OC Report: Underreported Violence At The Border, A Grizzly Discovery And A Kinahan Update (8/29/24)

The Epstein Chronicles

Despite the arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a key leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, the drug trafficking operations are expected to continue with minimal disruption. Zambada had been preparing for a potential exit by gradually delegating responsibilities to his sons and other trusted members of the cartel, ensuring a seamless transition in leadership. The Sinaloa Cartel remains a robust and diversified organization, with multiple factions like Los Chapitos and Los Mayitos operating independently in different regions. These factions control critical drug trafficking routes and maintain established networks with suppliers and distributors.
The cartel's operational resilience is also supported by its ability to adapt to leadership changes without significant loss of control over its territories and drug routes. Experts believe that while there may be some internal power struggles or adjustments, these are unlikely to disrupt the overall flow of drugs into the United States. The cartel's established networks, alliances with other criminal groups, and ongoing control of key territories will continue to facilitate the northward movement of drugs. Furthermore, the cartel has a history of strategic adaptations in response to law enforcement actions, suggesting that the arrest of El Mayo is just another event in its long history of overcoming challenges
Segment 2:
The Mexican government has been underreporting the violence occurring in the border state of
Tamaulipas, particularly in cities like Matamoros. This underreporting has raised concerns both within Mexico and in the United States. Despite frequent shootings, street blockades, and reports of extortion and kidnappings by cartels, official crime statistics often do not reflect the full extent of the violence. This discrepancy is partly due to political reasons, such as maintaining a positive public image and avoiding economic repercussions like decreased tourism and foreign investment​.
Local residents and business owners in Tamaulipas have expressed frustration over the government's failure to accurately report the situation, which they believe downplays the threats they face daily from organized crime. Moreover, there are reports of extrajudicial killings and disappearances, further complicating the security landscape. The lack of transparent and comprehensive reporting by the government makes it difficult to address the root causes of the violence and hampers efforts to seek justice and accountability​.
Segment 3:
Volunteers from the group Colectivo Amor por los Desaparecidos (For the Love of the Disappeared Collective) discovered human remains in a suspected cartel "kitchen" near the Reynosa-Matamoros highway in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The group notified authorities after finding bone fragments exposed to heat, a common practice used by cartels to destroy evidence after killing their victims. These locations are often referred to as "kitchens" due to the use of fire to dispose of bodies.
Two sites were identified: one near kilometer 85 of the Reynosa-Matamoros highway and another at Sierrita farm, west of Matamoros. Authorities recovered four sets of bones and 54 bone fragments from the first site, along with seven steel drums containing bone fragments at the second site. The use of fire to reduce bodies to bones is a known tactic among cartels to conceal murders. The Attorney General’s Office has stated that DNA testing will be conducted on the bones to help identify the victims, but this process is expected to be lengthy and complex.
This discovery underscores the ongoing violence and human rights abuses in the region, as volunteers and community groups continue to search for missing relatives amid persistent cartel violence. The findings were reported in August 2024 and highlight the efforts of local collectives in uncovering these hidden crimes and working with authorities to seek justice for the missing persons and their families.
Segment 4:
Liam Byrne and Thomas Kavanagh, both linked to the Kinahan cartel, are preparing for a trial in the UK on charges of attempting to acquire firearms and ammunition. The trial follows extensive investigations by the UK's National Crime Agency, often compared to the FBI, which also led to Byrne’s extradition from Spain. Kavanagh, already serving a 21-year sentence for previous drug trafficking offenses, faces additional legal challenges as both men plead not guilty to the new charges. The prosecution plans to use intercepted communications as key evidence in the case​.
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source:
Fentanyl will flow north despite arrest of 'El Mayo,' expert says | Border Report (counton2.com)
Mexican Border State Hiding News of Raging Cartel Violence (breitbart.com)
Volunteers find bones in suspected cartel 'kitchen' | Border Report
Trial date set for Kinahan Cartel chief Liam Byrne hours after cousin Liam Roe’s death - SundayWorld.com
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