Five tons of drugs seized in blow against cartel

Military detains 17 people in Tijuana, Mexicali
Por: Omar Millán 15 Junio 2011 @ 7:05 am
Tamaño: Aumentar Tamaño de Letra Disminuir Tamaño de Letra
The Mexican army on Tuesday displayed 600 packages of drugs worth $15 million at the Morelos base in Tijuana. File Photo
Tijuana – The commander of Baja California’s Second Military zone, Gen. Gilberto Landeros, announced Tuesday the seizure of illegal drugs worth more than $15 million, which he called a major blow to the Sinaloa cartel.
The two dozen reporters at his press conference, however, were more interested in what he had to say about Jorge Hank Rhon, whose house he ordered searched on June 4.
Federal authorities said the military conducted the search after three men who had been detained said an arsenal could be found at that house. The search turned up 88 weapons and nearly 10,000 live rounds and Hank Rhon and eight others were detained.
That’s why, a few hours after a judge ordered them released for insufficient evidence, casting doubt on these types of military operations and the anonymous tips that often lead to them, the questions about the case hung in the air as well as the smell of marijuana emanating from the more than 600 packages displayed at the Morelos base.
Landeros, however, avoided questions on the subject, saying he did not want to interfere with the continuing investigations.
He did, however, appear to be sending an indirect message when he said, “The success of military operations in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking is the result of the fundamental cooperation of the citizenry through its anonymous complaints that leads to a greater confidence in the Mexican army and Mexican air force.
“We will continue to respond to anonymous tips with energy and care. We will go where we are called to go. We analyze the information and we proceed based on the law,” Landeros said.
One reporter pressed the commander, asking if Hank Rhon’s detention followed the law. He responded, “Yes, definitely,” and called an end to the press conference.
At the event he announced the confiscation in Tijuana of 10,694 pounds of marijuana, 11 pounds of marijuana seeds and 7.2 pounds of crystal methamphetamine. He said that 11 people had been detained, and two rifles, two guns, one magazine and 110 live rounds had been confiscated.
In Mexicali, meanwhile, six people had been detained and 69.5 pounds of cocaine had been seized, along with one rifle, one gun and a magazine.
The commander said the drugs had been seized in various operations June 11 to 13 and those detained had indicated that they belonged to the Sinaloa cartel.

Man Charged In Machete Attack

Victim Cut On Arms, Torso
POSTED: 10:35 am EDT June 13, 2011
UPDATED: 10:50 am EDT June 13, 2011

FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. -- A 39-year-old man is facing assault charges after Forsyth County deputies said he used a machete to cut another man during an argument Sunday evening at a home on Baux Mountain Road.
Deputies said when officers arrived at the home at about 8:35 p.m., they found a man suffering from cuts on his arm and torso, and another man, Laurantino Gonzalez, holding the machete.
Deputies said the two were arguing when Gonzalez got the machete and attacked the other man.
Gonzalez was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. He was also being held on an Immigration and Naturalization Service detainer on suspicion he is in the United States illegally.
He was being held in the Forsyth County Jail on $10,000 bail.
The victim, who wasn't identified, was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Deputies didn't say why the two were arguing.
Read more: http://www.wxii12.com/news/28219241/detail.html#ixzz1PAcJvoYL