Arrest of Zetas leader's brother prompts Mexico travel warning

American officials are issuing an alert following the arrest in the United States of the brother of a high-ranking member of the Zetas drug cartel.

According to the New York Times, federal officials arrested Jose Treviño-Morales on Tuesday morning as part of a money laundering investigation.

The newspaper reported that Treviño-Morales is accused of using champion race horse ranches in New Mexico and Oklahoma to launder millions of dollars in drug money for the Zetas.

The New York Times reported that Treviño-Morales is the brother of Miguel Angel Treviño-Morales, a high-ranking Zetas leader known as Z-40.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a security message to American citizens in Mexico on Tuesday afternoon.

The message asks American citizens traveling and residing in Mexico to be aware of the incident and be prepared for any possible retaliation or violence related to the arrests.

“Given the history and resources of this violent TCO, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to maintain a low profile and a heightened sense of awareness,” the message states.

 

---

Security Message for U.S. Citizens – Possibility for Retaliation Following TCO Arrests (June 12, 2012)

The U.S. Embassy alerts U.S. citizens traveling and residing in Mexico to the enhanced potential for violence related to today’s arrests of Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) associates and family members residing in the United States.

This morning, U.S. federal law enforcement agents arrested associates and family members of a senior TCO member, and seized property and assets within  the United States. 

These arrests could result in some form of retaliation and/or anti-American violence. Given the history and resources of this violent TCO, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to maintain a low profile and a heightened sense of awareness. 

Please review the Department of State’s Travel Warning concerning travel within Mexico and the state of Tamaulipas, available athttp://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5665.html. The Department continues to advise U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas.

We also encourage U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Americans without internet access may register in person or by phone with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

For any emergencies involving American citizens in the Matamoros consular district, please call or visit the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit at the U.S. Consulate General on Avenida Primera #2002, Col. Jardín, Matamoros, Tamaulipas.  Telephone 011 (52) (868) 812-4402;