum for the death penalty. Since they stopped providing the serum, the US had 2 botched death penalty cases with mixtures doctors put together, Also Texas may have a difficult time pushing forward due to one of their forensics labs fudging results for positive matches. Texas uses it the most, but at the same time they have the highest record of killing innocent people. Time will tell.
DeleteUtah just voted to go with the firing squad, Texas can go with HANGING, like back in the old West.
DeleteUtah last carried out execution by firing squad in 2010. They should have no problem reinstating it. Texas, on the other hand, is more squeamish. They have not used hanging or firing squad in decades. Washington State and New Hampshire are the only two US states with hanging still listed as a method.
DeleteTexas justice is handed out according to how much money the white family can provide for defense. A good example is life in prison for a poor Mexican who hit a policeman directing traffic while driving drunk, whereas a white girl from a wealthy family got probation for the same crime.
This is federal court, not the Texas system. Actually this is a much harsher sentence than given to almost any other Mexican National covicted of org crime crimes.
Deletejust look at the zetas recent case, from probation to 20 years,Cardenas 20 (I think that was it) and all the others, short sentences, relatively speaking. and when they return to Mexico the double jeopardy law kicks in.
They may win an appeal but if not they will die in prison. there is little time off for good behavior I think it is about a month a year or a little more.
I read about the case of the killing of the lady who refused to drop a dime, that was a brutal killing and zero remorse. Manuel Vasquez of the Mexican Mafia cold blooded killer.
DeleteDD is correct finding the drug is difficult, so they may have to revert to older methods of execution.
You play with fire you get burned, lady should of never been involved with La Eme or drugs. No remorse is correct thats why Vasquez got death penalty. Eye for an eye.
DeleteTexas, like other US states, is unable to obtain the drugs for lethal injection from reputable sources who refuse to sell them. So some states have resorted to home made drugs from, shall we say, less than reputable sources. The results have been botched executions that fall under the term "cruel and unusual punishment.", as anyone who actually reads the news would know. Hence the need to go back to earlier methods. The electric chair seems to be out of favor and the gas chamber as well, so with effective lethal injections no longer possible, it is likely many states will go back to guns or rope.
DeleteDONALD RUMSFELD MAY HAVE SOME POISON GAS LEFT, he's been out of work for a while, and needs to earn some money to qualify for Obamacare...
DeleteHey Chivis,
DeleteWhy not just use a couple of doses of pure heroine...overdose!!!
I commend the US for having the balls to retain the death penalty in the face of hypocrisy from other countries.I don't think it deters,but so what?Some crimes are beyond the pail..
DeleteThe death penalty got a bad name BECAUSE OF TOO MANY WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS convinced legislators that their badly shattered reputations were on the line, not because of concerns for the convicts...
DeleteDamn 50 n 35 yrs, not even the Arellano-Felixs got that amount of time. They got 25yrs, hahahaha n they were the HEAD HANCHOS!!
ReplyDeletethe reason the aretes got so liltlle time is cause they agree to help the usa gob. in their quest to bring ther boss ( hank) to paid for his deeds .which i dout ever happening
DeleteThe last words of Manuel Vasquez who was executed last week in Texas were a statement to his family told his family and friends he loved them and thanked 'the Lord for his kind mercy, faithfulness and unconditional love.'
Delete'In Jesus' name I pray,' he said, then told the warden: 'I'm ready.'
He took three deep breaths, then began snoring loudly. The snores became progressively quiet, and all movement stopped within less than a minute.
So for 50 years if counted day and night he has to do 25? Or is it 50?
ReplyDeleteFederally sentenced people will do approximately 85 % of the time.
Delete85% to be elegible for parole, but federal parole biard still can make him do all his time.
DeleteBefore you get your knickers in a bunch, check out this posthttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/13/life-without-parole_n_4256789.html. Yes, it is the federal system, but the geographical sentencing decisions, while not immune from the federal guidelines, can still harsh when compared to some states. Some think Texas is still a foreign country or part of Mexico. There are more than a few federal and state inmates doing life without parole for drug offenses throughout the U.S. Also, check out the Sentencing Project fact sheet. K. Onda
ReplyDeleteEl jefe wicho de control tamps como olvidar aquellos tiempos Arriba lucio blanco y control esa Tierra fue tuya desde el 2001 no 2008 pero bueno todo se acaba ojala y arregles algo pa k salgasbmas pronto k tu familia te kisiera ver
ReplyDeleteAy animales ke nunca aprenden. No estan en mexico en donde asen lo ke se les pega la gana.
Delete