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Mexican Drug Informants Import Violence to US

Intra-cartel murder shocks El Paso; feds gave trafficker visa

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 27, 2009 5:03 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Obama administration and state governments are spending billions to keep Mexico's escalating drug war from spilling over the border. But the feds fighting trafficking have also relied on Mexican cartel members for intelligence—and that, says the Washington Post, has unleashed gangland-style violence in American cities. Drug kingpins living in the US, often with connections to American law enforcement, are both victims of violence and killers themselves.

In one case, a trafficker from the deadly Juarez cartel was set up with a US visa and lived in a $365,000 house in El Paso with his wife and children before he was killed execution-style on his front lawn. Texas police spoke to a possible informer recommended by the feds—but he turned out to have ordered the killing, which was carried out by American teens. "So this is how these people end up in our country," says a detective. "We bring them here."

A blood stain is visible on the pavement where Jose Daniel Gonzalez was shot in  May in front of his home in El Paso, Texas.
A blood stain is visible on the pavement where Jose Daniel Gonzalez was shot in May in front of his home in El Paso, Texas.   (AP Photo/Alicia Caldwell)
Jose Daniel Gonzalez, a Juarez cartel lieutenant who was shot on his quiet El Paso cul-de-sac, was working for US officials as a confidential informant.
Jose Daniel Gonzalez, a Juarez cartel lieutenant who was shot on his quiet El Paso cul-de-sac, was working for US officials as a confidential informant.   (AP Photo/Crime Stoppers, El Paso)
Gonzalez's killer was also from the Juarez cartel and was himself a federal informant.
Gonzalez's killer was also from the Juarez cartel and was himself a federal informant.   (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
BeatBlaster
Aug 30, 2009 2:20 AM CDT
FYI - English is NOT the official language of the United States of America. This talk of "learn our language or leave" is the least tolerable approach I've ever heard of and we're supposed to be the country of tolerance.
Spudsy
Aug 28, 2009 12:13 PM CDT
Get them out of the pot business and this dies a quick death. Legalize it.
LiberalJesus
Aug 27, 2009 6:30 AM CDT
Whatever.....
 

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