Pubdate: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 Source: Brownsville Herald, The (TX) Copyright: 2003 The Brownsville Herald Contact: http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1402 Author: Kevin Garcia, Alison Beshur And Angeles Negrete Lares Note: The Associated Press contributed to this report. OFFICIALS DEBATE SIGNIFICANCE OF CARDENAS ARREST Update: Soldiers Arrest Two More Cartel Agents; Raid Planned Late Saturday. BROWNSVILLE, March 16, 2003 -- The arrest of Osiel Cardenas Guillen, the suspected kingpin of the Gulf Cartel, has been touted as a significant blow against drug traffickers by agencies on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. But those comments haven't put everyone at ease. Despite Friday's shootout in Matamoros that led to Cardenas' apprehension, some border residents believe more arrests are needed to stop the violence that mars the region. For the past 60 years, 89-year-old Julia Monsees and her family have owned a piece of land on the southern edge of Brownsville -- 30 acres along the Rio Grande. Ever since the drug traffic began to increase in the 1960s, she said her land has become a popular entry point for smugglers. That's why she never leaves the house without a 9-mm handgun. "We've had a war out here for 15 years," said Monsees, who claims he has had multiple confrontations with drug smugglers during that time. "You think this is all a fairy tale until you see it." And while the arrest of Cardenas is significant, Monsees predicts it's not the last battle in the war on drugs. "It's going to make a dent, but he's not the official in charge," she said, adding that there could always be another kingpin. That may be true, but Mexican officials are still attempting to free the region of drugs one arrest at a time. During a special operation Saturday morning in Matamoros, officials with the Mexican Attorney General's Office arrested Alfonso Adrian Vazquez and Alberto Pena Briones -- both suspected members of Cardenas' cartel. Officials also made several seizures, including four Suburbans, 785 rounds of semiautomatic ammunition intended for AK-47s and R15 rifles, four grenades, 15 bullet-proof vests and other assault equipment found at a house near the intersection of Leo Street and Avenida del Nino. The two men were charged with carrying weapons specifically made for the Mexican Army. And at press time, The Brownsville Herald learned that Mexican soldiers were planning a Saturday night raid on a Reynosa colonia called Las Arboleras. Officials, who would not disclose how many soldiers are involved, said they suspect more than 10 cartel members are hiding out in the colonia. Although pleased with the progress, Mexican officials realize dangers still exist. Cardenas' remaining cartel is estimated at about 300 members, which could prompt a widespread struggle for power that may erupt in more street violence. "These cartels have changed, they have fragmented, they have become more rationalized in some aspects," Mexican Defense Secretary Gen. Gerardo Vega said. "Obviously, this makes it harder to detect who their leaders are." The capture of Cardenas, whose cartel was so powerful it enlisted dozens of police as bodyguards, was also good news to American officials. The drug lord, nicknamed "El Loco," was suspected of smuggling large amounts of narcotics into the U.S. as well as kidnapping drug enforcement agents. "Taking out the head of the organization is a major blow," said Xavier Rios, spokesman for the U.S. Border Patrol, McAllen Sector. But like Monsees, Rios admits the war is far from over. He noted that the McAllen Sector, which covers all of South Texas, handles more marijuana and cocaine busts than any of the other 20 Border Patrol sectors in the nation. He's not sure how Cardenas' arrest might affect that drug flow. "We've seen a decrease of the narcotics seized over the last few years," Rios said, "and we hope that trend continues to show a decrease." Changes have not been that apparent for Monsees, who said marijuana and other drugs have been coming through her land for years. She said drug traffic has gotten so bad that agents nicknamed her street "Mary Jane Lane" decades ago, and she still refers to it as "Marijuana Boulevard." "This is not fun and games; this is real out here," Monsees said. "It's always going on, day and night." - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk