The Herrera family has also been implicated at various times in alleged drug trafficking in Los Angeles. Marshals Service. The Netflix series Narcos: Mexico centers around a Mexican drug cartel's murder and torture of Kiki Camarena, a federal narcotics agent for the United States. "With the monthly production he had, he was a strong generator of money for the organisation," he added. A total of 80 of the 130 defendants have been convicted. [7] Another attempt on Herrera's life was made on July 27, 1991, in a summer resort: hooded gunmen wearing pink bracelets shot at the people in the place, killing 17 and hurting 13 others. Market data provided by Factset. Sentence. All rights reserved. Pineda Sanchez personally negotiated agreements with drug cartel members in Mexico to launder drug profits in exchange for percentages of the laundered proceeds, keeping the largest percentages for himself and co-defendant Carlos Parra-Pedroza. The organization was being investigated by the DEA after the federal agents tipped the Mexican military which raided a 2,500 acre marijuana farm. Flix eventually succeeded in delivering the 70 tons of cocaine, but then tipped off the DEA about it, resulting in the Sylmar warehouse bust which resulted in the Cali cartel losing about 20 tons of cocaine worth $7 billion. With the last of Escobar's labs destroyed in mid-1993, the Cali cartel decide to take over Medelln. He had a younger brother named Alvaro. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigated this case. The couple's 12-year-old daughter died at the scene of the attack from a gunshot wound. He has been linked to Guatemalan businessman and political broker Gustavo Herrera (not related), who allegedly helped Otto Herrera's organization move and store drug shipments. Federal authorities said they disrupted operations of a notorious nationwide heroin, cocaine and marijuana smuggling and distribution ring Tuesday by arresting 120 persons and seizing cars, candy stores, taverns and apartment houses. Colombian Mexican police say they have captured one of the country's main producers of the illegal synthetic drug, methamphetamine. The case of Mexican Horacio Herrera - involving the sale of P12M worth of cocaine - has all the elements of . Daniel Rendon Herrera, a Columbian drug kingpin known as "Don Mario" who admitted to trafficking more than 80 tons of cocaine, pleaded guilty in federal court . November 4, 1998 (aged 47)Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia Herrera Garca's trafficking organization is very violent known to have murdered suspected informants, including one who sustained 18 gunshot wounds.[1]. McDermotts words were republished around the world,, Last week, InSight Crime published an investigation charting the story of Desafo, a 28-year-old Barrio 18 gang member who is desperate to escape gang life. Get fresh updates on organized crime from across the region delivered to your inbox. Fourth in command in the Cali cartel in 1983, Herrera helped open up multiple drug tunnels from Colombia to Mexico. [13] At the time, Herrera's crimes overshadowed any speculation regarding his sexual orientation. "When you slaughter, when you shoot a 16-year-old mother in the head and a 10-month-old child in the head, that is a very clear message to everyone that this was a cartel-style shooting, execution, and these types of things with our unsecure open border, with our soft on crime approach here in California, this is the result of some of that failed policy," he continued. Jos Orlando Henao Montoya, a former policeman who became leader of the so-called North Valley Cartel, was born on May 5, 1953, in Cartago, Colombia. As a result of the new law, a Justice Department statement said, the United States now owns all of the seized property and the burden is on the former titleholder to prove he has no knowledge that the property was used to facilitate drug transactions.. Pacho gradually loosened up to trusted associates, as evident by his relaxed attitude towards Chepe and Amado. Despite Gilberto's orders to not get into conflict with the Norte del Valle cartel, Pacho and Chepe, acting under Miguel's orders, seized control of the Buenaventura port. Other possibilities includeHorst Walther Overdick, Otto Turcios and Walter Montejo (at least two of whom were allegedly linked to Herrera and, incidentally, were arrested during his time in the US). Our work is costly and high risk. Through a largescale wiretap effort, the DEA utilized over 100 simultaneous, court-authorized wiretaps on cellular phones. Herrera was personally responsible for laundering or attempting to launder at least $1.07 million in proceeds from the sale of cartel narcotics. Herrera then made a separate deal with Guerra without Flix's knowledge. Arizona Republic. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. On 22 July 1992 Escobar murdered Kiko and Galeano after he suspected them of stealing from him. Personal Information Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriffs Office at 559-733-6218. For a time, the real Herrera was the cartel's guy in New York. 6 years imprisonment. 2023 BBC. He also warned them that Escobar could betray the brothers by not including them in his surrender plan. His father, Genaro Payn, was an operative of the Sinaloa Cartel and was arrested by Mexican security forces in 2015. He was one of the leaders of the Cali Cartel along with brothers Miguel and Gilberto Rodrguez Orejuela and Jos Santacruz Londoo, AKA Chepe. Corridos are an old Mexican tradition, narrative ballads of border crossings and other travails. Worried that Escobar would come after the Cali cartel, Gilberto had Pacho meet the Castao brothers and agree to their death squad. The United States is offering a $20 million reward for information that would lead to Quintero's arrest. Votes: 17,005 Born into Continue reading Who was Pacho. We want to sustain Latin Americas largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources. The Search Bloc arrested Miguel soon after, and Chepe and Pacho began contemplating their surrender. [4] Herrera was soon promoted to Cali cartel kingpin and given control over Jamund in the south of the Valle, and Palmira and Yumbo in the north and east of the Valle. Herrera, a 34-year-old member of the Sinaloa Cartel, lost control of the vehicle when he was shot and crashed into a traffic light post. A BOP spokesman told the website that Herrera had been "freed from his sentence," but that it was possible he was still in the custody of another government agency. Despite the hostility, both parties agreed to work together against extradition. Watch on. The site is secure. Drug Trafficking. People killed by the Norte del Valle cartel, Pacho is the only character to appear in all the seasons of. This biographical article related to crime is a stub. Full name Fictional? The property was seized under provisions of the 1984 Comprehensive Crime Control Act, which allows the government to use civil courts to obtain forfeiture of property allegedly used in drug transactions. Officers believe there are two suspects tied to the homicides, and the Tulare County Sheriff's office is offering a $10,000 award for any information that leads to an arrest in the case. However, after the cartel was involved in the 1985 torture and murder of a U.S. drug . And Other Stories, 112 pp., $13.95. It measured 1.70 meters of height and he was known to have an aggressive character. Criminal charge. Rappler.com. The Cali cartel godfathers reunited in prison, and then agreed to support Gilberto's surrender deal. Pacho was frequently seen wearing flamboyant silk shirts, and had a sizeable collection of motorcycles and sports cars with a particular affinity for Corvettes. Sinoloa Cartel. Gilberto's plan failed when Escobar successfully lured Colonel Carrillo into an ambush and killed him. how to walk a human a dogs guide. They made sure that they were going to kill everyone in that home. Why Did the US Release One of Guatemala's Biggest Drug Traffickers? Hlmer Herrera - Wikipedia Gerda Salazar was born in Colombia, and she became the mother of several future Norte del Valle Cartel members. When asked about who would deal with transport after Flix had Matta arrested, Herrera was introduced to Amado Carrillo Fuentes. His birthdate is often reported as 19 April 1966 or 8 December 1962), based on government-issued passports found in his home after his arrest. He is alleged to have close links to Mexico's most-wanted drug trafficker, the fugitive Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Benjamn Arellano Flix (Alfonso Dosal) Benjamn becomes a lead character in Narcos: Mexico in Season 2, after Flix Gallardo's brief disappearance following Camarena's death. In the late 1970s, the illegal cocaine trade became a major moneymaking opportunity throughout the world. And this was known to then US Attorney General Edward Meese in 1987 one year prior to Carlos . His brother, Ruben Herrera, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison, was frequently assigned to stay at the ranch, prosecutors said, to guard the drugs, accept deliveries and make sales to the more trusted customers. No Living in the United States, he also became a jeweler and precious metals broker until he began selling cocaine in New York City. From 2011 to 2014, Parra-Pedroza personally managed the movement of more than $100 million in drug proceeds from the U.S. to cartel members in Mexico who controlled the drug trade on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. In 1991, Escobar surrendered to Eduardo Sandoval after the newly-elected President Csar Gaviria's government repealed the extradition treaty with the United States. "However they all knew this existed.". Gilberto convinced The Lion to betray Escobar, and turn over his Miami operations to the Cali cartel instead. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Its origins can be traced to the Guadalajara cartel, which was one of Mexico's largest crime organizations in the early 1980s. The leader of the money laundering organization, Diego Pineda Sanchez, of Guadalajara, Mexico, was sentenced last fall to 15 years in federal prison for laundering more than $61 million in drug proceeds. A total of 47 properties were seized, as was $1.5 million in cash, 1,000 pounds of marijuana, nearly 40 pounds of cocaine and nearly 20 pounds of heroin. Eight criminal organizations have become the most powerful, feared, and fastest-growing in Mexico. The hit job was reportedly in response to the Saturday morning execution of Santiago Eduardo Payn in Culiacn, Sinaloa. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling or texting 559-725-4194 or through email attcso@tipnow.com. Episode 5: What's it like to be a special agent with HSI? During the conflict, he financed the Los Pepes death squad which targeted Escobar and his associates, which eventually led to Escobar's death in 1993. On Tuesday, federal agents seized 31 houses and apartment houses, two gasoline stations, two candy stores, five taverns, two restaurants, two jewelry stores, a flower shop, two mobile homes and so many automobiles at various sites that they could not give the total number. But with the sentencing Thursday of 15 members of the family organization to terms ranging from probation to 18 years in prison, law-enforcement officials believe they have dealt a blow to the multimillion-dollar narcotics smuggling ring headquartered in Chicago. Federal authorities said that the Herrera organization is made up of more than 2,000 persons and that it controls the alleged drug operation from the poppy fields of Mexicos Sierra Madre to the streets of major cities. Pablo Escobar was gunned down by the Search Bloc on 3 December 1993, and Pacho, along with the Cali cartel leaders and the Castao brothers held a celebratory party. Pacho jokingly suggested to turn Judy over to Pablo, and dump her in the same ditch as Pablo. Herrera recognized that this would drive his organization out of business, and demanded more time from Flix. Money is the lifeblood that allows cartels to poison U.S. streets and wage war on innocent men, women, and children on both sides of the border, Assistant U.S. He also began a bachelor's degree in business administration. In Mexico, Amado unsuccessfully tried numerous times to convince Pacho to reconsider the surrender deal, as he felt that the newly signed NAFTA between the United States and Mexico would be immensely helpful for the drug trafficking business. The production of methamphetamine is on the rise in Mexico, with huge amounts smuggled into the US. [1], Herrera grew up in the Colombian town of Palmira, in the Valle del Cauca Department. Tulare County sheriff warns the "cartel-style execution" of an entire family was "intentional" after six people, including a teen mom and baby, were killed. The Medellin Cartel, an organized group of drug suppliers and smugglers based in the city . "They went through this house methodically, very slowly. He started his quest for revenge by killing Norte del Valle cartel co-leader Ivan Urdinola Grajales with a car bomb outside a church. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. herrera family drug cartel. Bailee Hill is an associate editor with Fox News Digital. The gunman succeeded, and Pacho died on 4 November 1998. The first episode of Season 3 shows how Helmer "Pacho" Herrera kept business booming in the cartel's "crown jewel . In order to keep his organization relevant, Flix told him that he wanted to smuggle 70 tons of cocaine in one go. Biographical Information Without these ill-gotten gains, the traffickers could not finance their organizations. With Los Pepes attacks rapidly increasing, Pablo was forced to leave his family and go into hiding. The Herrera family has also been implicated at various times in alleged drug trafficking in Los Angeles. At the close of Operation Kingpin, nearly 100 traffickers were arrested, and more than $20 million in cash and assets, and over 2.5 tons of cocaine seized. Gaviria was shot and killed by Horacio Carrillo and his team of vigilante police officers. In 2001, alone, his organization moved approximately 12 metric tons of cocaine, and may have the ability to smuggle as much as 2 tons of cocaine into the United States each month. Narcotics Rewards Program: Otto Roberto Herrera-Garcia, Video shows 53 inmates escaping Mexican prison, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Otto_Roberto_Herrera_Garca&oldid=1106105275, This page was last edited on 23 August 2022, at 06:46. The refineries, in turn, transmitted the cash value of the gold to Parra-Pedroza and co-conspirators in Mexico. A 21-year-old woman identified asJoselyn Sara, an adult male and three other children were taken to a medical facility and hospitalized for gun shot wounds. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. This led to the creation of Los Pepes. Kiko's wife Judy Moncada swore revenge against Escobar for murdering her husband, and along with her brother Jaime Mendoza and Escobar's head of security Diego Murillo Bejarano broke away from the Medelln cartel. Market data provided by Factset. [7][8] The attack was attributed to the Medellin cartel, and particularly to Pablo Escobar, who apparently blamed Herrera for a car bomb which exploded on January 13, 1988, in the Monaco apartment building owned by Escobar in one of the most affluent areas in the city of Medelln. In response, the cartel leaders Gilberto Rodrguez Orejuela, Miguel Rodrguez Orejuela and Jos Santacruz Londoo decided to make Herrera a leading partner. Drug trafficking and money laundering. Upon Flix . Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter', Why half of India's urban women stay at home. Read about our approach to external linking. [7], Once in prison, Herrera reportedly changed his lifestyle and devoted himself to football, becoming the sports organizer in the prison and sponsoring football tournaments. However, the brevity of the time he spent in US prison may have been the result of a deal with authorities, in which he provided information in exchange for an early release. "The cartel brings the drugs into our area and the gangs distribute them. Police said two men on a motorcycle fired at least a dozen shots into an Unico branch in the early hours, and left a message on a piece of carboard that read, "Messi, we're waiting for you . With the death of Pablo Escobar in the second season of Netflix's Narcos , the show had to look for a new set of characters to fill out the series. ", BIDEN'S 'OPEN BORDER' CALLED OUT BY SHERIFF AFTER KILLINGS OF MOM AND BABY: US CITIZENS 'ARE IN DANGER'. Prensa Libre reported that Guatemalan authorities planned to request information from the US about the early release. harbor freight pay rate california greene prairie press police beat greene prairie press police beat The sentencing hearing Thursday followed the arrest of 130 persons in Chicago and Indiana last July by FBI and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents, which brought to a conclusion a two-year investigation. Herrera also ran one of the "most sophisticated and profitable money laundering operations", according to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. By December 1992, Pablo had lost most of his lieutenants and many of his labs were shut down. This week, InSight Crime co-founder, Jeremy McDermott, was among experts featured in anEl Pas podcaston the progress of Colombias nascent peace process. The leader of a drug cartel busts out of a courthouse and speeds to the Mexican border, where the only thing in his path is a sheriff and his inexperienced staff. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! In 1975, and 1978, Herrera was arrested on distribution charges in New York City for selling cocaine.[2][3][4]. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. KINGDOM CONS by Yuri Herrera. [6] Although he was supposed to be in the maximum security wing of the prison, Herrera visited the other wings, where he would meet with his lawyers.