BREAKING: Multiple Ranches In Laredo, TX Taken Over By Mexican Drug Cartel

UPDATE - THIS STORY IS BULLSHIT!!!


See our foolishness below the fold.




Is our government, at all, capable of protecting it's citizens?

The bloodbath continues along our southern border and now word is coming in that Los Zetas, the highly trained killers formerly with the Gulf Cartel, have crossed into the United States and taken over at least two ranches in the Laredo, Texas area. I am receiving word that the owners of the ranches have evacuated without being harmed. The source is law enforcement in the area.
(Update 2 story is now 100% confirmed by second source within the Laredo Police Department)
Founder of the San Diego Minutemen Jeff Schwilk tipped me off to this story and passes along the following information on the location. The ranches are said to be "near Mines Rd. and Minerales Annex Rd about 10 miles NW of I-35".
Update 1 (Statement from Mr. Schwilk)

I can personally vouch that this info came in late last night from a reliable police source inside the Laredo PD. There is currently a standoff between the unknown size Zeta forces and U.S. Border Patrol and local law enforcement on two ranches on our side of the Rio Grande. The source tells us he considers this an "act of war" and that the military is needed on the border now!

Kimberly Dvorak at the Examiner has also confirmed the story
(Update 3: For those doubting the confirmation, I stand firmly behind Kimberly, but I have put together more on the confirmation and why this story truly matters at: "Why The Los Zetas Ranch Story Matters - Confirmation And Why A Media Blackout?". There are three confirmed sources within law enforcement.)
Whether it is lone members or squads is not certain.
Anonymous sources in law enforcement in the Laredo area tonight have passed on word that US law enforcement agencies are in the area and are weighing their options regarding the ranches. The media has been silent on this incident and some law enforcement in the area say that they are furious that the media is not reporting the whole story of the continued violence along the border. Their frustrations are understandable because keeping the truth suppressed continues to hamper law enforcement from receiving the true support they need along the border.
The ranch assaults come on the heels of attacks in Nuevo Laredo that shut the city down as a gun-battle raged in the streets. Los Zetas blocked off intersections with vehicles and used fragmentation grenades to attack Mexican law enforcement. In the end 12 were killed and 21 injured in the assaults. Citizens in the area were told to stay in their homes and bullets whizzed all around.
Cypress Times

The U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo had posted warnings on its website hours before the gunfire was reported by Texas citizens, “We have received credible reports of widespread violence occurring now between narcotics-trafficking organizations and the Mexican army in Nuevo Laredo.” The U.S. Consulate went on to say, “The consulate confirmed that fragmentation grenades were used in the attacks and that suspected drug-gang members had blocked several roads, adding that it advised ‘all U.S. citizens in Nuevo Laredo to remain indoors until the security situation improves.’”

US Citizens in Laredo called 911 after hearing gunfire and explosions just across the border. Laredo police spokesman Joe Baeza deflected the concerns of citizens with what I see as utter contempt. He said there was no spillover violence onto the US side and "We were getting reports from people who live on the river's edge that they could hear gunfire and explosions from the Mexico side," Baeza said, "We didn't have any incidents on the American side. It's hard for people to understand who don't live here ... They're not Vikings, they're not going to invade us, it doesn't work that way."
This was said just a day before the reported breaking news on the ranches being taken above.
Violence has been on the rise along the border. In April 2010 a Border Patrol agent in Laredo shot and killed an lllegal alien drug smuggler near the Rio Grande

Los Zetas

The Los Zetas are highly trained killers initially trained by United States Special Operations forces to combat the drug cartels within Mexico. As the drug war heated up the Zetas saw more money in working for the cartels and joined up with the Gulf Cartel.
In March, 2010 there was a fracture between the Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel when a Zetas leader was said to have been assassinated by the Gulf Cartel. They demanded that the killer be turned over to them. When the Gulf Cartel refused the Zetas captured 16 Gulf Cartel members.
Since March Los Zetas abandoned their stronghold in Reynosa and moved to Nuevo Laredo, just across from the border with Laredo, Texas. There are estimated to be over 1,000 Zeta members there.

Midnight Rider adding to the story, although some info maybe older than Pastorius':

from Death by a Thousand Papercuts:

Mexican Drug Cartels Seize Texas Ranches: No Official Verification, Location Near International Bridge, News the Press Hasn’t Reported
July 25, 2010
By LBG1
State Dept. ordered family members of U.S. Consulate employees along Mexican border to leave Mexico, July 15

While there’s still no official verification two South Texas ranches near Laredo were seized by members of the Mexican drug cartel, Los Zetas, with American authorities engaged in an operation or “standoff” with the Mexican drug cartel, we’ve discovered several details which we believe are relevant to this story.

We found news which was reported on the internet related to Mexican drug cartels and the federal government. News which came in the form of an announcement from the DEA, Attorney General Eric Holder, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The announcement:

WASHINGTON – / N2N /- Assistant Secretary John Morton of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Attorney General Eric Holder, acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and
Assistant Director Kevin L. Perkins of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division
announced the arrest of more than 2,200 individuals on narcotics-related charges
in the United States and the seizure of more than 74.1 tons of illegal drugs as
part of a 22-month, multi-agency law enforcement investigation known as “Project
Deliverance.”

On June 9, 429 individuals in 16 states were arrested as part of Project Deliverance, which targeted the transportation infrastructure of Mexican drug trafficking organizations in the United States, especially along the Southwest border, through coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement. More than 3,000 agents and officers operated across the United States to make the arrests. Law enforcement agents also seized $5.8 million in U.S. currency, 2,951 pounds of marijuana, 112 kilograms of cocaine, 17 pounds of methamphetamine, 141 weapons and 85 vehicles.

What’s important to note about the ICE, DEA, and Attorney General’s Office announcement is that the public learned of the thousands of arrests and numerous seizures after the fact, and, not from the press.

A few details about what is allegedly occurring along the border west-northwest of Laredo:

According to the site Diggers Realm, they were given the tip about the story from Jeff Schwilk, founder of the San Diego Minutemen. Diggers Realm reported they’d confirmed the story from a second source within the Laredo Police Department.

When we contacted the Laredo Police Department earlier this evening, the spokesperson for the Chief of Police wouldn’t deny or confirm the story, telling DBKP:

“We have been advised to say nothing. The Webb County Sheriff is taking the lead
on this and they’re advising that they can’t confirm anything either.”
Laredo Police Department Spokesperson

According to an article published by Examiner.com’s Kimberly Dvorak, a highly reputable reporter, Dvorak confirmed the story using three separate sources in “law enforcement” including one at the scene who Dvorak quoted as saying “We consider this an act of war”.

Dvorak:

Word broke late last night that Laredo police have requested help from the federal government regarding the incursion by the Los Zetas. It appears that the ranch owners have escaped without incident but their ranches remain in the hands of the blood thirsty cartels.

Laredo Border Patrol is conducting aerial surveillance over the ranches to determine the best way to regain control of the U.S. ranches, according to the Laredo Police department.

The approximate location of the U.S. ranches are10 miles northwest of I-35 off Mines Road and Minerales Annex Road. Just off 1472 (Mines road) near Santa Isabel Creek north of the city of Laredo, Texas.

much more below fold
While everyone is waiting for verification from official sources whether a Mexican cartel seized two South Texas ranches, we’ve discovered other news related to the area, including the international bridge located nine miles from the purported vicinity of where the two Texas ranches were allegedly seized by members of the Los Zetas drug cartel. According to a travel web site, Flight Stats, on July 20th the U.S. Consulate issued a travel warning relating to the bridge.

U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo released the following Warden Message on
July 20, 2010:

The U.S. Consulate General advises all U.S. Citizens in the area that all American employees of the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo are currently prohibited from transiting Highway 2 (Riberena) east of Nuevo Laredo between the Mexican Federal Highway 85 (Carretera Nacional)cloverleaf and Reynosa, and also west of Nuevo Laredo between the Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge and Ciudad Acuna due to ongoing concerns of violence along this highway. U.S. citizens should consider alternate routes or delaying travel on this section of road.

On July 16th, this bit of news relating to Nuevo Laredo was reported by the U.S Government Consulate website:

July 16, 2010

Warden Message

We have received credible reports of widespread violence occurring now between narcotics trafficking organizations and the Mexican Army in Nuevo Laredo. We have credible reports of grenades being used. The narcotics traffickers have reportedly blocked at least one major avenue, Lopez de Lara, and are carjacking vehicles. Other roads may also be blocked by narcotics traffickers.

We advise all U.S. citizens in Nuevo Laredo to remain indoors until the security situation improves.

The U.S Government Consulate website where everyone reads the news (sarcasm) reported on July 21st:

July 21, 2010

Warden Message July 21, 2010
Urgent: Reports of Gun
Battles in Nuevo Laredo

The U.S. Consulate General has received reports of ongoing gun battles near the International Bridge 2 in the Colonia Victoria and Viveros areas of town. There are reports of the gun battles now moving into other parts of the city at this time and all U.S. citizens are advised to shelter in place until further notice.

Another Travel Warning, this time from the State Department prohibiting U.S. Mission employees and their families from traveling by vehicle into Mexico.

Part of the warning included the news our government had authorized the departure of family members of U.S. government personnel from U.S. Consulates in the northern Mexico border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros. In short, our government ordered family members of U.S. government personnel from U.S. Consulates along the border of Mexico to leave Mexico.

July 15 – Warden Message – Travel Warning

Warden Message – July 15

The Department of State has issued a revised Travel Warning for Mexico.
The Travel Warning includes reference to a change in the previously-announced
restriction on cross-border travel by U.S. Mission personnel.

Effective July 15, 2010, Mission employees and their families may not travel by vehicle across the U.S.-Mexico border on official travel to or from any post in the
interior of Mexico due to security concerns on roads leading to and from that
area. U.S. citizens are urged to read the entire Travel Warning that follows
below.

And,

July 15, 2010

The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the security situation in Mexico, and to advise that the authorized departure of family members of U.S. government personnel from U.S. Consulates in the northern Mexico border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros has been extended. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated May 6, 2010 to note the extension of authorized departure and to update guidance on security conditions and crime.

On July 23rd, CNN reported part of the travel warning including:

State Department renews travel warning to Mexico

In addition, the authorized departure of family members of U.S. government
personnel from consulates in the cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez,
Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros remains in place.

CNN reported the travel warning and the authorized departure of family members of U.S. government personnel from U.S. Consulates. While CNN published the warning they didn’t focus on the authorized departure of family members. Should CNN have pointed out, in their report, family members of U.S. government personnel were, essentially, ordered to leave Mexico?

More news from the State Department:

Much of the country’s narcotics-related violence has occurred in the northern
border region. For example, since 2006, three times as many people have been
murdered in Ciudad Juarez, in the state of Chihuahua, across from El Paso,
Texas, than in any other city in Mexico. More than half of all Americans killed
in Mexico in FY 2009 whose deaths were reported to the U.S. Embassy were killed
in the border cities of Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana. The situation in northern
Mexico remains fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements cannot
be predicted. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise extreme caution when traveling
throughout the region, particularly in those areas specifically mentioned in
this Travel Warning. Since 2006, large firefights have taken place in towns and
cities in many parts of Mexico, often in broad daylight on streets and other
public venues. Such firefights have occurred mostly in northern Mexico,
including Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Chihuahua City, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, Piedras
Negras, Reynosa, Matamoros and Monterrey. Firefights have also occurred in
Nayarit, Jalisco and Colima. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have
been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area.

For info on the Feds investigation of Mexican military helicopters sighted near Laredo on the American side of the border see Mexican Drug Cartel Seize Texas Ranches; Laredo Police: We Can’t Say Anything!.

For info on the discovery of Mexican drug cartels operating para-military training camps “just a few miles” from the Texas border” near the location of the alleged Mexican drug cartel seizes Texas ranches see Mexican Drug Cartel Seizes Two Texas Ranches: 2005 Department of Justice Intelligence Bulletin Warned Local Authorities in CA, AZ about Los Zetas Drug Cartel.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Laredo Times reports what it knows accurately, Officials know nothing of rumored Zeta standoff on Mines Road.

But Investigator Jose E. Baeza, LPD spokesman, said he had not heard anything
about the incident. Also, an LPD sergeant, who was on duty as a watch commander
Saturday afternoon, said she had not heard anything about it either.

At about 4:30 p.m., Maru De La Paz, spokeswoman for Webb County Sheriff’s Office, wrote that the report about Zetas taking over ranches in Laredo is not confirmed.

This turned into The Laredo Morning Times dumps all over this false alarm as well. Readers can read the LT article and decide for themselves.

In addition, the -ER* Corollary to Godwin’s Law has now been officially invoked to tamp down discussion, with the addition of “Laredo Truthers” being trotted out less than 24 hours after the first report was published.

* – That is, add “-er” to the issue at hand (truther, birther) and you trump your opponent by rendering his argument irredeemable.

As we’ve noted, we are not outside of Laredo ourselves, but the story most certainly is not disproved, for many of the reasons listed below.

LATE ADDITION: From the link above:

If there is any truth at all to this story, there will be several simple, easily
discoverable facts.

* What are the names and exact addresses of the ranches that were taken over?
* What are the names of the ranchers and families that were displaced?

Which are all good points–which we’ll report when and if available. As we will report if the story is a hoax.

Kimberly Dvorak, Examiner: Los Zetas drug cartel seizes 2 U.S. ranches in Texas takes the lead in this story, absent evidence to the contrary.

Pat Dollard: 4 NEW SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATES – Breaking, Urgent, Reports: INSURGENTS SEIZE TWO RANCHES IN LAREDO, TEXAS

Kimberly is adamantly standing by her story, and gave me the name of one of her
three sources inside both the Laredo Police and Webb County Sheriff’s
Departments. She says two of those sources not only confirmed the story of the
ranches being seized, but elaborated in great detail on what was happening. She
also has other sources on the ground, non-law enforcement. She is mid-stream in
developing and further reporting the whole story, and has reason reason to
believe that law enforcement is in mid-operation on the ranches, and do not want
that operation interrupted with publicity before they are finished.

Given the shootout that occurred on the 22nd, it would also make some
sense that the ranches were simply occupied as safe havens by retreating Zeta
gunman.

WHAT WE KNOW FOR SURE:

* A few people are reporting this story and are standing by their sources. We are inclined to stand by those people as we’ve found them to be trustworthy in the past. We don’t know their sources, but trust their judgment.

* Very little specifics are known outside of the reported location, which is shown on the maps above. The area is approximately 9 miles from the Columbia Solidarity International Bridge. There has been an alert of cartel violence in that area before this story.

* A lockdown across the river in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, has resulted from the Mexican military’s clashes with reportedly up to 1000 members of Los Zetas. Clashes featuring automatic weapons, grenades and a variety of other weapons have been reported in the media and the U.S. Consulate advised Americans to stay indoors and not to attempt to come to see them.

* It’s been reported that most Mexican businesses in Nuevo Laredo remained closed Saturday due to fears from the escalating violence.

* We know that in multiple phone conversations with police and others in Laredo yesterday, we were not told that this story did not happen. We did get plenty of “can’t confirm.”

* We have no pictures and have talked to no one who has an eye witness account of events that may or may not have happened.

* We have been told by several sources to expect more news on this story today.

* No new wire has reported this story; however, wire stories are generally generated from a local source. The local source, the Laredo Morning Times, has reported that local police have said they either “have not heard” or “can’t confirm” the story.

That’s where we stand until more information comes in, either to prove or disprove the story.