News (Media Awareness Project) - Mexico: Men Tied To Arms Deal Face Trial In Mexico |
| Title: | Mexico: Men Tied To Arms Deal Face Trial In Mexico |
| Published On: | 2000-12-01 |
| Source: | San Diego Union Tribune (CA) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 00:41:42 |
MEN TIED TO ARMS DEAL FACE TRIAL IN MEXICO
Suspects Allegedly Negotiated Between Cartel, Guerrillas
Two men accused of negotiating an arms-for-drugs deal between the
Tijuana-based Arellano Felix drug cartel and one of Colombia's guerrilla
groups are facing trial in Mexico.
One, Colombian Carlos Ariel Charry Guzman, was allegedly working for the
leftist Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia.
Mexican authorities say he met at least twice with Ismael Higuera Guerrero,
suspected of being the chief lieutenant of the Arellano Felix group.
The two men allegedly worked out a deal under which Colombian guerrillas
would provide the Mexican cartel with drugs in return for cash and weapons.
Charry was captured in August in a Mexico City hotel and is now in a
federal prison. Higuera, known as "El Mayel," is being held in a Mexico
City prison on other drug-related charges. Mexican soldiers and federal
agents captured him in May after storming an Ensenada home.
"This is an important step against the Arellano Felix (cartel). . . . It
allows two governments to undo ties that have been established by the flow
of drugs," said Mariano Herran Salvatti, the chief coordinator of Mexico's
anti-drug agency.
The Arellano Felix cartel is known for its violence and unflinching grip on
the drug trade along the western portion of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Herran announced the charges against Charry and Higuera Nov. 23. A federal
judge had the option this week to dismiss them, but instead determined that
enough evidence exists to continue with a trial. Some of the evidence was
obtained through the cooperation of Colombian authorities.
The federal judge also upheld charges against two others alleged to have
assisted the cartel in Baja California.
Enrique Guillermo Salazar Ramos is alleged to have protected the cartel
when he was a high-ranking official with the Federal Judicial Police in
Baja California from 1971 to 1992. Similar charges have been filed against
Enrique Harari Garduno, who was a high-level federal official overseeing
roads and customs collections.
Suspects Allegedly Negotiated Between Cartel, Guerrillas
Two men accused of negotiating an arms-for-drugs deal between the
Tijuana-based Arellano Felix drug cartel and one of Colombia's guerrilla
groups are facing trial in Mexico.
One, Colombian Carlos Ariel Charry Guzman, was allegedly working for the
leftist Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia.
Mexican authorities say he met at least twice with Ismael Higuera Guerrero,
suspected of being the chief lieutenant of the Arellano Felix group.
The two men allegedly worked out a deal under which Colombian guerrillas
would provide the Mexican cartel with drugs in return for cash and weapons.
Charry was captured in August in a Mexico City hotel and is now in a
federal prison. Higuera, known as "El Mayel," is being held in a Mexico
City prison on other drug-related charges. Mexican soldiers and federal
agents captured him in May after storming an Ensenada home.
"This is an important step against the Arellano Felix (cartel). . . . It
allows two governments to undo ties that have been established by the flow
of drugs," said Mariano Herran Salvatti, the chief coordinator of Mexico's
anti-drug agency.
The Arellano Felix cartel is known for its violence and unflinching grip on
the drug trade along the western portion of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Herran announced the charges against Charry and Higuera Nov. 23. A federal
judge had the option this week to dismiss them, but instead determined that
enough evidence exists to continue with a trial. Some of the evidence was
obtained through the cooperation of Colombian authorities.
The federal judge also upheld charges against two others alleged to have
assisted the cartel in Baja California.
Enrique Guillermo Salazar Ramos is alleged to have protected the cartel
when he was a high-ranking official with the Federal Judicial Police in
Baja California from 1971 to 1992. Similar charges have been filed against
Enrique Harari Garduno, who was a high-level federal official overseeing
roads and customs collections.
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