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US arrests Mexican 'drug lord' in horse racing ring Mexico drug gang 'used US horse racing as front'
(about 7 hours later)
US federal prosecutors say they have arrested the brother of a suspected Mexican drug lord and dismantled a major money-laundering operation involving horse racing. US officials say they have dismantled a major money-laundering ring used by Mexico's Zetas drug gang to funnel drug proceeds through American horse racing.
Jose Trevino Morales was one of seven people arrested in raids in Oklahama and New Mexico. Police raided a number of locations including a racetrack in New Mexico.
He is the brother of a suspected leader of the Zetas cartel, Miguel Angel Trevino, who remains at large. Among several people arrested was Jose Trevino, a brother of a suspected Zetas leader Miguel Angel Trevino, who has been indicted but remains at large.
Fourteen people in total have been indicted. US authorities say the case shows how Mexican gangs are able to infiltrate legitimate American businesses.
The charges were made public on Tuesday after dozens of federal agents raided a New Mexico race track and a ranch in Oklahoma. Jose Trevino and his wife, Zulema, were arrested at their stables near Lexington, south of Oklahoma City.
They say that Jose Trevino spent millions of dollars on some of the best racehorses available. Federal agents also made arrests in California and Texas, as well as the Ruidoso Downs racetrack in New Mexico.
He is accused of using drug money to buy, train, breed and race American horses. A total of 14 people have been indicted with money-laundering.
Prosecutors say Miguel Angel and Jose, along with another brother Oscar Omar, used drugs money to buy American quarter horses, which race over short distances.
Top jockeys
Some of the horses carried names with drug references, such as Corona Coronita Cartel and Number One Cartel.Some of the horses carried names with drug references, such as Corona Coronita Cartel and Number One Cartel.
The company, Tremor Enterprises, was quite successful with some of its animals winning important races in the US. The company that allegedly acted as a front, Tremor Enterprises, was quite successful with some of its horses winning important races in the US.
Richard Weber, chief of the US Internal Revenue Service's criminal investigation, told the AFP news agency that the case highlights the capacity of Mexican drug gangs "to establish footholds in legitimate US industries". And success on the track meant that Jose Trevino was able to hire top trainers and jockeys, the New York Times reported.
"This attack on the Zetas' most profitable money laundering schemes is an essential front in the war on drugs and will financially disrupt this violent international criminal organisation," he said. "This case highlights the capacity of Mexican drug gangs "to establish footholds in legitimate US industries," said Richard Weber, chief of the US Internal Revenue Service's criminal investigation division.
"This attack on the Zetas' most profitable money laundering schemes is an essential front in the war on drugs and will financially disrupt this violent international criminal organisation."
The Zetas are one of the most powerful and ruthless drug cartels in Mexico.The Zetas are one of the most powerful and ruthless drug cartels in Mexico.
Miguel Angel Trevino, known as "Z40", is believed to be the leader of the organisation. They were formed by deserters from the Mexican special forces and originally worked as hitmen for the Gulf Cartel.
Miguel Angel Trevino, known as "Z40", is believed to be a key figure in the organisation.
He and Oscar Omar Trevino are thought to be in Mexico.