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FM AMCONSUL MONTERREY
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INFO RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 4875
RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RUEABND/DEA HQ WASHDC
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RUEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/HQ USNORTHCOM
RUEHMC/AMCONSUL MONTERREY 9395

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MONTERREY 000250 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC SNAR CASC KCRM PHUM KIPR PGOV MX
SUBJECT: MEXICAN MILITARY CONTINUING TO ARREST LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS 
IN NUEVO LEON 
 
REF: MONTERREY 0213 
 
MONTERREY 00000250  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU)  Summary. In the last four weeks the Mexican military 
has stepped up their operations in Nuevo Leon resulting in high 
profile arrests of corrupt police officers and large seizures. 
While the military operations coincide with stronger rhetoric 
from President Calderon and there are allegations he is using 
the military for political gain, in Nuevo Leon recent polls show 
there has been no effect on the races in the upcoming July 5 
elections.  The string of military successes is supported by 
residents - especially the rounding up of dirty police officers 
- and is likely to continue.  However, the attempted kidnapping 
of the Monterrey's Overseas Security Council (OSAC) President 
shows that the cartels are still able to flaunt their power in 
the region.  End Summary. 
 
 
 
Military Continues Clean Up of Local Police 
 
 
 
¶2.  (U)  The Mexican military and federal police have entered a 
fourth week of raids of local police stations in Nuevo Leon. 
The military and federal police began arresting local police 
officers on June 1 based on payoff lists found during drug 
seizures the previous month.  The raids have resulted in the 
arrests of nearly 100 police officers - including some high 
ranking officials (See Reftel).  While some of the officers and 
almost of the police commanders have been released, pending an 
investigation, most remain in police custody awaiting formal 
charges.  Of those still in custody, 25 claim they have been 
tortured by the military to providing confessions.  A few of the 
officers did show visible signs of injuries and the claims are 
being investigated by the National Human Rights Commission. 
 
 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  The largest daily newspaper, El Norte, reported that 
the military recovered another list with 300 names of an police 
officers during a June 23 raid on a safe house.  However, Nuevo 
Leon's Secretary of Public Security denied the list existed in a 
June 24 statement.  Unlike previous lists, El Norte reported the 
recent list contains names from the State of Nuevo Leon SWAT 
unit and ministerial police.  If the new list does exist, it 
would be especially damaging as the ministerial police agency is 
the agency responsible for investigating drug related crimes, 
including the police officers arrested in previous raids. 
 
 
 
Military Crackdown on the Cartels Not Limited to Narcotics 
 
 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  On June 17, Mexican military forces arrested high 
ranking Gulf Cartel member Gabriel `El Gaby' Ayala, also often 
referred to as the `czar of pirated goods,' and 13 others in 
Monterrey.  As part of the raid, the military closed down ten of 
Ayala's production sites and seized five tons worth of illegal 
music, movie and software discs.  In addition to the sale of 
pirated goods, Ayala is reported to have earned nearly US$2 
million per month through extortion of local merchants. 
Previous raids of pirated goods conducted by local police 
officers often focused only on seizing illegal goods at the 
street level.  This recent arrest underscores the direct link 
between drug trafficking organizations and pirated merchandise, 
and could be a positive sign the military will take on the 
ringleaders of IPR violations. 
 
 
 
Public Support Strong - Military Action Apolitical 
 
 
 
¶5.  (U)  The public remains supportive of the military's effort 
to clean up the local police forces, especially after a tense 
standoff on June 8 in the Monterrey suburb of San Nicolas 
between federal and local police forces.  During the 
confrontation, local and federal police officers pointed guns at 
one another threatening to fire.  No one was injured in the 
standoff but the images of the dueling police officers shocked a 
city already shaken by increasing drug violence.  The following 
day, military forces began seizing the assault rifles and 
cellular phones of local police forces to prevent future 
altercations.  The public supports the raids despite the news of 
potential human rights abuses against the arrested police 
 
MONTERREY 00000250  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
officers.  Trying to capture the popularity of the military, the 
local PAN political party has even proposed using military 
officers to lead local municipal police forces. 
 
 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  With local and federal midterm elections only 10 days 
away, the increase in military operations and a sense of 
increasing violence has not had an impact on the electorate. 
The two major political parties, the PAN and PRI, will likely 
hold on to the same number of federal deputy seats as they 
currently hold (PAN 9 to the PRI's 6); the gubernatorial race 
remains too close to call as it has been for several months; and 
the control of the city halls of the largest towns in Nuevo Leon 
will not likely switch to different parties.   The national 
`vote none of the above' campaign which is capturing the 
frustration the public feels towards the political parties in 
some parts of Mexico has gained little traction in Nuevo Leon. 
 
 
 
But Still Security is Lacking . . . 
 
 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  Notwithstanding the military's achievements over the 
past month, much remains to be done.  Emblematic is a recent 
incident from last week.  Gulf Cartel members attempted to 
kidnap the regional head of security for the railroad company 
Kansas City Southern (KCS), Raul Falcon, on June 19.  Falcon 
also serves as the president of the local chapter of OSAC.  The 
likely captors attempted to surround Falcon at his office in 
Matamoros near the U.S. border but he was able to escape and 
flee to the United States.  Falcon was responsible for the 
recent interdiction of two large drug shipments on KCS trains 
and this is the most likely motive for his kidnapping.  Post RSO 
has spoken to Falcon since the kidnapping attempt and has 
learned that he has resigned from his position at KCS.  His 
current whereabouts are unknown. 
 
 
 
¶8.  (SBU)  Comment.  The Mexican military has clearly been more 
active in recent months and the offensive will likely continue 
based on strong public support.  While the arrest of corrupt 
police officers is welcome news for the public, the arrests have 
demoralized the remaining police officers.  The arrests have 
also caused a vacuum of leadership in the local police forces 
that has created additional uncertainty.  This uncertainly will 
continue until the newly elected governor and local mayors take 
office on October 4 and are able to install their new law 
enforcement directors.  End Comment. 
WILLIAMSON