Treviño Morales Indictment Unsealed

An inside look at Los Zetas money laundering operation in the U.S.

Federal authorities have unsealed charging documents against brothers José, Miguel and Omar Treviño Morales, as well as 11 other Mexican nationals who were indicted on May 30 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. Seven defendants are in custody, and seven others are still being sought. Miguel Morales, known as Z-40 and the second in command of the Los Zetas drug cartel, is pictured in an old photo. He is believed to be in Mexico, but his whereabouts are unknown. Mexican prosecutors also hold warrants for him.

The U.S. Attorney issued a press release yesterday which summarizes the case. But the Indictment provides many more details and a fascinating description of exactly how Los Zetas laundered millions of illicit drug profits -- all while on U.S. soil.

"The allegations in this indictment, if proven, would document yet another example of the corrupting influence of Mexican drug cartels within the United States, facilitated by the enormous profits generated by the illicit drug trade," said United States Attorney Robert Pitman in the press release.

"This investigation reveals the varied attempts by Mexican drug cartels to further their criminal enterprises by any means necessary. As such, the FBI and its partners stand ready to combat all efforts by transnational criminal organizations to undermine our national security wherever and whenever they may be uncovered," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

"This case is a prime example of the ability of Mexican drug cartels to establish footholds in legitimate U.S. industries and highlights the serious threat money laundering causes to our financial system," said Richard Weber, Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation. "This attack on one of the Zeta's most profitable money laundering schemes is an essential front in the war on drugs and will financially disrupt and help dismantle this violent international criminal organization."

Trevino-Morales U.S. Atty Press Release


Note: The first two page document below is a motion by the government to detain José Morales without bail; the Indictment immediately follows.
Trevino-Morales Charging Documents

Mexican Marines arrest top financial aid to Z-40: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.mx/2012/06/mexican-marines-arrest-z-40-2-zeta.html
Feds bust Los Zeta money washers in U.S.: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.mx/2012/06/feds-bust-los-zeta-money-washers-in-us.html.
U.S. State Dept. issues Mexico-wide alert, warning of "anti-American violence": http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.mx/2012/06/us-state-dept-issues-mexico-wide-alert.html.
Z-44, third in command of Los Zetas, arrested: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.mx/2012/01/top-zeta-leader-arrested-linked-to-50.html.