Lucio R with C.E. Martinez for Borderland Beat
In a pretrial hearing Alfredo “Mochomo” Beltran Leyva looked very different that the man arrested in Mexico in 2008. As mocho entered the courtroom, he is wearing dark sunglasses, and is clean shaven, wearing federal prison garb, after losing his motion to wear street clothing during his date with justice.
He was extradited to the U.S. in 2012.
By 2007 he rose to the rank of lieutenant working directly for Arturo Beltrán Leyva. Following Arturo's death, in fighting broke out for the control of the Beltrán Leyva Cartel. One faction was led by BLO lieutenants La Barbie Valdez Villarreal and Gerardo Alvarez-Vazquez, while the other is led by Héctor Beltrán Leyva and his lieutenant, enforcer chief, La Grande.
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| La Barbie |
When Edgar “La Barbie” Valdez Villarreal, was extradited to the U.S. he raised eyebrows when he pleads guilty within a few months. For years, he vigorously fought against extradition, only to quickly enter a plea.
For years it was rumored that Valdez was a cooperative witness for Mexico, even prior to his capture. Villareal denied this
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allegation, even writing a letter to the public via Reforma Magazine stating his case.
It was revealed in pretrial hearings, Valdez will be one of the cooperative witnesses who will testify against the man he once worked for.
Valdez is suspected of giving up information to Mexican authorities which resulted in the massive shootout and death of Beltran Leyva Organization’s leader, and Valdez’ boss. Supposedly this was so Valdez could take over the organization. He himself was arrested in 2010 and extradited in September 2015.
Valdez is suspected of giving up information to Mexican authorities which resulted in the massive shootout and death of Beltran Leyva Organization’s leader, and Valdez’ boss. Supposedly this was so Valdez could take over the organization. He himself was arrested in 2010 and extradited in September 2015.
Other notables who will testify against Mochomo is Jesus “El Rey” Zamabada, the brother of Sinalo
a premier leader, Ismael Zambada García, aka “El Mayo, and partner of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera.
At the time of his 2008 arrest El Rey was considered one of the 4 leaders of Sinaloa’s Pacific Cartel. and one of the leading sources of cocaine and methamphetamine from South America.
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| El Rey |
At the time of his 2008 arrest El Rey was considered one of the 4 leaders of Sinaloa’s Pacific Cartel. and one of the leading sources of cocaine and methamphetamine from South America.
He was extradited to the U.S. in 2012.
Sergio Enrique Villarreal Barragán, a.k.a. El Grande, is also a state’s witness against El Mochomo.
El Grande was once with Los Zetas/CDG but left to join BLO while BLO was still allied with the Sinaloa Cartel.
El Grande was once with Los Zetas/CDG but left to join BLO while BLO was still allied with the Sinaloa Cartel.
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| El Grande |
Another witness is Harold Mauricio Poveda Ortega aka “El Conejo” a Colombian national, allegedly was the largest supplier of cocaine to the Beltrán Leyva cartel.
It would appear the United States is giving up way too much in its deals to convict Mochomo. Perhaps it is because they have little evidence against Mochomo, but it makes little sense after years of investigative work, intelligence and tax payers money, in the end but one leader is brought to trial.
A Status Conference is scheduled for Friday, February 12, 2016, at 3:00 PM, and trial is scheduled for next Tuesday the 16th.
Material from Pacer, Reforma and Borderland Beat archives
Additional reading: Mochomo Trial begins Feb 16th
The U.S. case against El Mochomo
Judge put the lid on names of cooperative witnesses in Mochomo case
It would appear the United States is giving up way too much in its deals to convict Mochomo. Perhaps it is because they have little evidence against Mochomo, but it makes little sense after years of investigative work, intelligence and tax payers money, in the end but one leader is brought to trial.
A Status Conference is scheduled for Friday, February 12, 2016, at 3:00 PM, and trial is scheduled for next Tuesday the 16th.
Material from Pacer, Reforma and Borderland Beat archives
Additional reading: Mochomo Trial begins Feb 16th
The U.S. case against El Mochomo
Judge put the lid on names of cooperative witnesses in Mochomo case