11/07 VIOLENCE TIJUANA FEDERAL AGENTS ATTACKED MEXICALI AND TIJUANA

...AND MEXICAN ARMY DISCOVERS ANOTHER TUNNEL, CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT:




Okay, sorry I have been busy, and speaking of health coverage as all eyes are focused on the sweeping changes going on in the United States, for the second time I went up to San Diego to get a flu shot at Sharp Reece Stealey in Otay, and once again, they were out of the shots - the flu clinic shut down, and this is just for the seasonal shot. I guess I'll have to break down and pay Vons thirty bucks for one. Will my health provider reimburse me? heehee, yea right.


El Mex noted a few days back that the ranks of the Federal Ministerio Publico are now the target of organized crime cells. On 11/05 in MEXICALI all agencies reported that three Federal Agents were shot and killed; they were, Ricardo Tamez Bazalda, Commander of the Joint Narcotics Unit (PFM), Edgar Hernandez Flores, Federal Prosecutor of the MPF, and Federal agent Hector Torres Tellez. This was in the residential area east of Mexicali, in the Marsella neighborhood. The agents approached a house on foot and according to El Mex, two of the agents entered the house where there was suspected drug trafficking and after just seconds, shots were heard.

El Mex notes that simultaneously, Mexicali Municipal Police report numerous calls of bomb threats and shootings. Four people have been arrested.


Which leads us to the armed attack on the Corona Hotel on Blvd. Agua Caliente, Tijuana on 11/06 which all agencies have been covering, but with a bit of confusion over who was shot. The latest reports are that these were not Federal Agents, but two civilians who were private security guards despite witnesses confirming the injured people were Federal Agents. Officials have not verified anything yet, they are keeping very quiet on this attack.

AFN gives a more detailed and clear picture of the event: Earlier in the afternoon, ten Federal Agents arrived and checked into the hotel, these men are part of the Intelligence Unit,"Special Operations Group (GOPES)". Early in the evening, gunmen traveling in two vehicles opened fire on two vehicles out side of the hotel and the hotel itself which received substantial damage to the top floor and the marquee. Blvd. Aqua Caliente was cordoned off for about an hour.

Interestingly, two commentators on AFN noted that the Corona Hotel was rumoured to be owned by the Arellano-Felix Cartel (CAF) and said that if this rumour was true and the CAF still owns the hotel, the Federal Agents were walking into a den of wolves.

In the second update on this event from AFN, their sources are saying that the attack on the Corona Hotel was retaliation from El Teo for the past arrests this last week of El Mono and other important figureheads, and for the raid by the Mexican Army on the warehouse at K21. According to AFN, the hit men were specifically looking for the agent known as "El Lumpa", but it seems they missed their target, however they sure knew about the Federal Agents being at the hotel, none of the agencies here are saying this attack was a coincidence at all.

AFN also notes that two weeks ago, two agents of the Federal Military Intelligence Group were kidnapped in this region and are presumed to be dead. In addition, AFN notes that US authorities warned last Thursday that officials in Tijuana should expect attacks against Federal Agents, especially with the visit of Presidente Calderon.


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11/07:

- All agencies reporting a tunnel discovered by the Mexican Army on the corner of Avenida Cuauhtemoc and Calle Los Olivos in colonia 70-76, which is close to the airport. The tunnel is 122 meters in length, 1.85 meters high, 1.10 meters wide and only 143.7 meters from the border fence, located in a house which was under construction. Frontera is stating that this find was made after a citizen's complaint, however AFN notes that hours earlier the Army had raided the "Auto Service Express" garage in colonia 20 de Noviembre which was serving as a place to hide the dirt taken from the tunnel. There are different accounts on how many people were arrested, some agencies are saying six, AFN is saying fifteen people arrested both at the garage site and at the tunnel site. In addition, 125 kilograms of marijuana seized along with twenty three vehicles. El Mex noted that the tunnel was 49% complete, with about 143.7 meters to finish:


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- El Mex reporting a kidnapping ring has been broken up by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Attorney General's Office in MEXICALI; one person was rescued and four people have been arrested.


- Frontera reports that the pharmacia Gusher in the Plaza Americana Mall, (Otay) Tijuana was assaulted with extreme violence by two gunmen.


- From ensenada.net a report on an arsenal found by Ensenada Municipal Police, here is the article, but it is unclear whether or not the man (who looks a lot like Pancho Villa if you get my drift) was arrested:


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11/06:


- Frontera reports that in ROSARITO BEACH an assault on a convenience store by three men and two women who threatened the employees a knife point. This was in colonia Cuenca Diaz which is in the southern part of Rosarito Beach.


- All agencies are reporting the Operational Commander of the Municipal Police Fernando Gomez who was officially found not to have been involved with the escape of Vera Ayala submitted his resignation on the ground of harassment.


- Frontera reporting the staff of the Attorney General's Office (PGR) and the people inside of the building evacuated because of a bomb threat which turned out to be faulty electric circuits. None of the other agencies mentioned a "bomb threat".


- AFN reports US citizen Matthew Joseph Robinson detained by the State Preventative Police to be handed over to US authorities; Robinson was wanted for beating his six month pregnant wife which left her in a coma and also has a warrant out for violent intimidation of witnesses.


- In ROSARITO BEACH, El Mex reports that three libraries vandalized and computer equipment stolen.


- AFN reports USBP in San Clemente arrest one man, a legal resident of the US, with 15.4 pounds of meth street value= 356K dollars.


- Frontera reports that two people arrested by Tijuana Municipal Police for trying to rob people at knife point on a bus (Linea Azul y Blanco), colonia Centro Urbano, Tijuana.




11/05:


- All agencies reporting a raid at dawn by the Mexican Army and police corporation in colonia Mariano Matamoros, Tijuana. Frontera is calling this a "brief armed conflict", but El Mex describes it as a gun battle. Seven houses were searched, the area cordoned off very rapidly, very coordinated, which led to the arrest of several people.

Initial reports said this raid was in response to a call regarding a shooting. However, according to AFN the object of this raid was to capture Raydel Lopez Uriate and his associates, who are said to have girlfriends in this area and suggests the raid was well planned. Unofficially it has been stated that the seven detainees are linked to kidnapping:


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- Frontera reports that in colonia Sanchez Tabaoda, Tijuana, a boy aged 12 manages to escape from a group of kidnappers. His brother told officials the boy was beat and thrown into the trunk of a car; the boy was able to kick the trunk door open when the vehicle had stopped at a red light and ran.


- El Mex reports in ENSENADA, State Preventative Police detain Alan Wells, a fugitive from Santa Barbara with an extensive criminal record wanted on warrants for assault with a firearm and attempted murder. He will be handed over to US authorities.


- All agencies reporting State Preventative Police arrest one man in colonia La Cima, Tijuana based on anonymous complaints that the man had been firing weapons. Also seized were one .223 rifle, one uzi, one revolver and 87 cartridges.


- All agencies reporting that five masked and armed men open fire on a taquiera en El Refugio, Tijuana forcing customers to lie on the floor. So far, no police reports on injured people or arrests.


- All agencies reporting that four to five gunmen steal an ATM machine from the OXXO store in San Antonio de los Buenos, Tijuana. Witnesses say the armed men used their vehicle to smash the front windows of the store, threatened the employees with their weapons, loaded the ATM machine onto their truck and fled. No arrests so far.




And finally, Presidente Calderon announced during his visit here to the north that the recession in Mexico was over. Really? Today we took some neighbors over to Walmart and Calimax because they needed to do some shopping. Although the stores were crowded with Mexicans, what we noticed was that no one was buying any meat or fish at either Walmart or Calimax; infact people had very little in their carts. Today, the peso was back up to about 13.3....and then there's the problem about oil....


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Speaking about energy, here is an interesting report from El Mex: The controversial proposed storage, processing and distribution of LPG, the company owned by Zeta Gas has been suspended by the Civil Judge of Ensenada based on a dangerous labor injunction.

The LNG Project has long been challenged by professional associations and neighborhood organizations in Bajamar mostly on violation regarding land use as defined in the programa de Cocotren for the coast of Baja. The complaints registered have also addressed the danger associated with the storage, processing and distribution of LNG. Still, although the Ensenada Municipal Government has been notified of the official suspension, the work has not stopped, construction continues at K83 on the Tijuana-Ensenada Scenic road.

No, really? They violate a work suspension notice? What a shocker.


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Here are the links:


AFN

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FRONTERA

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EL MEXICANO

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ZETA

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Take care everyone.

11/04 VIOLENCE TIJUANA MEMBER OF US AIR FORCE KILLED IN CIUDAD JUAREZ

Since no one else seems to be covering this story with the exception of the Mexican press, we should probably do this one first. All agencies are reporting that David Boohrs (Frontera names him as David Boohrs Montanez) 26 years old, member of the United States Air Force was among the six people who were executed early this morning by armed gunmen at the bar "Amadeus" in colonia Pradera Dorado, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. This has been confirmed by US authorities. Some reports are saying the six were executed because they were wearing some type of uniform; there is very little information on this event, why Boohrs was at this bar, who the other five people were or what they were doing there.

EDIT 11/05 10:20PM: This from Richard Grabman, a link to the gancho blog (TEXT: "Juarez Imitates a Robert Rodriquez Movie"); apparently this was a brothel located in what is known as the "golden zone"; six men and an exotic dancer were killed in a brothel...the gunmen entered the place to kidnapp two men who were at the bar which caused a brawl and resulted in the shootout. Thanks Richard and Patrick.





(Won't be back until later so just check the links. Sorry colon, that was a little to gross to post, why didn't the guy just take a freakin shower?)




Okay let's do the local updates:


- All agencies are reporting three people found executed in the east part of Tijuana (El Florido) in an area known as "tiradero de cuerpos" because in the past year, nine other bodies have been found here. Initial reports are that these are two men and one woman.


- El Mex has more information on "El Mono": Edgar Zuniga Nuno aka "El Mono" was arrested prior to the shootout at K21. It was after his arrest he gave details and locations of two safehouses, including the warehouse seized on K21 by the Mexican Army. He also provided names of at least half a dozen men who worked for El Teo. According to El Mex, this latter information was not a real eye opener to the Mexican Army as their intelligence gathered from other sources had led them to traitors in their own ranks. The one man killed at the K21 shootout was a former Mexican Army soldier, although it was noted that his identification revealed he was a current member of SEDENA. El Mono also implicated his fellow criminals to other crimes throughout the city including the attack on police at the 5 and 10, and the murder of the man whose body was found hanging from a bridge on the highway to Tecate and Blvd. 2000. There was no update on the relationship between the woman killed yesterday and El Mono.


- AFN reports one man shot Tuesday afternoon (notice that these reports are coming in almost a day later than the event) by a group of armed men traveling in vehicle in colonia Flores Magnon, Tijuana. this is in the west part of the city, close to the access to Playas de tijuana.


- Past two days, early morning commuters are reporting heavy police operations or movements in Zona Central, Tijuana.


- Another late report coming in from AFN: On Tuesday, at least seven gunmen attack and rob a gas station in colonia Jardin Dorado, La Presa, Tijuana. Wielding AK-47's and pointing them at the heads of the employees, the gunmen rob the gas station. The armed men were aboard two vehicles. No arrests so far.


- El Mex is reporting in ejido El Porvenor, ENSENADA, State Preventative Police arrest three men just walking around in possession of a .22 rifle, 11 bullets and dope.


- El Mex reporting in MANEADERO, ENSENADA, based on an anonymous tip, State Preventative Police arrest one man and seize 598 kilograms of marijuana with street value= 63,900 pesos. There was no mention of weapon (s) seized.


- Another late report from AFN: Yesterday in TECATE one man arrested for firing weapon in the air after a dispute. Municipal Agents located the man inside of his vehicle and seized one 9mm calibre with seven shots, and another 75 cartridges for a .22.


- All agencies reporting at around 3:30 this afternoon gunmen stormed the Bancomer bank in Parque Industrial Pacifico, Tijuana. AFN is reporting this as an armed commando group attacking the bank with extreme violence. These were five masked men who according to witnesses beat the security guard and also robbed the people who were inside of the bank. Dozens of police units went in pursuit of the gunmen, who caused (not the police, the gunmen) a rollover accident in their escape. Reports are that these men fired their weapons outside of the bank and also shot at police several times, but it is unclear if police returned the fire. There was a strong police operation to find the men, so far no arrests.


- Prepare yourselves for this one which will happen tomorrow: all agencies are reporting that two human rights organizations (one from Baja, one from Mexico City) will be testifying in Washington, D.C. for one hour before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights against high ranking Federal, State and Local law enforcement authorities in Tijuana who these groups claim have abused human rights in the fight against organized crime. I don't suppose anyone will be going to Washington, D.C. to testify against human rights abuses and mayhem caused by organized crime? I didn't think so.

Here are the links:


AFN

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FRONTERA

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EL MEXICANO

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TIJUANA PRESS

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ZETA

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Take care everyone.

11/03 VIOLENCE TIJUANA THE GREAT TOILET PAPER ROBBERY

As promised, pictures of the tagging on our house and Reuban's house at San Antonio Del Mar, sorry I did not get a pic of the damage done to Mike's truck - the guys at work were able to get the tagging off. Also I just have not had a spare second around here to upload the video which Reuban gave to authorities today, I will do that later. We all sincerely believe this was done to intimidate us for protesting against both the over-the-height-limit decks and the aggressive (American) renter. It is my understanding that yet another official complaint against this man (that makes three) who let his dogs attack other peoples dogs, threw glass bottles into the street,threw five gallon water bottles into Reuban's yard, crept around at night peering into people windows,screamed "shut the fuck up" continuously,stole landscaping and threatened me with a pruning shears and drove around in unregistered vehicles was lodged. Way to go, thank you. Except be careful, your adversaries will say you have had the same kind of problems in other places where you've lived, you can't get along with people, you are mentally ill, you make things up as you go along and you have anger issues. Still we fight on, the deck issues are not over.


There is more information on the loud party at SADM which prompted the presence Tijuana Municipal Police; according to sources it was a wedding party but a fight broke out. No wonder the guard didn't want to intervene....I mean, would you?


Okay before we do the updates, has anyone noticed the change over on Sign On San Diego? I'm assuming this is the soft peddle approach to events of the drug and social violence issues in Baja - what you don't know won't hurt you ? If you have time, drop a comment, it would be interesting to see what you are thinking regarding their change in format.


Since the big bust by the Mexican Army on K21, it has been relatively quiet, but we've gone through quiet spells before, so it's difficult to predict if this is a real change or just a lull.

11/02:

- Frontera reporting the morning of 11/01 in ROSARITO BEACH armed man robs the cell phone company (unnamed) after locking the employee in the bathroom. This business is located on the main street, Blvd. Benito Juarez at the Pemex entrance. Frontera reports this business has been robbed before and the owner has filed three complaints with the Ministerio Publico.


- AFN reports Tijuana Municipal Police arrest one man, armed with .22 rifle who had just committed an armed assault on a taqueria in La Presa, Tijuana.


- El Mex reports three polleros in the process of smuggling humans arrested in Playas de Tijuana by Tijuana Municipal Police.


- Fulano sends us this link from "Mexico Living" Magazine:


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- All agencies reporting gunmen open fire on what at first was reported to be a man and his daughter leaving the Mercado de Todos market on Blvd. Diaz Ordaz, La Mesa, Tijuana in their vehicle. The most recent update on this story is from AFN which state that it is unclear exactly what the relationship between these two people was. The girl is dead, the man who was shot is refusing to cooperate with authorities. AFN states these people had recently arrived in Tijuana from the state of Puebla. There is some speculation that the girl was romantically linked to "El Mono" (The Monkey) who was arrested two days ago by the Mexican Army prior to the K21 shootout. Authorities have not substantiated this claim. Witnesses are saying the assassins arrived in two vehicles, five men quietly got out of those vehicles, walked to the victims car and opened fire.


11/03:


- Nothing to do with the violence, but of interest, Mexicali is under a yellow alert having experienced over a hundred earthquakes in the past two days. The largest was a 4.0 @ 11:25 on 11/02. On that day, hospitals and the Palacios were evacuated.


- All agencies reporting armed attack kills one man in his vehicle in front of his house in colonia Ruiz Cortines, Tijuana. His family told authorities the victim had just received a telephone call which lured him to leave the house. When he got into his vehicle, he was shot at close range.


- Tijuana Press reports that Sergio Cazares (aka "El Paisita") arrested in Tecate with a .357 magnum, 12 gauge shotgun and several cartridges has been linked to Sanchez Arellano and will be arraigned on charges of organized criminal activity, violation of the Federal Firearms and Explosives Law, and crimes against health.


- Many captures and arrests taken from all agencies:

- One man arrested by Tijuana Municipal Police for opening parking meters in the Zona Central. Authorities have indicated this man could be linked to more meter robberies with a total of twenty thousand dollars in lost revenue.


- Two men arrested for stealing clothing out of a van in colonia Federal.


- Two narcomenudistas arrested by State Preventative Police in Mariano Matamoros (based on anonymous tip) and the Zona Norte with a total of 144 doses of ice seized.


- Okay, don't everyone laugh at once; a band of robbers, ten in all arrested in colonia Carlos Campos, Tijuana for stealing a truck with 24,000 rolls of toilet paper. Their intent was to sell the toilet paper to shops, or perhaps systems disruption ! I've heard of the Great Train Robbery, but never the Great Toilet Paper Robbery. This could make the Guinness record book for sure. Also seized was a stolen ATV, and I'm not sure how that fit into the equation, or story which most of the agencies are covering.


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- In MEXICALI, El Mex is reporting a failed possible kidnapping and definite extortion against a used car salesman resulted in the capture of a gang of extortionists and drug dealers which included at least two officers of the Municipal Preventative Police, one of whom is still at large. After a chase and shootout with Mexicali Municipal Police, six more were arrested.


The Links:


AFN

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FRONTERA

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EL MEXICANO

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TIJUANA PRESS

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ZETA

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Take care everyone.

11/01 VIOLENCE TIJUANA ANOTHER SHOOTOUT CLONED MEXICAN ARMY SOME BIG TIME ARRESTS

ATTENTION TAGGERS AT SADM; SOMETHING LIKE THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTABLE:




I WOULD HAVE PAID YOU TO DO THIS:




CLONED MEXICAN ARMY VEHICLES SEIZED AFTER TODAY'S SHOOTOUT (courtesy Frontera):





I wanted to publish the pictures of the destruction, violation and vandalism here at San Antonio Del Mar of our house, Mike's truck and Reuban's house all tagged, but Reu has asked that I wait until he hands the video and pics over to the authorities. We are still waiting to see what "they" are going to do to Guillermo and possibly the two nice American ladies who voiced complaints over the hostile renter.


Of course, we know this is an intimidation tactic because Mexican citizens filed complaints about over-the-limit decks built by American Real Estate developers, and the Mexican citizens complaint about an aggressive renter and his unregistered vehicles moved in here by David Holt, an American Real Estate Agent. So, what we did today was to prime the damage to our wall and then painted it, but probably we will have to repaint the entire wall which is sixty feet in length. And just want to say, darn it you guys, you only gave us squiggly lines and you gave Reu and Carmen the penis. I feel really slighted. By the way, two weeks ago, Mexican Immigration escorted the aggressive repulsive American renter out of the country for the second time according to neighbors, but he's back in the house at San Antonio Del Mar. And what is the name of the group that these American Real Estate Developers hang out with? Something about Pastoralists/Nomads ? Well, it certainly was not creative tagging by a long shot. Jeez I might have appreciated something like "Surfer's Rule" or a cool airbrush of a palm tree or SOMETHING. But nooooooooo, JUST CACA. I guess we should have expected this from these people, the ones who call Obama a "nigger" President, build shrines to Sarah Palin, hang out with criminals, drunks and liars and whores and most importantly, violate Mexican neighborhoods.


Also at San Antonio Del Mar last night, neighbor reports having to call Tijuana police, who only have their hands full these days, to break up a loud party at 1:30 in the morning; security guards according to neighbor would not act. At 1:00AM neighbor complains to Security Guards at San Antonio Del Mar, and they respond, or at least one of them responded, "So what do you want me to do about it?" Loud music is supposed to be banned after 10PM, but looks like that isn't going to happen around here anymore. Tijuana Municipal Police arrived and broke up the partee.


And one more thing, I have been attacked for my spelling. It's true, I do accidentally use the Spanish spelling "calibre" for "caliber".


Okay let's do the updates:


- All agencies reporting a shoot out this morning between armed men and the Mexican Army in La Presa, Tijuana leaving one of the attackers dead, one of the attackers wounded and one Mexican Army soldier wounded and thirteen men including two minors arrested. Seized were eight rifles, sixteen military uniforms, four Chevy Cheyennes camouflaged to resemble Mexican Army vehicles, 3,400 cartridges of various calibres , kevlar helmets, radio equipment,and vests with the logo of Raydel Uriate Lopez aka "The Crutches".



There is not a lot of information regarding the gun battle other than first reports are saying the Army was responding to a call regarding armed people, Frontera reporting it occurred on Blvd. 2000 in the La Presa area AFN is reporting that it occurred in the Valle Bonito neighborhood. There are also reports that a warehouse was secured by the Army.



AFN reports that the one of those arrested today was the top aide to "The Crutches", this would be "El Mono" who controls the drug market in the Zona Norte, Tijuana. "El Mono" AFN states, is also possibly linked to the attack on October the 19th in La Mesa, Tijuana on Police officers.


EDIT 11/02: El Mex has once again updated this story today:
apparently based on an anonymous tip, the Fifth Battalion of Special Forces and the Second Cavalry Motorized Regiment of the Mexican Army raided at just a bit past 2:00 a hanger like headquarters. Reports are that residents of colonia Valle Bonito (La Presa) were awakened by heavy gunfire. One soldier was wounded in his leg, and a call for back up went out to which the Tijuana Municipal Police responded. After initial gunfire, the assassins tried to make a break for it in one of the cloned vehicles, but the driver was shot dead. Others, at least fifteen managed to scale the walls and escape. Thirteen were arrested, two of these are minors. The criminal quarters included a paint shop, an area to armor vehicles and in the cellar portion were the uniforms and tactical equipment. The structure was completely surrounded by a four foot fence, it was located at K-21 on the Tijuana-Tecate free road. Here is the El Mex article which lists the weapons confiscated and the men arrested:


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No one seems to have video up yet of the "headquarters", but Tijuana Press does have video of the thirteen arrested, maybe there will be some video tomorrow.




- All agencies reporting in colonia Buenaventura, ENSENADA six men arrested and also seized were three AR-15 rifles, one 9mm uzi, loaders for AR-15, three hundred plus cartridges for .223 calibre and AK-47, forty seven expanding bullets and three vehicles. AFN gives us a bit more detail: An arrest was initially made in colonia Moderna, Ensenada of Victor Cardenas Yamamoto who spilled the beans on his buddies who were subsequently picked up. All of these men work for Sanchez Arellano.



- Frontera reporting one man executed and another man wounded by a group of skinheads in Mariano Matamoros. One of the members of this group was arrested by Tijuana Municipal Police, he is 14 years old.



- All agencies reporting one man arrested for the kidnapping of the 12 year old girl 09/02 who was held in Playas de Tijuana and subsequently rescued by Ministerial Police on 09/11. T.his was Cespedes Arago, also responsible for four murders of people because they would not pay extortion monies and works for Jose Carlo Mendoza Hernandez (aka"El Charly") who belongs to the Raydel Lopez Uriate ("the Crutches") cell.



10/29-10/31


- AFN has published the letter from the security group, PROSUL to their Tijuana clients in response to the recent attacks on Police officers in Tijuana. PROSUL warnings include:

- The attacks will continue at equal or greater intensity in the future.


- Advise to clients to exercise caution when walking in the streets.


- Advise to clients to stay as far away as possible from police convoys.


Some of PROSUL'S clients include Panasonic, Mabe, Vitro, Femsa and DHL.


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- This one is from Fulano, and every major new agency in Mexico has covered this story, but it has not been covered locally at all. Singer Jannette Chao was on a tour to promote Mexico and sought to present Mexico as not just a place of violence and misery as reported in the press. While she was in Tijuana with her assistant, her vehicle was robbed by assailants carrying guns and wearing hoods, making off with forty thousand dollars worth of equipment. Ms. Chao said the local police authorities demanded that she remain silent about what happened so that the incident would not fuel another story of violence in Tijuana. At first, Chao said she did remain silent, rationalizing that this was just another incident which thousands of Mexicans suffer from daily. She said, "...we do not talk or complain because we are afraid."


Ms. Chao's tour has been suspended but she asked the public to organize against the violence which is afflicting the society.


Well, the only problem that I have with this story is that in my experience the people here in Tijuana and Rosarito Beach are extremely vocal regarding the violence and impunity - if it were not for them, the Army wouldn't be here. But here is the story:



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- All agencies reporting that in ROSARITO BEACH a group of armed men stormed the offices of the civil courts at the Palacio Municipal, leaving the guard bound and locked in the bathroom and making off with 25,000 pesos, computer equipment and they also trashed judicial records.



- AFN reports that eight heavily armed men wearing jackets with the logo AFI raid another OXXO store in La Mesa, Tijuana. In a follow up report, AFN reports Tijuana Municipal Police have arrested two of the assailants.


- El Mex reporting Tijuana Municipal Police arrest one man at the HSBC bank on Calle Segunda y Avenida G in Tijuana. Inside of his vehicle was a .45 ruger with 7 shots. He claimed to be an agent of the Federal Police but could not substantiate it.



- AFN reporting that two of the four men arrested after last Tuesday's shootout in Tijuana have admitted involvement in the murders of two men who were found hung in different parts of the city and also that of another person, as yet not identified. Three of the weapons seized have been traced to the killings of twelve people, 11 of those Municipal Police Officers of Tijuana and Rosarito Beach.



- Frontera reporting on Calle Coahuila and Avenida Revolucion in the Zona Norte, Tijuana one man beaten to death and strangled in front of the La Tropa Bar. Two men were arrested by Tijuana Auxiliary Police.


- All agencies reporting a strong Military operation at the San Ysidro Port, at least thirty soldiers and officers using canine units checking vehicles leaving Mexico and entering the United States.


- Frontera reporting in ROSARITO BEACH a tienda de autoservicios (which one was not named ) robbed by three youths. There is very little information on this event.



- AFN and El Mex reporting a violent assault by at least three armed men of the OXXO store on Calle Guanajuato in La Mesa, Tijuana taking one of the clerks as hostage. Tijuana Municipal Police arrest three, one of the attackers was wounded, hostage released.



Here are the links, check out all the other stories, sorry I couldn't get them all, busy...you know...PAINTING.


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AFN:

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TIJUANA PRESS:

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FRONTERA:

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EL MEXICANO:

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ZETA:

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Take care everyone.

10/28 VIOLENCE TIJUANA "LA GRANJA" BANNED FROM AIRWAVES

For you Mexico political watchers, a couple of events with social significance which stood out in the news today: The first is the banning on the airwaves of the Los Tigres del Norte song, "La Granja", and the second is the frowning of the Military on the proposed march in Tijuana against ...well, they say it is against insecurity and the organizers are using the death of the 16 year old girl, Yazmin Ramos Torres, yesterday in the shootout as a symbol of their grievances.


The proposed march is scheduled for 9AM November the 19th, commencing in front of the Plaza del Zapato, moving towards the Border and then on to the airport. The organizers of this march have remained anonymous and are claiming that the leaders here have decided not to win the drug war because it is not in their interest.


The Military has responded and is calling this group opportunistic in the sense that whoever these individuals are,they have only their interests at heart and not the interests of society in general. Further, the Military is calling on people to close ranks and continue to denounce organized crime. And, they are correct.


It's just a shame that little Yazmin is being used like a football. You might want to remember that date, and avoid those areas completely.


Frontera is the only source that has been running the story of the banning of "La Granja", by Los Tigres del Norte from airplay. Infact, they ran an initial story and then later this evening, they simply posted the lyrics.



Many years ago, we were invited by some people to attend the Los Tigres concert in Ensenada, and it was shocking to see hundreds of young people just swept away by the adulation of drug dealers. "Jefe de Jefe" became a mantra and it was disturbing, not only to us but to alarmed Mexican parents. The message was - it's OK to do this, it's cool.


I think you can get a sense of the fragile state of affairs here when the government bans a song from airplay. Whether this move will actually make the song more popular by forcing it underground remains to be seen. There has been a considerable backlash against narco corridos within the Mexican population which has not been recognized in the United States by the armchair revolutionaries and romantics. A very large portion of Mexican citizens at least in this area are viewing them as part of the problem which fuels organized crime and insecurity.


A reminder to those of you in the United States who are calling for a pull out of the Military: You seem to forget that over four years ago it was the Mexican people who marched over and over again demanding their voice be heard as victims of crime and demanded that the Military be sent to the north, in fact, you were oblivious to these marches and demands, same as the tourism and real estate developers who did not want Americans to think there was anything "wrong" here.


Several months ago, social historians in Mexico commented that it was important to document all aspects of the drug war so that later generations would be able to understand the events and to be a constant reminder that this should never again be allowed to happen in Mexican society. They stressed that even the narco corridos should be studied, and the reasons why people found them so attractive. I'm going to link you to David Ortez's blog with commentary on the interpretation of the lyrics and you can do or think whatever you want to with it:


Los Tigres del Norte - Page 3
by, David Ortez

TEXT


Actually there is a third social development which might be of interest to you, and that is the movement to the possible breaking of the telecommunications monopoly as reported by El Mex a couple of days ago: Claudio Arriola Guerrero of CANIETI explained that the problem in Mexico is the cost of broadband, and that local and long distance telephone rates among the highest in the world which is inconsistent with the income of the population. He noted that countries such as USA, Japan, Korea and most of Europe have much lower rates. He feels that if the Senate validates the increased telecommunication tax, the Federal government will be obliged to end the monopoly which exists in Mexico. Competition he feels will make telephone and internet rates decrease and be more accessible to the consumer. Well, I don't know what Carlos Slim is going to think about that. Here is the complete article:


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Okay let's do the updates:



- El Mex is reporting that after yesterday's shootout a three hour search led Municipal Police to ROSARITO BEACH where there was another shootout. This exchange of fire left two attackers wounded and placed under arrest.


- Tijuana Press is correcting the report that there was a person found dead in a taxi at the shootout scene yesterday, there was not. And here are pics of two of the four men arrested from this shootout from Tijuana Press: (vid at bottom of article)


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- In addition, El Mex is reporting that through interrogation of the surviving assassins of last Saturday's shootout in Mexicali, the PGJE announced an arrest of another member of the State Police (PME)with ties to the Sinaloa cartel. State Attorney Manjarrez stated: "Clearly there is still corruption in our institutions despite the cleansing process we have had in recent months...there is no denying we still have ministerial officers working with organized crime, our emphasis will be to continue investigation."


- EDIT 10/29: This morning AFN and El Mexicano report at 9:00PM last night, a violent assault of the OXXO store on calle Guanajuato in La Mesa, Tijuana by armed gunmen who threatened employees and tried to take one employee hostage. Quick arrival of the Tijuana Municipal Police nets three arrests, one of the attackers was wounded.


- All agencies reporting on the narco tunnel discovered by the Mexican Army and Navy (Marines) in the Otay industrial zone, about a block away from the border. Initially reports were stating that although the tunnel was unfinished, it was sophisticated. Today the reports are that it only contained rudimentary lighting and the walls were not reinforced. The Mexican Army announced today that one of those arrested was an American citizen. Go to Tijuana Press (Era un tunel en construccion) for a tour of the tunnel.


- Frontera reporting in ROSARITO BEACH a US citizen's truck was robbed in the parking lot of a shopping mall (unnamed). Stolen were his wallet with papers including passport, phone and insulin meter. No arrests.


- All agencies reporting in San Antonio de los Buenos, Tijuana on an abandoned dairy farm inside of a water tank human remains were discovered.


- El Mex reporting one man found executed in colonia Terrazas de San Angel, Tijuana. This would be about in the same area as yesterday's shootout.



- El Mex reporting that at 2:00AM an armed commando group of 10 people in two trucks crashed through the Calimax store located on Main Street in the El Florido neighborhood. Aside from taking the ATM machines, this group also kidnapped the cashier.


- El Mex reporting another armed assault at 10PM (store unnamed), Tijuana Municipal Police arrest two men.


Here are the links, don't miss all the other stories and especially the comments by the Mexican people:


AFN

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TIJUANA PRESS

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FRONTERA

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EL MEXICANO

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ZETA

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Take care everyone.

10/25-27 VIOLENCE TIJUANA OFFICIALS ADMIT THE SINALOA CARTEL IS HERE AND CORPORATIONS HAVE BEEN INFILTRATED - ANOTHER ATTACK ON POLICE

10/27: ANOTHER ATTACK ON TIJUANA MUNICIPAL POLICE ONE 15 YEAR OLD BYSTANDER IS DEAD: (Courtesy Frontera)




EDIT AND UPDATE 10/27:

Some conflicting reports from news agencies here, Frontera is stating this incident happened yesterday, which is not unusual, a lot of times there are mistakes in initial information. At around 11AM this morning nothing has been confirmed by authorities, expect to see that confirmation later this afternoon.


This is what we know so far: Agencies are reporting another ambush on Tijuana Municipal Police earlier this morning; according to Frontera police units were responding to a call for assist. This happened in the Loma Blanca area, southwest of the City on the Tijuana-Rosarito Beach free road in the Loma Blanca area. Initial reports are saying police were ambushed by at least twenty armed men, the number of vehicles the attackers used is unclear at this point. AFN's initial report is saying a group of officers traveling in three units, two pick up trucks and one sedan were attacked by gunmen. A chase and shootout ensued. At this point one officer was wounded, one 15 year old girl shot in the abdomen while waiting for a bus to take her to school in Rosarito Beach, another minor killed minutes later by gunfire (we are assuming this child was on the street)and died at the Rosarito Beach General Hospital and a woman was run over by one of the vehicles belonging to the armed gunmen. Her condition is unclear. Some agencies are reporting two police officers were wounded.


Witnesses are saying a hail of bullets were coming from all directions, and are saying that four of the gunmen were arrested.


Police Helicopter according to AFN able to locate two vehicles used by the attackers inside of which were several rifles, vests with the logo of the OFDI and other tactical equipment.


El Mex is reporting the attackers were wearing State Preventative Police (PEP) uniforms. Also, four vehicles used by the attackers have been located with bloodstains inside, and that the minor who was killed was the 15 year old girl, Jasmine Torres Ramos who was waiting for the school bus. El Mex reports she died at the Rosarito Beach General Hospital and El Mex is not reporting that another minor was wounded as some of the other agencies have reported.


However, El Mex is reporting that a man on board of a taxi was hit by gunfire and killed, no mention of the woman who was run over.


Keep an eye on the links, AFN will be having full coverage shortly, their site is jammed so keep checking, no vid up yet at Tijuana Press, keep checking:


TEXT


Here are more late developments from this story at around 10:30PM:

AFN: Corrects the age of the girl killed, she was 16 not 15. AFN also states when she was shot, she was helping her mom set up a taco stand before she caught the bus to school.

El Mex: Clarifies that the gunmen were wearing uniforms with the initials of AFI for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, not the State Preventative police. El Mex also reports that another one of the assassins has died, and that the first reports of a woman being run over have not been substantiated.

Frontera: Reports that the assassins had just hours before been passed through a checkpoint, telling officers they were with the police doing investigative work. Frontera does not note which agency was manning the checkpoint.


~



- AFN with a late report of another incident which happened yesterday (10/26): One man executed in his vehicle in La Mesa, Tijuana; witnesses say that an occupant from another vehicle approached the man, seemed to just be talking to him and then pulled out a gun and shot the man twice.






10/26:


Most of the news services here are reporting the announcement of Attorney General Rommel Moreno Manjarrez that one of the assassins killed in last Saturday's shoot out in Mexicali was State police officer Juan Manuel Perez Fajardo who was working with organized crime. Manjarrez stated, "...it is regrettable...but we are fighting a war within the corporation."


In addition, Public Safety Secretary of State, Daniel de la Rosa Anaya announced that those arrested after last Saturday's shoot outs are linked to the Sinaloa cartel, which is seeking to control the plaza.


This shouldn't come as a great surprise, ZETA has been saying this for a long time and US law enforcement has been keenly aware of this presence for years. The surprise is that officials here finally admitted it.


Here is the ZETA edition from a couple of issues back, which explains the relationship between El Teo who protects the Sinaloa cartel, some of the more recent executions and high levels of corruption dating back years in Baja California, and as mentioned here before, the dope coming into Baja California through Ensenada
basically belongs to the Sinaloa cartel:


TEXT


Will things get worse? Probably. Will the Sinaloa cartel be able to sustain fronts against the Juarez cartel, the Gulf cartel, Sanchez Arellano and the Mexican Army? If they are planning on government infiltration and support from El Teo, whose wrath knows no bounds, plus increased unsubdued violence on both sides of the border the answer will be yes.


Meanwhile, Bill Clinton remarked at the 2009 Coparmex Business Meeting that while he supported the "hard line" government of Felipe Calderon's war on drugs, this effort is not enough and that Mexico should generate social and economic conditions to prevent people choosing trafficking activities. In addition to providing humanitarian events, Clinton also called for a ban on some weapons in the United States, and that America should support this effort:


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Well of course this is correct, social thinkers here have been saying this for a few years now, but is it too late? How is Mexico able to do this when she is facing the worst recession since 1929? And, thanks a lot Bill, maybe you should have thought of this when you were cramming NAFTA down everyone's throat. As far as America supporting this effort, even on a sociological level forget it, Americans do not give a shit, and they won't until the drug violence hits them in the eyes in their safe little home towns.


Meanwhile, polarity in America: the pollyannas and romanticists who don't have a clue keep saying end the prohibition, without giving a second thought to the complete breakdown affect this would have on any sort of stability here in Mexico and the ultra right says seal the border. Coincidentally (?!!) many supporters of ending the prohibition, knowing this would create massive chaos just happen to be Marxist oriented, their goal is to see the complete structure in Mexico break down. And people like the Baja Nomads are just waiting in the wings to cash in on whatever it is they can no matter which way it goes, like scavengers.


- AFN, Tijuana Press and Frontera are updating the molotov cocktail story; apparently this is a method of intimidation used to to extort money, so far predominately in the La Mesa area of Tijuana. The person arrested for throwing two of these devices and burning down one casa de cambio, Hector Mendoza Hernandez aka "El Junior" has been linked to another criminal wanted by the authorities, "El Muerto". It was not indicated in any of the reports if these individuals are part of organized crime, but I don't think they are free agents.


- El Mex reporting Richard Burbank, 67 and a US citizen, fugitive and wanted on a warrant for fraud and identity theft (gosh that sure sounds familiar...) arrested in ENSENADA and he will be handed over to US authorities.



- All agencies reporting just a few steps away from the Police Command on 8th street between Constitucion and Revolucion in Tijuana, vehicle found parked very neatly in what AFN describes as a reserved spot for the Municipal Public Security with remains of dismembered bodies. Frontera states two, but AFN says the remains could possibly be of three people. This of course, was a direct message to Chief Leyzaola and the Tijuana Municipal Police. A narco-message was left at the scene, but don't expect to find out what it said, no longer are authorities disclosing remarks left in narcomessages. The area was cordoned off and people were evacuated because of the possibility of a bomb threat. AFN has the pics and Tijuana Press has a video.


Is this the work of the Sinaloa cartel? Well if it is, hold on to your seats folks, because it is going to be a rough ride.


Have your illusions about Baja been shattered yet?


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Here are the links:


AFN

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TIJUANA PRESS

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FRONTERA

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EL MEXICANO

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ZETA

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Take care everyone. BTW, as of 10/26 Sharp Reese Stealy has supplies of the seasonal flu shot in. Oh and BTW, there have been threats made to me concerning be BANNED from the internet and reported to the authorities:

TEXT
I am so terrified.

(c;

10/25 VIOLENCE TIJUANA MOLOTOV COCKTAIL BUT THERE IS ALOT OF GOOD NEWS FROM CESPT US SEXUAL OFFENDER RUNNING FREE IN ENSENADA AND TIJUANA

Okay, since the subject around here seemed to have been the environment, let's go with the good news from CESPT first. The 10/22 report from CESPT accounting for a 253 million pesos investment is:

- In Valle San Pedro, a water treatment plant activated including 4 tanks and driving lines.


- In Valle Redondo, 12,716 meters of sanitary sewer pipe laid; 5,725 meters of potable drinking water pipe laid.


- In Florido-Popotla, aqueduct complete with 29,957 meters of pipe for potable water, seven tanks, one water treatment plant, all completed.


- In progress: Aqueduct Herrara-La Mision which will include 6,595
meters of pipe for potable water.


- Completed: The rehab of the conduction system at the Cila PB Plant.


- Completed: 6,067 meters of pipe @ the plants Arturo Herrera, La Morita and Tecolote-La Gloria. Construction and amendments continue at the three plants, and BTW, when this is finished at Tecolote-La Gloria, which is at 40 % right now, you will no longer see untreated sewage flowing down the baranca at San Antonio Del Mar.


- Still working on the Morado Project which will be using 2 million 330 thousand cubic meters of treated water to irrigate green areas. Some of this is already in place and you can see the sign for the Morado Project entering Playas de Tijuana.


- Completed: 780 meters of pipeline for the Rosarito Cobacho Siglo XXI treatment plant and 5,373 meters of line for treated water from the Arturo Herrera Park Morelos.


- Well, even Ramona seems to have a sludge problem these days, so if you are an anti-sludge activist you may not like this one - In Valle San Pedro, one sludge plant activated.



Also, of importance this evening at 7PM on the Discovery Channel, AFN is reporting there will be a special documentary by Alan Tomlinson focusing on the assassination of Colosio and Dona Dora Elena Cortes, director of the AFN news agencies will be one of the interviewees.


The Updates 10/24:

EDIT:11.24pm:

- This is going to be shall we say a WTF story. This morning, Fulano sent us this story from El Vigia:

Sex offender fugitive from US justice captured in ENSENADA by State Preventative Police was RELEASED by the Federal Prosecutor. According to staff at the Attorney General's office (PGR), US citizen Michael Benhoft Thomas was released after posting bail. At the time of his arrest, the fugitive was carrying a black bag with a portable hard drive which contained child pornography, a camera, marijuana and a folder with his criminal records.

At the Ensenada police department, Benhoft Thomas told officers he had another house in Tijuana where there was more illegal material.

The offender said he lived in Valle Dorado, Ensenada and confessed that he had more pornography on a computer located at his house at Blvd. Zertuche y Lago Victoria. There agents found more illegal materials including another hard drive and 29 CD's with more child pornography. (BTW, swanky houses there in Valle Dorado)

El Vigia notes this man was previously arrested on September the 30th in a park by an elementary school in Tijuana. This arrest was based on complaints from residents who said Benhoft Thomas was performing improper acts as students were leaving the school in Costa Bella. After this arrest, Benhoft Thomas offered a bribe which was not accepted, yet he was set free.

El Vigia states Benhoft Thomas has an outstanding warrant from the State of California since 2007 and that the Liaison Unit was aware of the Ensenada arrest.


TEXT


Ok, I waited on this until some of the other agencies picked up the story, this evening Frontera is reporting the arrest but says nothing about the release. AFN, on the other hand ran the story tonight and also states that Benhoft Thomas is a fugitive from the US:


TEXT


At AFN, a commentator links to the arrest story in Tijuana back on September the 30th from THE SAN DIEGO READER which clearly states this man does have an arrest warrant out in California, yet he walked in Tijuana - check it out:


TEXT


The question on everyone's mind is why was he released if he had an outstanding warrant... twice? Is he a plant or does he have a rich family paying someone off? If he was a plant, I'd say his cover has been slightly blown, someone didn't get the word. If it's the other...well WTF.




- All agencies reporting in MEXICALI one police officer, one gunman and one civilian killed as the result of two armed clashes last night around 10PM. A vehicle was stopped by police @ Laguna de Xochilico y Calzada Lombardo Toledano, gunmen inside the vehicle open fire on the police officers killing one officer, Jose Humberto Lopez. Vehicle flees and is pursued by another group of agents resulting in another shootout in the Valle Dorado neighborhood leaving one of the gunmen dead and two gunmen wounded. In addition, one civilian, a caretaker of a nearby warehouse was caught in the crossfire and killed. five were arrested. Residents of both areas said they heard gunfire for several minutes.



- El Mex reporting USBP seizes 71 pounds of cocaine and detain one Mexican citizen on Interstate 8, at the hot spot, Pine Valley. Street value= 710K dollars.


- Frontera reporting Tijuana Municipal Police arrest one woman and three men for stealing a taxi and seize a .38. These people were young and have admitted to assaulting eight retailers in the area.


- Frontera is updating the Vera-Ayala escape story: Two Rosarito Beach Municipal Police Officers have been detained and admitted to the State Penitentiary for their part in assisting Vera-Ayala and his three companions escape.


10/23:


- All agencies reporting four executions Friday night: Another hanging victim but this time from a light pole, in Sanchez Taboada, Tijuana; three others, two men and one woman found in Ejido Ojo de Aqua, Tijuana near to El Pozalero's property, semi-buried.

Note: Today's news indicates reports from the PGJE are reporting the one hanging was a suicide.


- AFN reports the State Preventive Police attached to the International Liaison Unit arrest US citizen Dirk Vandenbrink in ENSENADA. He was a fugitive from justice with outstanding warrant for robbery in the US. AFN notes that since 2002, 271 US fugitives have been arrested in Baja California, 32 of those arrests in just the past year.


- AFN reports two armed men carrying rifles rob a carniceria (meat store) in colonia Guadalajara, La Mesa, Tijuana. The owner tried to follow them with his vehicle after they left but had to fall back when the attackers pointed their weapons at him. No arrests.


- AFN reporting bank assault in the vicinity of Centro Commercial Siglo XXI, Tijuana. Attackers detonated firearms when leaving the bank (unnamed). At the time of this report, the men were being pursued by Tijuana Municipal Police, however to date no reported
arrests.


- El Mex reporting Fernando Sanchez, Director of the Academy of the State Preventative Police victim of an armed assault. Two men forced him out of his vehicle on calle San Pedro, colonia Quinta Alta, Tijuana and stole his vehicle. Major police mobilization in the area, no arrests. BTW, El Mex is producing maps of where these assaults are taking place, at the bottom of the articles:

TEXT


- El Mex reporting one man arrested in La Mesa, Tijuana for throwing a molotov cocktail which completely destroyed the casa de cambio, "Servicios Cambiarios de S.A.". The day before, this same man was identified as the person who tried to burn down another casa de cambio in colonia Fortin de las Flores, Tijuana. Nut or anarchist? No one is saying.


TEXT


- All agencies reporting a bit of a fracas at the
"El Conquistador" Hotel in Tijuana, which housed the Federal Preventative Police. Apparently bills went unpaid of 4.5 million pesos which prompted employees of the hotel (who could not get paid as a result and 70 employees stood to lose their jobs) to blocking the gate. An update on this story today from AFN reports the Federal Public Security Secretariat will be paying at least half of this debt within the next few days.


10/21-10/22:


- AFN reporting 200 taxi cab drivers demonstrate against insecurity, this was fueled by the recent killing of one cab driver in Tijuana. There was supposed to be another demonstration on Friday, but nothing happened, maybe next week. The cab drivers are calling for more protection from the city of Tijuana.


- All agencies reporting an attempted kidnapping in Playas de Tijuana: man tries to snatch a three year old who was walking with the mother. He did grab the child but quick thinking on the part of the uncle who chased the assailant and was able to retrieve the child. Assailant was arrested.


- El Mex reporting in ROSARITO BEACH the min market Super Azul attacked and robbed by five men. Using violence the gunmen forced the butcher and cashier to the floor, robbed them and 2K dollars and assorted items. No arrests.


- AFN reports a group of at least five armed men rob the bank (unnamed) in El Soler, Tijuana. The report says the men entered the bank violently and attempted to take hostages, shots were fired. No arrests.


- Frontera reporting another armed robbery in ROSARITO BEACH, this was an electronic store located in the Pabellon shopping mall ( a few months back kidnapping at this same mall parking lot). one armed man steals 30 cellular phones, recharge cards and cash.


- AFN reports USBP arrest two Mexican citizens a roadblock checkpoint in Temecula, CA. with 17.23 Kilos of cocaine. Street value=386,200K dollars.


- All agencies reporting 400 kilos of mota seized and two arrested by the Mexican Army in what is being described as a drug transfer station in the 3rd section of Zona Rio, Tijuana. The drugs were hidden in a very large compartment of a tractor trailer which is owned by a company who deals in "pot"-tery production, three men arrested.


- El Mex reporting USBP seizes cocaine valued at 1 million dollars and arrests one woman whose identity has not been released at the Andrade-Los Algodones checkpoint east of Mexicali.


- El Mex reports another gunman arrested by Tijuana Municipal Police on the Fast Track West carrying a .380 fleet type revolver. This was Sanchez Aquirres, claiming to be a member of the Federal Police and able to carry the weapon when he was off duty.


- El Mex report in La Presa, Tijuana, Tijuana Municipal Police arrest six men after stopping their vehicle for speeding. Inside the vehicle were one .380 and one 9mm loaded, and dope.


- Of course this is old news, you've probably already read the story, Frontera and El Mex reporting 300 members of La Familia Michoacan arrested in a sweep across the United States, the result of Operation Coronado. BTW, 13 of these guys were in San Diego, 4 of them in Orange County. MSNBC says the number was 303.


- Frontera reports three armed men robbed the 7-11 on the Via Rapida Oriente, getting away with 18K dollars worth of phone cards, 700 pesos and beer. They also robbed the customers who were inside of the store. No arrests so far.


- All agencies reporting one man found executed inside of taxi on Blvd. 2000. 40 mm casing found at scene. This is a the cab driver which prompted the demonstration of cab drivers in Tijuana previously mentioned. No arrests so far.


- The Tijuana-Tecate train is running according to tijuanapress; I'll see if I can dig up more info on this, like where you park your car. I'm not sure if the train running from Campo to Tecate has included the Corrizo gorge yet, need to check that out.


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For you Tom Waits fans....


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The Links:


A new link for you guys, from Fulano, and it is great, so check it out:


TIJUANA PRESS:

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AFN:

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FRONTERA:

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EL MEXICANO:

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ZETA:

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Take care everyone.