Another Judge Stops the Release of Gulf Cartel Leader 'La Kena'

"Morogris" for Borderland Beat

This is a continuation of yesterday’s story covering the release order, which you can read here.

Jose Alberto Garcia Vilano, alias La Kena or Ciclon 19, will remain behind bars after he was nearly released a few hours ago

Following a Tamaulipas judge's order for the release of Gulf Cartel kingpin José Alberto García Vilano, known as La Kena or Ciclón 19 several hours ago, another judge in the same state has blocked his release by filing formal charges against La Kena for kidnapping.

The hearing was conducted with La Kena participating via videoconference from the Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 1 (Altiplano), where he is currently incarcerated.

According to Tamaulipas state authorities, the judge concurred that the evidence presented by Mexico's Attorney General's Office (FGR) was valid. Investigators mentioned that they have an additional three months to build a more comprehensive case against La Kena through a superseding investigation.

During this period, prosecutors aim to gather additional evidence, potentially leading to charges for the ones that were initially considered invalid in the recent hearing, which almost resulted in his release.

The kidnapping charges against La Kena may be related to either the abduction of four Americans in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, on March 3, 2023, or the suspected involvement in planning the kidnapping of 31 migrants near Matamoros.

Why Was La Kena Arrested and Then Nearly Released?

La Kena was apprehended on January 18 at a shopping center in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León. The FGR accused him of participating in organized crime related to drug trafficking activities and for illegal possession of firearms. 

However, Crescencio Contreras Martínez, a federal judge in Reynosa, invalidated his detainee status and ordered his release after not finding enough evidence for the charges.

The case unraveled when officials discovered a driver's license bearing the name Jose Alberto Garcia (La Kena's name) at one of the properties seized in the days following the arrest. The FGR pressed charges using this ID card, unaware that it was a fake.

Moreover, they claimed before the judge that the address on the card was La Kena's residence, despite it being untrue. The judge expressed dissatisfaction with the FGR's handling of the case, emphasizing that they should have verified this information through cross-checks and a comprehensive investigation.

The Ministry of the Interior submitted a request for the impeachment (juicio político in Mexico) of Contreras Martinez to the Chamber of Deputies.

Sources: Milenio; Borderland Beat Archives