Potential horse headache looms over federal swoop
US authorities may terminate upwards amongst a major equine headache every bit they proceed to unravel the workings of a quarter Equus caballus racing performance alleged to convey been laundering drug coin for a Mexican criminal offense syndicate.
The authorities this calendar week took custody of 12 abandoned horses afterward their trainers refused to proceed caring for them.
In all, more than 400 horses were involved inward the performance across several states.
A federal grand jury inward the Western District of Texas has returned an indictment charging fourteen people, including the leader of the Los Zetas criminal syndicate inward Mexico, Miguel Angel Trevino-Morales – also known every bit “40” – in addition to his brothers, Oscar Omar Trevino-Morales (“42”) in addition to Jose Trevino-Morales.
They are charged inward connectedness amongst an alleged conspiracy to wash Los Zetas drug distribution proceeds through the Equus caballus operation.
Federal authorities are seeking forfeiture of the horses inward the case, including several top-performing animals.
Prosecutors are hoping a previously issued protective social club would forcefulness companies used to forepart the alleged performance to pay for the ongoing help of many horses involved. However, the need to seize the 12 horses is a sign it may non endure manifestly sailing.
Authorities convey estimated it would convey terms close $US200,000 a calendar month to help for the hundreds of horses inward the States of America operation, spread across Oklahoma, Texas, New United Mexican States in addition to California.
They volition endure concerned close preserving the value of the animals inward anticipation of their forfeiture in addition to eventual sale.
The indictment, returned on May 30, 2012, in addition to unsealed on Tuesday, charges the defendants amongst i count of conspiracy to wash monetary instruments.
The indictment alleges that, since 2008, Miguel in addition to Oscar Trevino-Morales would straight portions of the volume cash generated from the sale of illegal narcotics through the Los Zetas cartel to Jose in addition to Zulema Trevino for purchasing, training, breeding in addition to racing quarter horses inward the US.
The indictment identifies millions of dollars worth of transactions inward New Mexico, Oklahoma, California in addition to Texas involving a large number of quarter horses.
Jose Trevino, Zulema Trevino in addition to others used “front” companies to conceal in addition to disguise the truthful ownership of the quarter horses.
FBI Special Agent inward Charge Armando Fernandez said the investigation revealed the varied attempts past times Mexican drug cartels to farther their criminal enterprises past times whatever way necessary.
“The FBI in addition to its partners stand upwards ready to fight all efforts past times transnational criminal organizations to undermine our national safety wherever in addition to whenever they may endure uncovered.”
The indictment seeks the forfeiture of numerous quarter horses, including Tempting Dash, winner of the Dash for Cash at the Lone Star Park racetrack inward Grand Prairie, Texas, on Oct 24, 2009; Mr Piloto, the $US1 1000000 All American Futurity winner at Ruidoso Downs on Labor Day, 2010; Dashin Follies; Coronita Cartel; in addition to Separate Fire.
The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of farm in addition to ranch equipment, horse-racing equipment, existent estate inward Lexington, Oklahoma, in addition to inward Bastrop County, Texas; in addition to funds inward 3 depository fiscal establishment accounts allegedly used inward the defendants’ scheme.
The indictment also seeks $US20 million, representing the sum of coin derived from the defendants’ scheme.
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