Borderland Beat
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The following information was compiled by Borderland Beat forum poster Itzli. We have many Tamaulipas readers who request Tamps material so I thought this would be appreciated and I am sure corrections and additions will be sent in.
Unfortunately, there has been a narco news blackout in Tamps since 2010, typically sources on the ground and social media have been used to glean information of situations, events that occurred and SDR’s. Unfortunately, social media is also a breeding ground for baseless rumors that spread and become “fact”. It is an extremely difficult situation for reporting, in an explosive region.
Unfortunately, there has been a narco news blackout in Tamps since 2010, typically sources on the ground and social media have been used to glean information of situations, events that occurred and SDR’s. Unfortunately, social media is also a breeding ground for baseless rumors that spread and become “fact”. It is an extremely difficult situation for reporting, in an explosive region.
Tamaulipas Most Wanted List
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LOS ZETAS
Omar Treviño Morales "Z42" (is headquartered in Coahuila)
Sergio Ricardo Basurto Peña " El Grande” (Nuevo Laredo)
Maxiley Nadales Barahona "El Max/Z-19" ( works in Veracruz, Chiapas and Tabasco)
CARTEL DEL GOLFO (CDG)
José Antonio Romo López" La Hamburguesa" - Ciudad Mier
Juan Carlos de la Cruz Moctezuma "El Chuma" - Miguel Alemán
José Ismael Mendoza Falcón"Polimenso" - Frontera Chica
"El Comandante Paquito"- Reynosa
Juan Manuel Rodríguez García"Juan Perros" - Río Bravo.
Carlos González Escobar"Carlitos Whiskies"- Nuevo Progreso
Eduardo Ismael Flores Borrego"El Negro" - Valle Hermoso.
Juan Francisco Saenz Tamez"El Metro 103" - head of sicarios.
"El Orejón/Ciclón 7"- Matamoros
By Itzli April 7th
I begin by providing a brief recap and summary of information found elsewhere in other threads. The general consensus late last year was that the Gulf Cartel was divided into three major factions. Based out of Reynosa, the Metro faction was headed by X20. Based out of Matamoros, the Ciclones faction was headed by Homero Cardenas. Based out of Tampico, the CDG Sur faction was headed by K14. There was tension and outright conflict between Los Metros and Los Ciclones, while CDG Sur was aligned with Matamoros.
Within Los Metros there were conflicts between competing cells. X20 conducted a purge of those aligned with El Gringo, though X20 himself would later be arrested. Afterwards, conflict was predicted as a number of individuals seemed poised to compete for the leadership, yet things seemed to remain calm. Last week saw the arrest of El Simple, who was a member of Los Metros, though his power within the group is debated.
Within Los Ciclones, it was speculated that Homero was gradually consolidating power within the Gulf Cartel as a whole. Yet recent reports indicate that he suffered a medical setback last November which led to him being hospitalized. Rumors of his death have surfaced, as well as reports that Los Ciclones have been investigating if Los Metros had a hand in it.
Within CDG Sur, reports of extortion and kidnappings increased in Tampico and K14 was directly blamed. He would eventually be arrested as a result of betrayal by his own faction. A number of potential replacements were heard, but it appeared El Wuasa, a native of Matamoros took over, only to be executed by his followers and members of his family were killed and kidnapped at his funeral.
The Emerging Conflict
Over the weekend, a number of shootouts and killings occurred in Tampico. On the surface it would appear that it is the fallout of the death of El Wuasa as members seek revenge or to gain power. Yet there seems to be more going on and it appears that those acting in the conflict are pawns of an increasing conflict between Los Metros and Los Ciclones.
As best I can piece together based upon information on Valor por Tamaulipas, the struggle in Tampico on the surface the axis of power is shifting from the urban zone to the rural zone.
In Tampico there is a group called Los Jimmy, founded by Comandante Jimmy who was executed or killed in Reynosa some time ago. Members of the group have a call sign using the initial J followed by a number. After Comandante Jimmy's death, El Chive, also known as J2, took control of the group along with his brother, El Tony, also known as J3.
They have been in charge of stealing from pipelines in the area and have gained power since the fall of K14 and the death of La Wuasa. They have put in place another member of their group; some say El Guason, also known as J16, has been put in charge of Tampico, while others say it is El Chema. Regardless, it seems that Los Jimmy's are receiving support from Comandante Cortez, reportedly a high ranking member of Los Metros. Other CDG Sur groups are aligned with Los Jimmy: Grupo Escorpion of Lazaro and Grupo Michelin of "Gordo May".
Los Jimmy are fighting to wipe out Arturo "El Sheyla/Sheila" Garza Treviño, provoking conflicts in Tampico and Ciudad Madero. "El Sheyla" was trained in Sinaloa by former soldiers and had previously worked under "El Coss" and "El Sierra" before working under "K14". He has been in charge of the war, alongside Los K, against Los Zetas in Tampico since 2010 and was the creator of Grupo Dragon. He currently is backed by Los Ciclones of Matamoros.
It appears that Tampico is now a proxy fight between Los Metros and Los Ciclones.
Most wanted list is from 24 Horas
Most wanted list is from 24 Horas