A few weeks ago, the internet was all abuzz with rumors that a Texas ranch had been taken over by the Mexican drug cartel known as Los Zetas.  People were claiming it was a hoax just as quickly as someone else could claim it was a legitimate story. While certainly not a difficult scenario to envision given all the violence on the border at the hands of the drug cartels, with repeated staunch refusals by the Laredo Police Department to substantiate the claims, people were quick to assume it was indeed a hoax.

Well, after 16 days of repeated denials by Laredo law enforcement, it would appear that a police blotter confirms not only that this story was indeed legitimate, but also that multiple agencies responded to the threat.

Wow. Color me shocked.

The blotter transcript follows:

“On Friday 7-23-10 Laredo Webb informed that their county SWAT Team is conducting an operation in the Mines Rd. area. According to LT. Garcia with LSO (Laredo Sheriff Office) received a call from a ranch owner stating that the Zetas had taken over his ranch. As per the 17 (reporting person) he informed them that they stated La Compania (area name for Zetas) was taking the ranch and no one was permitted on the ranch without permission. SO (Sheriff Office) will have an unmarked green Ford Taurus with two officers stationed at Los Compadres and a white Chevy Tahoe with two officers stationed at Mineral Rd. The LSO (Laredo Sheriff Office) will maintain surveillance in the area and advise if action is taken. Susp (suspect) Veh (vehicle) are described as a gray or silver Audi, a BLK (black) Escalade or Navigator and a van truck with a logo of a car wash spot free on the side. Border Patrol also has their response team on scene. Also known info of BMW’s and Corvettes entering and leaving the area. Auth LT Lichtenberger if assistance is requested LPD (Laredo Police Department) will secure the outer perimeter. (07/24/10 07:42:10 NR1873)”

For anyone who is paying attention, it’s obvious that there is a media blackout in place on many subjects, and violence on the border certainly seems to be one of them. Mexican drug cartels invade the borders of our sovereign states, seize control of private property owned by American citizens and the result is a media blackout of the events?

It’s widely known that there is a major media blackout in Mexico on cartel activity because media members are threatened with violence if they report on the subject.  Why are American reporters being refused a verification of what is happening when questioning law enforcement?  Has Mexican drug cartel intimidation crossed the border and infected our law enforcement agencies?

When this story originally broke, a leader of the San Diego Minutemen, Jeff Scwilk, was quoted as saying that he’d been informed by Laredo police that a standoff was underway between the Zetas, the federal Border Patrol, and other agents. Scwilk continued “I can personally vouch that this info came in late last night from a reliable source inside the Laredo PD. There is currently a stand off between the unknown size Zeta forces and U.S. Border Patrol and local law enforcement on two ranches on our side of the Rio Grande.  The source tells us he considers this an ‘act of war’ and that the military is needed on the border now!”

The coverup on this story struck a nerve for John Sakelarides, a recently retired ICE agent.

“What do you call an invasion by foreign nationals who are armed and occupy territory belonging to a sovereign nation? An act of war. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. Anyone who is denying this is what has occurred and that it constitutes an act of war is either an idiot or is somehow involved in this act of war.”

He continues: “If they (those covering up the story) are elected representatives or government officials and they are aware that an act of war has been perpetrated against the United States, and refuse to admit it has occurred, much less do anything about it, is violating their oath of office.”

The Los Zetas drug cartel is an offshoot of the elite Mexican military trained in special operations. They formerly served as the “hit men” for the Gulf Cartel. They are led by Heriberto “El Lazca” Lazcano and the mercenary group is said to be comprised of members ranging from corrupt Mexican Federales, to politicians, to drug traffickers. The Los Zetas cartel is considered the most violent paramilitary group in Mexico by the DEA.

Local and national news agencies were hesitant to go forward with the story when it originally broke given the fact that the Laredo Police Department refused to make an official confirmation of the events.  However, the U.S. Consulate at Nuevo Laredo felt the threat was imminent enough that they posted a warning to citizens on their website:
“We have received credible reports of widespread violence occurring now between narcotics-trafficking organizations and the Mexican army in Nuevo Laredo,” the Consulate’s website indicated. “The consulate confirmed that fragmentation grenades were used in the attacks and that suspected drug-gang members had blocked several roads, adding that it advised ‘all U.S. citizens in Nuevo Laredo to remain indoors until the security situation improves.”

Now that the events have been corroborated, we’ll see if the mainstream media follows through and reports on what took place. I, for one, am happy to see that the journalist who originally broke this story and received a firestorm of criticism for it has been vindicated.

Seriously, is anyone really surprised that this story was indeed right on target?  I’m not. Not in the least.  Given all the violence and upheaval that has been taking place on our border for years, it comes as no surprise to me. Nor does it come as any surprise that our government repeatedly rolls out the propaganda machine to tell us “our borders are more secure than they’ve ever been.”  I guess if you say it long enough and loud enough you can convince the masses.

Our elected “representatives”, and I use that term very loosely these days, should be ashamed of themselves for refusing to secure our borders and keep our citizens safe. But then I suppose it’s easy too stand behind a teleprompter, poke fun at American citizens, make inappropriate jokes about the illegal immigration issue, and spit out the rhetoric when it’s not your family, friends, and livelihood at stake, Mr. President.

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