SLAYINGS TIED TO 'TRAFFIC' CARTEL

Four young men shot to death execution-style in a San Bruno apartment
died at the hands of a gang of men with links to one of Mexico's most
ruthless drug cartels, according to prosecutors trying to paint a
picture yesterday of the depth of crimes the gang was involved in.

Alfredo Valenzuela, 23, one of the suspects in the gruesome Jan. 11,
2002 quadruple murders, reportedly admitted being a member of the
Tijuana-based Arellano-Felix cartel. The cartel has moved billions of
dollars worth of drugs into the United States and takes responsibility
for many vicious murders including those of DEA agents. Published
reports say the cartel was the subject of the film "Traffic."

The trial itself, which begins today, may reveal sordid details of a
web of crime that both began and ended on that day in January.
Prosecutors hope to convince the jury that the four men were killed in
a premeditated drug hit in the apartment they rented solely for drug
deals. Earlier this year, the alleged ringleader reportedly died in a
gun battle in Mexico and defense attorneys hinted that one victim's
family is responsible for his demise.

Valenzuela's defense team said his claim to the cartel could be
nothing more than an idle boast as attorneys haggled yesterday over
what evidence a jury will hear about the quadruple murders and their
connection to the drug underworld.

The San Bruno apartment was specifically rented for drug trafficking,
prosecutor Al Giannini said. That theory is bolstered by the discovery
of $250,000 in cocaine in the apartment's kitchen along with the
bodies of Javier Vaca, 21, of Daly City and Mexican nationals Jose
Alberto Munoz-Lopez, 21, Emilio Alba-Flores, 20, and Roberto
Ramos-Guerro, 18. On Jan. 11, 2002, all four were discovered shot in
the back of the head in various rooms. Three of the victims had their
hands tied behind their backs with plastic zip ties. Four guns were
used in the murders, but none were ever found.

A month after the deaths, Valenzuela and Raul Campos, 20, were
arrested. Suspects Lazaro Perez, 24, and Jorge "Chico" Hernandez, 23,
were never arrested and Perez remains at large. Hernandez was the
alleged ringleader.

Although the murders were also classified as drug-related, details are
only now emerging about the exact motive. Prosecutors want to prove
that all four Southern California men drove to the Evergreen Ridge
apartments in San Bruno because Hernandez felt Vaca owed him money.
Vaca's wife can testify that he already paid Hernandez's boss in
Mexico and felt the debt was paid, Giannini said.

Valenzuela didn't know the trip to San Bruno was supposed to end in
murder, his defense counters. Without Hernandez, there may be little
proof to show otherwise.

Prosecutors are unable to use phone calls between Hernandez and Vaca
that reportedly establish a drug connection. Vaca's wife listened in
on some of the calls and can testify that in November 2001, Hernandez
threatened to bring men from Los Angeles to San Bruno to kill him.
Hall, though, said there is no way to prove the conversation because
Hernandez and Vaca are unavailable for questioning about Valenzuela's
direct involvement.

If convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and four gun
possession charges, Valenzuela will spend the rest of his life in
prison. Campos faces trial on the same charges later this year.

Valenzuela remains in custody on no-bail status.