Unidentified law enforcement personnel take a horse away from the stable area at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino in Ruidoso, N.M., Tuesday morning, June 12, 2012. An indictment unsealed Tuesday accused Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, a key figure in the Zetas drug operation, of setting up a horse operation that a younger brother operated from a ranch near Lexington, Okla., south of Oklahoma City. Millions of dollars went through the operation, which bought, trained, bred and raced quarter horses throughout the southwest United States, including the famed Ruidoso Downs track in New Mexico. (AP Photo/The El Paso Times, Mike Curran)
HORSES confiscated in a criminal case as “evidence” are typically taken care of pending the outcome. However, in this instance the Judge is allowing federal prosecutors to the horses at auction before the case goes to trial.
DALLAS, Tex. — (AP) A federal judge in Texas is allowing prosecutors to sell more than 400 racehorses amid allegations the animals were used to launder profits from a Mexican drug cartel.
Fifteen people are charged in the investigation, which centers on the operation of an Oklahoma horse ranch. Among those in custody is Jose Trevino Morales. Prosecutors say he is the brother of two alleged leaders of the Zetas cartel.
Authorities seized 49 of the most valuable horses and claimed control of the remaining 414. Prosecutors said in court documents that four horses have died. Others have been injured due to overcrowding. Caring for the horses is also expensive.
U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks last week gave prosecutors permission to auction the horses and hold the proceeds until the case is resolved.
Source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/06/4698084/judge-feds-can-auction-horses.html
The horses in this case — totally innocent — are suffering. A reported 11 have already died, succumbing to illness and the heat.
LEXINGTON, Okl. — Horses are dying from illness and the heat at an overcrowded ranch here that federal prosecutors allege was being run with drug money from a ruthless Mexican cartel.
Eleven horses have died and others have become sick and hurt since FBI agents raided Zule Farms June 12, prosecutors reported to a judge.
Because of the health issues and other concerns, the judge in Texas has agreed to let the federal government sell all of the more than 450 horses linked to the drug cartel. About 380 of the horses are at the Lexington ranch.
Source: http://newsok.com/horses-are-dying-at-oklahoma-ranch-linked-to-mexican-drug-cartel/article/3698019
RELATED READING
Oklahoma, New Mexico horse-racing tracks linked to Mexican drug cartel, Feds say; Fox News; Jun. 13, 2012
Quarter horse racing, the Treviño brothers and drug money from Mexico; Tuesday’s Horse; Jun. 12, 2012
This government has turned a blind eye to illegal immigration and the drug cartels for years claiming the cartels were not operating in the US. This horse breeding operation is just the tip of the iceberg they operate in all large and small cities.
WTF?????? What auction?
When and where will these horses be auctioned off? I have not been able to find any dates for an auction of these horses online. Thank you1
Is anyone aware of auction details? Are these horses safe?
Its a sick world, wtf is correct, what auction, the public should have this info. i hope they are safe, they deseve a break.
Auction details have not been released insofar as we know but we will try to get them. They will probably publicize it as they will want to get as much revenue as they can.
If you get any information on the horses can you please let me know? Thanks
That would be good, thank you
If they’d hurry up and set up another cartel, we’d be ready for monsoon season. My neighbor can’t get a roof on. Three times he’s been stood up and we know they have the illegals, the equipment to produce plates, and the ability to produce IDs and credit cards.
Screw the middle-easterners. All they’ve been able to accomplish is shaking down about a grand a week from Son of Fantastic Sams