4 FEDERALES FACE BAJA DRUG CHARGES

Links With Cartel, Slayings Probed

TIJUANA -- Authorities charged four federal police officers with
drug-related crimes this week and raided two homes in an attempt to tighten
the noose around the Arellano Felix cartel.

The Tijuana-based officers were apparently working for the Arellano cartel,
federal officials said. Mexican media also reported that the officers are
being investigated in connection with the April torture deaths of three
federal anti-drug agents in Baja California. The three agents had worked
closely with U.S. officials.

Soldiers also stormed two upscale houses early Wednesday in another effort
to hit the cartel. Instead, the raids have created an uproar, with
complaints that the soldiers used excessive force and unfairly targeted
prominent families.

Baja California Attorney General Juan Manuel Salazar Pimentel described the
raids as "a demonstration of barbaric force."

The two incidents illustrate the tricky balancing act authorities face in
battling the notoriously dangerous cartel while recognizing the human
rights of ordinary residents.

Observers say President Ernesto Zedillo wants the prestige of arresting the
cartel leaders, who are believed to control the drug trade along the Baja
California corridor, before he leaves office in December. A high-profile
capture could also help Zedillo's ruling party, which is facing stiff
competition in the July 2 election.

Federal officials have already made two stunning arrests this year of
high-ranking cartel leaders.

Jesus "El Chuy" Labra, a Tijuana businessman alleged to be the cartel's
financial mastermind, and Ismael Higuera Guerrero, considered the cartel's
chief lieutenant, now face charges of drug-related crimes.

Information obtained from Higuera's capture led to the arrest of the four
federal police officers, Jose Ricardo Rodriguez Torres, Ruben Cortes
Flores, Miguel Angel Crespo Zoloeta and Carlos Pineda Munoz, who are being
held in a Mexico City prison.

But the cartel's leaders, Benjamin and Ramon Arellano Felix, still elude
authorities.

"Everything points at him (Zedillo) aiming to apprehend them before he
finishes his term," said Tijuana-based human rights activist Victor Clark.
"If it doesn't happen, then it will be more complicated because whoever
wins will be busy putting new people in the government, and that will give
the cartels more time to get stronger."

Clark said the government's efforts to crack down on the Arellanos can be
seen in the increased presence of soldiers in the state. The soldiers work
with local law enforcement officials in random roadside searches and raids
such as those conducted this week.

But Raul Ramirez Baena, in charge of Baja California's human rights office,
said that operation went too far. He is filing complaints on behalf of the
affected families with a national commission of human rights.

Federal officials said in a press release that they targeted the two homes
because sources said they were being used as meeting places for members of
the Arellano cartel. After receiving permission from a judge, they
proceeded with the 5 a.m. operation.

One of the homes is owned by Rodolfo Gonzalez Salazar, who is described as
a descendant of some of the city's founders. Though Gonzalez was not in the
house, his two children and another relative found guns aimed at their
heads, Ramirez said.

Federal officials have apologized for the scare and the damage but say
their investigation will continue. Victor Vilaplana, a San Diego-based
attorney who grew up with Gonzalez in Tijuana, said many people are
outraged by the actions.

"He is a close friend of mine, and he is a person of unimpeachable
integrity," Vilaplana said. "I fear that civil liberties will be the latest
victims of the drug wars."