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Savage Figure Lurks Behind Tijuana Killings

Mexican officials fear even posting Garcia Simental's photo

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Dec 18, 2008 1:09 PM CST

(Newser) – Many of the charred and maimed victims of Tijuana’s recent drug violence bear one similarity: the three-letter marker of Teo Garcia Simental, a shadowy crime boss authorities fear too much to hunt, the Los Angeles Times reports. A kidnapper and extortionist, Garcia operates a network that keeps victims caged until he’s ready to fry them in vats of chemicals, his preferred method of murder.

Little is known about the chubby-cheeked, mid-30s Garcia beside his affinity for clandestine horse races and sadistic killing tactics. His rise resulted from Mexico’s drug crackdown, which sent cartels splintering. Thousands of police have failed to find him, though he adeptly tracks and targets them. “There’s no future” in being the brave soul to hunt Garcia, one officer says.

Agents and relatives stand by three coffins containing the bodies of slain state prosecutors during a group funeral in Tijuana last month.
Agents and relatives stand by three coffins containing the bodies of slain state prosecutors during a group funeral in Tijuana last month.   (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)
A Mexican soldier stands guard outside a police station where authorities were presenting to the press three suspects of murdering two policemen recently in Tijuana.
A Mexican soldier stands guard outside a police station where authorities were presenting to the press three suspects of murdering two policemen recently in Tijuana.   (AP Photo)
Three murder suspects are held inside a cell at a police station after being presented to the press in Tijuana in October.
Three murder suspects are held inside a cell at a police station after being presented to the press in Tijuana in October.   (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)
A man rides his bike next to the place where six charred bodies were found in Tijuana. The violence was sparked when Garcia split with the drug cartel head.
A man rides his bike next to the place where six charred bodies were found in Tijuana. The violence was sparked when Garcia split with the drug cartel head.   (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)
The Los Angeles Times says this image, from the FBI's narctip.com, is Mexican crime boss Teodoro Garcia Simental.
The Los Angeles Times says this image, from the FBI's narctip.com, is Mexican crime boss Teodoro Garcia Simental.   (FBI)
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Your status is based on your capacity to commit the most sadistic acts. Burning corpses, using acid, beheading victims. ... This generation is setting a new standard for savagery - Anonymous Mexican official

In Tijuana, I rule. We'll show you what a real war is like.
- Anonymous ballad thought to be a message from Garcia

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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
sailor86
Apr 7, 2009 1:00 AM CDT
Okay, Decision time. We went overseas not once, not twice, but many times to confront the bully. What's going on next door is getting pretty worrisome. I really wish Mexico could control their criminals a little better.
Zebraone
Dec 18, 2008 7:14 PM CST
It's amazing that this SOB is allowed to live!~~~~Whats the matter with the world, that it allows a phrique to live~~~
 

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