12 Members of some of Tijuana's most prominent families arrested for money laundering in an operation where the DEA participated

Original article available at Jornada ABC
Translated by El Wachito
Prior recommended reading: PAN politician arrested in San Diego

The arrest of prominent members of the society of Tijuana, including the arrest of PAN politician Luis Torres Santillan, who took possession of his post last December 1st, brought attention to Fernando Beltran, who is the favorite businessman of Governor Kiko Vega, due to the fact that they share family and work links.

Governor Kiko Vega, the next Duarte, Padres, Moreina

According to Jesse Navarro, one of spokesman of the Fiscal Agency of San Diego, the investigation has been on going for almost a year and more people could be involved. He confirmed that an elevated bail bond of 5 million dollars was requested in order to guarantee that Torres Santillan attends all his court hearings, and according to Jesse, the 10 charges of money laundering could land him up to 15 years in prison.

Fernando Beltran with his friend Kiko Vega

Torres Santillan, a 37 year old male, who Navarro identified as the "principal accused" of the investigation, was a member of the Coparmex and the Boxing commission of Tijuana, and was describe by the current governor of Tijuana,  Juan Manuel Gastelum (PAN), as an "extraordinary person", and a "member of one of the most prominent families of Tijuana, because he was distinguished in the Coparmex".

Karla Verena Lamas of Escalante was arrested, (Ex-president of Coparmex on the right)

Among the detained, several members of the David Javier Espinoza family are present, the family is known for owning Money Exchange Centers in the area of La Mesa. Three of his sons are on the list: David Alejandro, Sofia and Karla; also Claudia Ramirez Fimbres, Marco Diaz Ochoa, Liz Ampudia, Jorge Carlos Escalante and Karla Escalante, among others.

The businessman Fernando Beltran, owns several government contracts for the train that goes from Tecate-Tijuana (and connects to the United States) and owns the water tunnel of Villar Hermosa, among several other construction contracts that had been given to him by the State administration. Fernando Beltran spoke to the local media and claimed that he has no relationship with Torres Santillan other than the fact that his wife is the cousin of Torres Santillan's wife.

Luis Torres Santillan, next to Claudia Ramirez Fimbres wife of money exchange centers owner  David Javier Espinoza

Torres Santillan is married to a lady that has the last name Fimbres, also Beltran is married to a Fimbres. Among the arrested in San Diego during the operation conducted by the DEA and ICE, there are several members of the Fimbres family arrested. Fimbres are known in Tijuana for being the owners of "Calimax" supermarket.

The operation has touched Beltran, not only through family links, but because of the old friendships that he has with several of the arrested individuals. Last December 10, he was seen at the Tijuana Airport with Javier David Espinoza when they were taking a plane to go watch Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. Beltran started his businessman career through the boxing world. Everybody says that his first good business was Erik El Terrible, Morales.

Even though the PAN politician was arrested last Friday, his friends did not notice that he was missing, because before he crossed the border he told them that he was going to assist a Golf  camp; according to Jesse Navarro. At the moment, some of the 12 arrested individuals are all ready in liberty, however the investigation continues.

Involved Individuals so far

1.- David Javier Espinoza (47 years old)(owner of money exchange centers)

2.-David Alejandro Espinoza (son, 20 years old)

3.-Sofia Espinoza (daugher, 22 years old)

4.-Karla Espinoza (daughter, 23 years old)

5.-Claudia Ramirez Fimbres (47 years old)(cousin of the wife of Fernando Beltran)

6.-Marco Diaz Ochoa (34 years old)

7.-Liz Ampudia (44 years old)(sister in law of Claudia Ramirez, detained with Luis Torres)

8.-Jorge Carlos Escalante (22 years old)

9.-Karla Verena Lamas of Escalante (47 years old, wife of the Ex-president of Coparmex)

10.-Felipe Lizarraga (65 years old)

11.-Mario Rodriguez Rivera (51 years old)

12.-Luis Torres Santillan

Karla Verena Lamas de Escalante and Jorge Carlos Escalante, are the wife and the oldest son of Jorge Escalante Martinez, ex president of Coparmex Tijuana; and they were arrested in other operation. They are accused of money laundering along with the PAN politician Luis Torres Santillan.

Karla Escalante

"The investigation continues, and there is a possibility that more individuals are involved and more chargers could be press against Luis Torres and the other individuals", said Jesse Navarro. 

Jorge Carlos Escalante

To this moment there is no information on the amount of money that was laundered or the proceeds of the money, however most the illicit activities took place in San Diego, California, and once the investigations continue, we will know if they also happened in Baja California.