Pubdate: Sun, 16 Dec 2001
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2001 The Washington Post Company
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Section: A36
Author: Mary Jordan

POLICE, EX-SOLDIERS ARRESTED IN MEXICO FOR TIES TO DRUG LORD

MEXICO CITY, Dec. 15 -- Police officers and former anti-narcotic soldiers 
were among 16 people arrested on accusations of protecting a drug lord who 
has a $2 million U.S. bounty on his head.

Anti-drug prosecutor Jose Luis Santiago, who announced the arrests Friday, 
called the soldiers and police "deserters, traitors."

The announcement is the latest sign that the money and power of Mexico's 
drug cartels continue to corrupt law enforcement.

President Vicente Fox has waged an "all-out war" on drug trafficking and 
government corruption, yet both remain rampant.

Osiel Cardenas Guillen has threatened the lives of Mexican and U.S. 
anti-drug agents and is considered one of the most violent drug lords.

He is said to be rebuilding the Gulf Cartel, once led by Amado Carrillo 
Fuentes, who died in a hospital four years ago after undergoing plastic 
surgery to disguise himself. U.S. officials have offered a $2 million 
reward for Cardenas.

The soldiers on Cardenas's payroll were until recently part of an elite 
airborne unit that tracked drug trafficking.

Along with the arrests, prosecutor Santiago announced the seizures of 21 
homes, three airplanes and a stockpile of cocaine and guns.

Mexico City officials are also fighting a rising number of kidnappings, 
most believed to involve the police.

In a dramatic example Friday night, the nephew of a former cabinet member 
was kidnapped. Two men put a gun to Cesar Carrasco's head and told him to 
drive his car. But as he drove past the headquarters of the Federal 
Preventive Police in Mexico City, he steered headlong into the building, 
crashing the car and escaping.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom