Author: JD
El Chapo Guzman News: DEA Offered Sinaloa Cartel Members Immunity In Exchange For Information On Rivals
In a report published last week, El Universal confirmed long-standing rumors that the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has met and negotiated with members of Mexico’s feared Sinaloa Cartel, headed by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Between 2000 and 2012, the paper writes, DEA agents met more than 50 times with cartel members on Mexican territory, without the knowledge of Mexican authorities, to obtain information on rival drug gangs. In exchange for that information – as long as it turned out to be true — the DEA offered an array of future benefits, including dropping charges pending against Sinaloa members. That strategy was authorized by David Gaddis, then the DEA director of operations for the region. El Universal wrote that its report was based on interviews with over 100 drug-enforcement officers from both the US and Mexico, prisoners and families of prisoners, and experts on the matter. As Business Insider notes, the report is also the first to include court documents with on-record statements from DEA agent Manuel Castañón and Justice Department prosecutor Patrick H. Hearn about deals struck with the Sinaloa cartel. Those records come from the 2010 trial in Chicago of Jesus Vicente Zambada Niebla, a Sinaloa operative and son of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a top cartel leader. During the trial, Zambada Niebla’s lawyer had argued that he was entitled to immunity from arrest or prosecution because he had taken an active role in providing information to the DEA on rival cartels. His arrest on drug-trafficking charges had come shortly after meeting with DEA agents. The court recordsshow Hearn as saying he had authorized another agent, who had proposed a “sit-down meeting” with Zambada-Niebla, to go to Mexico to carry out the interview. Castañón, who was also working on the case, told the court that in March 2009, “I met for approximately 30 minutes in a hotel room in Mexico City with Vincente Zambada-Niebla and two other individuals — DEA agent David Herrod and a cooperating source [Sinaloa lawyer Loya Castro] with whom I had worked since 2005. … I did all of the talking on behalf of DEA.” Edgardo Buscaglia, senior professor at the University of Colombia, told El Universal that the DEA had operated in a similar fashion in Colombia during the 1980s as well as in Cambodia, Thailand and Afghanistan, among other places. “This modus operandi implies a violation of international public law, apart from being more fuel to the fire of the violence [in Mexico], with violations to due process and human rights,” Buscaglia opined. A DEA spokesman declined to comment.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Write down 10 things you would do in your life if you had absolutely no fear. Then pick one of them and do it.” -Steve Chandler
Harrys Of London’s $1,500 Socks Is One Of The Most Expensive
Only 100 such extraordinary pairs will be available and you can dare to wear the pair for almost $1,500. Though the brand is renowned for its innovative and beautifully crafted shoes, they have delved deeper to design socks of highest quality too. Woven from the ‘Diamond of Clothing Fibers’ that is Cervelt, the making of these super soft socks requires the highest attention to craftsmanship. The high price can be related to the uniqueness as well as exclusivity of the material. Cervelt is a down fiber of the New Zealand Red Deer and only 20 grams of fiber can be collected from each deer, each year! Claimed to be lighter and softer than cashmere, it is also resilient to creasing as well as pilling. Apt for winters too, it maintains the body temperature through the action of millions of air chambers that form inside the natural creases of the fiber. However, those who can splurge $1,500 on a pair of socks will not only buy them to keep their feet warm. It is the rarity and exclusivity of the highest quality natural fibre that will raise the need to slip on this pair of socks from Harry of London. The socks can be shipped to New York and other parts of the USA within a day or two for an additional charge of about $25.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 30x Ultra Zoom with Wi-Fi, NFC and GPS
Panasonic introduces a super slim digital compact camera with a live viewfinder featuring a powerful 30x optical zoom (35mm equivalent: 24-720mm) for the latest flagship of the popular ZS series. The new DMC-ZS40 makes significant upgrades especially in functions for more advanced photography such as a control ring, RAW compatibility and focus peaking. The 18.1-megapixel sensor and the advanced image processor Venus Engine feature high speed, high sensitivity image recording achieving 1920 x 1080 60p full-HD video recording in AVCHD Progressive format and high speed burst shooting at 10 fps with high picture quality. With the Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, users can connect the camera to their smartphone/tablet with one-touch or reading the embedded QR code without the need of cabling or searching for a Wi-Fi hotspot. In addition, users can utilize a smartphone/tablet for a secondary monitor of the camera that enables manual control or focus peaking in addition to setting focus, zooming or releasing the shutter.
#STUDIOALERT! ME AND @BOWWOW
#SOMUCHNEWMUSIC
2015 CADILLAC ATS COUPE
The C-Coupe and 4 Series now have some American competition as Cadillac unveils the new ATS Coupe. The cars will come in rear or all-wheel-drive configurations with your choice of a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder that’s rated at 272 hp (295 lb-ft of torque) and the 3.6L V6 which pushes out 321 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. Inside, you’ll get features like OnStar 4G LTE with built-in WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a three-widnow 5.7 inch instrument panel cluster display, Bose sound with active noise cancelation, and a full-color heads up display.
Alexander Wang Spring 2014 Campaign Heads To The Loo
Fashion collections and campaigns unveiled against scenic or art-inspired backdrops are a norm. For his Summer-Spring 2014 campaign, Alexander Wang has headed to a toilet to relive his creative instincts. Starring Anna Ewers and lensed by Steven Klein, the images show the model sitting atop a basin in what appears to be a public restroom. Styled by Karl Templer, the campaign shows Anna in a messy hairstyle, courtesy Paul Hanlon. Diane Kendal kept the makeup basic but neat while Gina Edwards was responsible for manicure (which is barely visible). The suggestive pose will appeal to the youth who will relate to the location, styling and the collection as well. Wearing a full sleeve top which screams ‘Parental Advisory Explict Content’ styled by Karl Templer, Evers sprawls over the sink with her legs wide open.
Mexican Drug War Heats Up As Cartels Battle With “Self-Defense” Groups
The Mexican Drug War has been raging for years and despite military intervention to quell the violence sparked by the drug cartels, the battles have torn many regions apart. Now, government officials in Mexico have to also contend with civilian vigilantes known as “self-defense” groups who have declared war on the violent Knights Templar cartel in the state of Michoacán. The New York Times reported on the deteriorating conditions in the state, with government officials promising to seize back control from the cartel on Monday (January 13). However, citizens who have taken up arms have been warring in the open with the drug gangs in the western Mexican state. The Times has more. From the Times: The turmoil in Michoacán — where vigilantes have been battling cartel gunmen on village streets — poses one of the biggest security challenges for President Enrique Peña Nieto, whose focus since taking office a little over a year ago has been on the economy. But Hipólito Mora, one of the leaders of the self-defense groups, told the local news media that first the government must arrest the leaders of the Knights Templar. “We will hold out,” Mr. Mora told the newspaper El Universal on Monday. “I agree that one day we will have to lay down our weapons, and I would love to go back to work.” He added, “But the government should recognize that this is their failing.” Although the efforts of the vigilantes may have noble intentions, authorities say that rival gang members could be among the self-defense teams. In fact, the lines appear to be blurring in Michoacán regarding those involved in the fighting, making President Nieto’s task of restoring peace much more difficult. Some experts also say the vigilantes could be making veiled attempts to obtain valuable turf. President Nieto sent troops to the state last May to battle with the Knights Templar gang, and in November, the Navy took control of a Pacific port where the cartel lorded over. Nieto has not been seen as particularly strong on combating the Mexican Drug War, although with Monday’s announcement it appears this stance may be changing.