Laredogate Part 4

Evidence released in Laredo Los Zetas Ranch Seizure story
A five part Digger's Realm exclusive
Why was this story covered up?
Laredo PD Admits Police Blotter Evidence Is Real LaredoGate
LaredoGate Archives


LaredoGate: Vicious Attacks And Outright Lies About Authors And Facts
By Digger / August 10, 2010 02:36 PM Bookmark and Share

On July 24, 2010 at 4:11 AM I broke a story that incoming information indicated there was a seizure of two ranches in Laredo, Texas by the notoriously brutal and highly trained Los Zetas hit squad. Los Zetas was formerly working as enforcers for the Gulf Cartel in Mexico, but in March had split with the cartel and is currently at war with them. Whether it was a small group of Los Zetas was not known. The incident was believed to have started the night before, but there was no information at the time of whether it was an ongoing incident or had already been resolved within hours.

(Update: August 13, 2010 7PM : Laredo PD has confirmed that the evidence below is real )

At the time I was tipped to the story I was not certain to the veracity of the story. The information was coming from one source within law enforcement. The story carried within it a disclaimer that it was unconfirmed at that time. The initial "tip" came from Jeff Schwilk of the San Diego Minutemen, but it was not his source. The sources were from Kimberly Dvorak of the San Diego Examiner. The deliberate lies in many reports and stories critical of the truth of the incident, is just one example of the distortion that has been spread on how this story developed. Those calling the story a hoax or outright lie try to state that the sources were Minutemen and that they were just trying to stir things up. Some even went as far as to claim that militias were making the story up, though militias were not mentioned in the story. The truth is that none of the law enforcement sources were Jeff Schwilk's; he simply contacted me with a tip and pointed me to Dvorak.

As time went on, individuals contacted law enforcement in the area and were receiving a mixture of curious denials and brush-offs. This was just a smattering of attempts to confirm or deny the story. Local media was also contacted to find out if they had any information. They stated that they had no information and seemed uninterested in pursuing any. The story was virtually ignored by many and until further word was received I did not think there was any need to push it nationally. I was simply passing on the word of information I had received to others.

We now know that there was a concerted effort to cover up the incident. Los Zetas indeed did take over ranches along the border. Kimberly Dvorak has released information passed to her, including a photo of the police blotter for the incident when it occurred. The blotter shows that multiple law enforcement agencies were notified and responded to the incident near Mines Rd and Minerales in Laredo, Texas. Below is a photo taken of that exact police blotter.

The blotter states:
"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 business) 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)"

In the video below you will see a joint press conference of law enforcement in the Laredo area to denounce the reports of the Los Zetas Ranch story. Note that they held this press conference on July 29, 2010 - five days after the incident and five days after the report that is in the police blotter. These people at the press conference are lying. Who they are trying to cover-up for is not known. Is it themselves, a local politician or does it go even higher?