LatinNews Daily - 28 October 2024

Mexico: On 16 October the US Department of Justice (DoJ) charged brothers Miguel and Omar Trevino Morales, known as ‘Z-40’ and ‘Z-42’ respectively, the alleged leaders of Mexican drug trafficking organisation (DTO) Cártel del Noreste (CDN), with international drug trafficking and firearms offences. The brothers allegedly assumed control of the DTO Los Zetas in 2012 after more than a decade as members of the violent group, which they later renamed the CDN, using “extreme violence to control large swathes of northern Mexico, including along the US border”. According to the statement, an indictment was unsealed in the District of Columbia that charges the pair with “engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise; drug trafficking conspiracy; firearms offenses; and international money laundering conspiracy”. The DoJ statement says that although Miguel and Omar were incarcerated in Mexico in 2013 and 2015 respectively, they have continued controlling the CDN through different means, “including by installing various family members to run operations at their behest”. The DoJ adds that the pair are “alleged to be personally responsible for committing dozens of murders and for directing assassinations, kidnappings, and acts of torture by Los Zetas and CDN members to promote and protect the Cartel’s drug trafficking activities and enrich its members”. US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, said in a statement: “The seriousness of the allegations included in the indictment underscores the importance of our shared work and cooperation with Mexico on issues of common interest to protect the security and wellbeing of our people.” If convicted, the brothers would face a maximum penalty of life in prison. However, despite several past attempts, US authorities have not yet been able to extradite either of the brothers to face charges in the US.

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