Beltran-Leyva gunmen execute financial operator de "El Lic"
In a familiar scene, three bodies lay, crumpled under the weight of the bullets, buried in their flesh, life draining from the wounds, blood, seeping onto the pavement under the dusk of San Pedro De Garza, Nuevo Leon. An enclave of affluence, and prosperity, and the occasional boss, led away in handcuffs, from his modern decor styled home, like Omar Trevino, Z42, two years ago.
San Pedro de Garza has long been a strong hold of the Beltran-Leyva rememants, and associates. The three gunmen convicted last year in Texas, for the daylight execution of a Gulf Cartel lawyer, associate turned cooperator were former and current police officers of San Pedro. They served an elusive Beltran-Leyva cell leader named "El Gato", seeking revenge for the killing of his father, decades earlier. That night, at La Unica bar, three men sat, assumedly drank, for that is what one does in bars, talked business, or pleasure, talked amongst themselves, or with women, for what was the last time. Michael Raciel Almela Martinez, 46, a native of Mexico City, and disguised himself as an engineer, with residences in Mexico City, and a business in San Pedro de Garza, was said to be Damaso Lopez's point man for money laundering logistics since last February.
Jose Herrera Aispuro, former director of faculty at University Autonomous of Sinaloa (UAS), and Carlos Sanchez Pilego Mirer, a lawyer, were also killed. Three men of some stature, privilege, power, sipped their last drinks together, before walking out into the parking light, for one eventually has to leave the bar, metaphorical or not.
The gunmen, arrived in three vehicles. They executed the three as they stood in the parking lot, and left. No one had much to say. A "hawk" captured days later admitted to authorities he had passed the word to his superiors. Spotted by a bartender, a woman at the bar, a taxi driver, a street vendor, and given up to the higher powers of San Pedro De Garza. If anywhere could still be considered a Beltran-Leyva occupied area, it would be San Pedro De Garza.
Hector Beltran Leyva fights extradition, his brother Carlos Beltran-Leyva has languished in prison since December 2009, detained days after Arturo was killed. Alfredo contemplates existence, appeals, and his family, as he wakes up on dozens of days into a life sentence, years into a life of incarceration. Chapo Isidro is said to operate in the state, and hasn't been heard from in years. Tito Beltran-Leyva was arrested in Jalisco, and has yet to regain his freedom. El Dos Mil was detained in Hermosillo years ago.
Their family dynasty, like others, has been left for dead, left in prison, left behind, as the years, the enemies, the authorities take their toll. Collect their due. In San Pedro De Garza they remain. There's still enough power to take the lives of Sinaloa affiliates, who sat in a bar, ordered their drinks. Walked into the parking lot, and were left there.
That night, in the traditional business attire, white shirt, tucked into slacks, business casual, the three men spoke their last words, their last plans, their last wash of money, complaint about business, love of family, there is nothing left. They paid the bill and walked out. Everyone usually pays a bill. In a luxury Mexico City highrise, the cuffs tighten your wrist, but not too tight, and here in San Pedro De Garza, blood, urine, run down the slacks of a businessman, said to launder money for Damaso Lopez. Bills paid. Bills owed.
Sources: El Norte, Zeta Tijuana.