Borderland Beat
In his statements to authorities, Villanueva said that the profits obtained, he personally handed to Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano, the Lazca'''
Mexican authorities today presented to journalists the detained Gregorio Villanueva Salas, known as "piracy czar", alleged member of Los Zetas cartel and charged with several grenade attacks .
A statement was read during the perp presentation by a SEDENA spokesman Colonel Ricardo Trevill. The statement reported that Villanueva was arrested by soldiers on June 11th in the city of Monterrey, along with three other members of his gang, who were also presented to the press. An that Villanueva was "one of the main operators" Los Zetas.
Zetas are known for their extreme brutality in their treatment towards their victims.
According to the source, the detainee controlled production and distribution of pirate discs in the states of Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila and Nuevo Laredo on the border with the United States.
In his statements to the authorities Villanueva said that the profits obtained were personally handed to Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano, "the Lazca", considered the leader of Los Zetas. With the arrest of Villanueva, the statement said, "it shortens the flow of resources for the criminal organization .
" The drug cartels in Mexico have for years been moving away from drugs as their only revenue as they extend its activities to commit crimes such as kidnapping, extortion and piracy. Trevilla, reading the joint statement from the Department of Defense and the Attorney General's Office (PGR) said Villanueva is allegedly responsible for an undetermined number of attacks on schools, businesses, media and military installations.
in the northern city of Matamoros, these actions, according to the same source, they focused on cities such as Matamoros to "create a climate of violence" and "affect the activities" of a rival organized crime group, the Gulf Cartel.
According to their statements to the authorities, Villanueva said that the bodies found on June 7 Tamaulipas, in the north east Mexico, were members of Los Zetas who were murdered by the Gulf Cartel "in retaliation for their involvement in attacks with grenades".
Along with Villanueva were arrested Rodolfo Cornejo Chan, Christian Gonzalez Miguel Navarrete Ruben Dario Martinez and Alvarado. During the arrest of the group, the military seized four rifles (including a submachine gun), a handgun, ammunition, six vehicles and about 291 thousand pesos in cash.
The detainees will be prosecuted for the crimes of organized crime , violation of the Firearms Act, illegal resource operations and unlawful use of copyrighted material.
Sources: Notimex and Informador