Texas: Arrest of 27 in Zetas Money Laundering Operation Which used Cadavers

6/9/2014

Chivis Martínez for Borderland Beat

In Eagle Pass Texas, Agents of the DEA arrested 27 Coahuilenses, accused of money laundering; among the detainees is Remberto Castro Pérez, son of the former mayor of Morelos, Coahuila, the Remberto Castro. [ at left]

Along with Castro are   Homero Flores and Elpidio Jordan, the three are  a group of merchants and entrepreneurs from the Coahuila town of Morelos, but residing in Texas, who belong to Zetas criminal network and were transporting  drug money from the United States to invest business in Coahuila.  They will face charges before the US Federal Court of Del Rio Texas.  

The group used various methods for the transfer money and drugs, including the ghoulish method of exploiting cadavers cavities of deceased Mexican nationals, being transported  from  Texas to  Mexico for burial.  

Yesterday Homero Flores appeared before the Federal Court of Del Rio, after being charged in Dallas with conspiracy, money laundering and other federal crimes.  

Elpidio Jordan, resided in Eagle Pass and Remberto Castro Pérez was residing in the town of Morelos, Coahuila, Mexico.  According to sources, Flores had his residence on Grand Haven Street  in the city of Eagle Pass.  He appeared yesterday morning before a judge Federal Court of Del Rio, after being arrested last weekend and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.  He also maintained a home in the city of Cibolo Texas. 

Likewise  arrested, but appearing separately , was Eagle Pass resident Elpidio Jordan, who was residing in the  Chulavista sector.   

The charges come from the city of Dallas, where they will be eventually tried in the Eastern District Court.

Money transported to Mexico was invested  in various, such as,  gas stations, hardware stores, paint stores and other businesses, mainly in Five Springs, but also in other cities, such  as the capital of Coahuila Saltillo where they planned to expand a network of gas stations. 

The Calderon administration issued a report, nearing the end of his presidency, that municipalities along its north border are 100% corrupt and in collusion with cartels. Coahuila is controlled by Zetas, having wrangled control of the state from CDG at the time of the split.  Coahuila is the home base state for Zetas.

Coahuila state attorney-PGJE- commented that the US government had not asked for their assistance.

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