Mexican cartels infiltrate Houston

Houston Chronicle ^ | March 7, 2009, 9:28PM | DANE SCHILLER

[PureSolace]

Recent arrests in a mistaken killing point to the perilous presence of gangs

The order was clear: Kill the guy in the Astros jersey.

But in a case of mistaken identity, Jose Perez ended up dead. The intended target — the Houston-based head of a Mexican drug cartel cell pumping millions of dollars of cocaine into the city — walked away.

Perez, 27, was just a working guy, out getting dinner late on a Friday with his wife and young children at Chilos, a seafood restaurant on the Gulf Freeway.

His murder and the assassination gone awry point to the perilous presence of Mexican organized crime and how cartel violence has seeped into the city.

Arrests came in December when police and federal agents got a break in the 2006 shooting as they charted the relationship and rivalries between at least five cartel cells operating in Houston. A rogue’s gallery of about 100 names and mug shots taken at Texas jails and morgues offers a blueprint for Mexican organized crime.

Houston has long been a major staging ground for importing illegal drugs from Mexico and shipping them to the rest of the United States, but a recent Department of Justice report notes it is one of 230 cities where cartels maintain distribution networks and supply lines.

At Chilos, the real crime boss was sitting at another table, as were two spotters. The hitman waited in the parking lot for Perez to leave the restaurant.

“I just remember that guy coming up to us and he started shooting and shooting and shooting and never stopped,” said Norma Gonzalez, Perez’s widow. He was hit twice.

[Diogenesis]

"Our government has failed us, miserably."

[AuntB]

"This flood of mexican criminals is a direct result of the open border agitators and undocumented worker supporters who have fought so hard to allow criminals unfettered access to our streets. Those damnable criminal alien cheerleaders are personally responsible for each and every death, rape and robbery committed by one of these so called “god's children”. "

Can't be repeated often enough. We need a 'wall of shame' dedicated to the worst of the worst of them. I nominate McCain.

[Diogenesis]

The Congress has their own protection, their own laws,
and they DO NOT CARE ONE IOTA FOR RAPED, MURDERED or
THREATENED AMERICANS.

[AuntB]

I wish you were wrong. You’re not.

[a fool in paradise]

Thank you Mayor White. < /sarc >

[a fool in paradise]

Welcome to America 2.0

[a fool in paradise]

Is this south of the border now?

[a fool in paradise]

At this size of an operation of drugs in Houston, I doubt that it comes as a complete surprise to our law enforcement officers.

There is probably some of the same corruption that is found in Mexico and border towns. But that is an inconvenient question to ask.

How high does the corruption run.

[ColdWater]

" The resident used a handgun to kill one and wound another before the survivors illegal alien gangsters left." (fixed).

[brytlea]

I agree. What a sad story.

[brytlea]

That really is outrageous. It sends out a signal. The wrong signal.

[a fool in paradise]

I’ve seen reports of the previous DA prosecuting a homeowner who killed a home invader (who’d stalked the home and returned to violently enter the home while the family was there).

The getaway car driver was questioned but not prosecuted and the homeowner was denied knowing the name of the second man. When asked what he should do to avoid a retaliatory strike from this man, he was told to circle the block a couple times before returning home.

The city is much more interested in traffic tickets (speeding, red lights, dui). Those make the city money and don’t fill up jail cells. If you prosecute (possibly illegal alien) suspects, you have to provide the defense as well and house them while awaiting trial plus it is risky to approach such crazed gangsters. Cops are demanding that they now ride two to a patrol car.

When the police don’t feel safe? How are the citizens supposed to feel in this city?

[AuntB]

“There is probably some of the same corruption that is found in Mexico and border towns. But that is an inconvenient question to ask.

How high does the corruption run.”

I wonder if we’ll ever know for sure. Both Madoff and Sanford schemes were dealing with Mexican drug cartels. Both gave big $$$ to politicians. Did they do the bidding of the donors and therefore the cartels? One thing we do know is that the cartels gained power because of open border politicians.

[DirtyHarryY2K]

I moved out of Houston [my home town] in 82’ It's about to get as bad out here in the sticks. Between the illegals and the “meth monsters” the rural areas are starting to look like 3rd world war zones. Lock and load! it will get worse before it will get any better.

[TADSLOS]

"Our government has failed us, miserably."

Yep, and still is, at an ever increasing rate.

[DirtyHarryY2K]

Texas' Ten Most Wanted Fugitives

[willgolfforfood]

Houston IS a sanctuary city...

[wolfcreek]

“Mexican cartels infiltrate Houston”

I’d say about 40 years ago. (how long it took people to wake up)

[dirtman]

I think you can find at least half of those 10 most wanted fugitives working for the Houston city council.

[Iscool]

The war on drugs is a hoax...The war on terror is a hoax...They spend billions of our money on the war on drugs and they refuse to close the gates that they enter thru...

We are a gullible bunch...