Cartels, Conspiracies, and Camarena

Episode 71: The Extradition of Ovidio Guzman -- What Happened and What It Means

In this Episode, we look at the September 15 extradition of Ovidio Guzman and his plea of not guilty in a Chicago federal court.  We also examine the impacts his prosecution may have had, or later have, on the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Chapitos, the flow of drugs, including fentanyl, into the U.S., and our understanding of the growth and survival of cartels in Mexico.  Finally, we discuss the potential for retribution and a possible revenge warning from Ovidio's brother, Ivan.  

Episode 70: Intriguing Observations from Additional Testimony in the Camarena Criminal Trials

In this Episode, we conclude our look at the testimony in the 1990 and 1992 criminal trials by looking at some miscellaneous testimony from the 1990 trial.  In particular, we look at testimony regarding the identities of the major traffickers in Guadalajara at the time of the Camarena abduction, the capture of Caro Quintero in Costa Rica, the discovery of a photograph of Agent Camarena in the home of Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, statements from Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros after his arrest, and the identification of Caro Quintero as one of the interrogators of Agent Camarena from the interrogation tapes. 
We also look at the trial testimony regarding the confrontation at the Guadalajara airport as Caro Quintero attempted to flee the city and contrast that testimony with the wild claims made by Agent Berrellez in press reports on the event.  

Episode 69 -- The 1990 Trial Testimony of Hector Berrellez

In this Episode, we examine the testimony of Hector Berrellez in the 1990 criminal trial (Zuno I), including testimony relating to statements made by Juan Jose Bernabe Ramirez about an argument between Caro and Fonseca at Lope de Vega.
Most importantly, though, we use Agent Berrellez's testimony to further analyze the role of Garate Bustamonte in securing witnesses for the investigation and prosecution and to scrutinize the curious timing of Cervantes Santos's allegations against Ruben Zuno-Arce and his disclosures of alleged kidnapping planning meetings.

Episode 68: The Testimony of Lawrence Victor Harrison Part 2 and a New ”Claim” from Hector Berrellez.

In this Episode, we examine the testimony of Lawrence Victor Harrison in the 1992 Zuno II trial.  Among other issues, this testimony provides an opportunity to consider the government's use of paid witnesses and the critical role of Garate Bustamonte in securing those witness.  
We then look at a "new" claim from Agent Berrellez on why, according to him, Agent Camarena was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered. Significantly, we compare this claim with prior claims by Agent Berrellez and consider the reasons they differ.  

Episode 67: The Testimony of the Enigma that was Lawrence Victor Harrison

Lawrence Victor Harrison was a man of several names and many (possible) roles -- Berkley student, Mexican lawyer, communications guru to the traffickers and Mexican police, and even CIA agent.  
In this Episode, we break down the trial testimony of Harrison and see what it says about the traffickers and their relationships with each other, the limited connection Harrison said Ruben Zuno Arce had to the traffickers, and the role of Antonio Garate Bustamonte in connecting Harrison to the DEA and his coming to the U.S.
Finally, and most strikingly, we detail what Harrison may have said about his intimate knowledge of the kidnapping and murder of Agent Camarena and question the silence of the DEA and the prosecution in the face of Harrison's claims.  

Episode 66 -- The Troubling Trial Testimonies of Traffickers Enrique Plascencia Aguilar and Frank Retamoza

We continue our examination of the transcripts from the Zuno I and Zuno II trials by considering the testimonies of traffickers Enrique Plascencia Aguilar and Frank Retamoza.
Plascencia's testimony includes details about the events at La Longosta that may be seen as inconsistent with the accepted narrative.  In addition, his testimony regarding a December 1984 meeting is also inconsistent not only with other witnesses at both trials, but also directly at odds with allegations and claims in The Last Narc.
In the case of Frank Retamoza, the government gave him broad immunity and paid him and his family more than $900,000, despite his admission to multiple acts in aid of the traffickers, including taking $150 million from the U.S. to Felix Gallardo in Mexico.  Curiously, the government made this arrangement despite the fact the Retamoza offered no direct testimony against either defendant on trial in Zuno II.  

Episode 65: The Zuno Trials -- A Tale of Two Prosecutions

This week we start a comprehensive review of the two Zuno trials using trial transcripts to look at the claims made by the prosecution and the actual, unfiltered testimony of government and defense witnesses.
In this Episode, we examine the government's opening statements in the two trials and consider the intrinsically contradictory nature of the cases presented.  We also demonstrate how the government wholly failed to fulfill the promises made in opening statements with respect to the case against Dr. Alvarez Machain, and consider the impact of the now suspect hair and fiber evidence presented by the government.  

Episode 64 -- The ”Secret” Roles of Javier Barba Hernandez and Tomas Morlet in the Camarena Case

As we continue to address many of the unanswered questions regarding the kidnapping, interrogation, and murder of Agent Camarena, in this Episode we look at the possible roles of lawyer turned drug trafficker Javier Barba Hernandez and DFS Agent Tomas Morlet.  
In addition to looking at the evidence connecting these men to the kidnapping and interrogation of Agent Camarena, we discuss the significance of this evidence on our consideration of the case as a whole and how it can inform our analysis of the unanswered and perplexing questions that remain all these years after Agent Camarena's tragic death.   

Episode 63 -- An Academic Analysis of the Long-Term Survival of the Sinaloa Cartel

The longevity of the Sinaloa Cartel, when other cartels have come and gone or splintered, is the subject of a recent academic article that we discuss in this Episode.  
Specifically, we look at the factors that make the CDS an excellent case study. Next, we consider the article's conclusion that four types of governance practices by the CDS contribute to its resilience: judicial, financial, political, and regulatory.
Finally, we ask some questions about the article's conclusions and consider their application to the current CDS, including the divisions between Los Chapitos and the El Mayo faction of the CDS.  
 

Episode 62 -- Public Corruption in Mexico and a Discussion of Manuel Bartlett Diaz

Continuing our discussion from last week, in this Episode, we analyze various statistics, surveys, and other data evidencing the corruption in Mexico and the public's perception of their safety and well-being.  We also look at the Mexico State Rule of Law Index, which not only reflects the adherence to the rule of law in the Mexican state but is also being utilized as a public policy tool by most Mexican state governments.  
We also look briefly at the career of Manuel Bartlett Diaz and the allegations of corruption against him, in addition to the claims of some of his direct involvement in the abduction, interrogation, and/or murder of Agent Camarena.