AP Exclusive: Sinaloa cartel wins Juarez turf war

Associated Press ^ | April 9, 2010, 10:10AM | ALICIA A. CALDWELL and MARK STEVENSON

[BradtotheBone]

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — After a two-year battle that has killed more than 5,000 people, Mexico's most powerful kingpin now controls the coveted trafficking routes through Ciudad Juarez. That conclusion by U.S. intelligence adds to evidence that Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's Sinaloa cartel is winning Mexico's drug war.

The assessment was made based on information from confidential informants with direct ties to Mexican drug gangs and other intelligence, said a U.S. federal agent who sometimes works undercover, insisting on anonymity because of his role in ongoing drug investigations.

The agent told The Associated Press those sources have led U.S. authorities to believe that the Sinaloa cartel has edged out the rival Juarez gang for control over trafficking routes through Ciudad Juarez, ground zero in the drug war.

Other officials corroborated pieces of the assessment. Andrea Simmons, an FBI spokeswoman in El Paso, confirmed that the majority of drug loads arriving from Juarez now belong to Guzman. And Mexican Federal Police Chief Facundo Rosas told the AP that while authorities are still working to confirm the U.S. assessment, "These are valid theories."

"If you control the city (Ciudad Juarez), you control the drugs," the federal agent said. "And it appears to be Chapo."

The twin border cities of Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas, are a primary crossing point for drugs smuggled into the United States. Control of drug routes in Chihuahua, the state along New Mexico and West Texas where Juarez is located, is vital to Guzman's efforts to grow his massive drug cartel's operations.

Already, the Sinaloa cartel is the world's largest, and Guzman last year made Forbes magazine's list of the world's top billionaires.

[Retired Greyhound]

Oh, goody. But did they cover the spread?

I had Sinola minus the points.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

I’ve got the Zetas in the next bracket.

[Repeat Offender]

MS-13 is gonna take it all. I have Juan McCain scoring at least 20 points in the second half; Gramnesty at 10.

I see America making it to the final round, but losing in the end.

[coaltrain]

Any updates on the NY turf battle between the Jets and the Sharks?

[americanophile]

LMAO!

[dfwgator]

I'm betting on the "Baseball Furies."

[riri]

When does Obama invite them to the Whitehouse? Maybe some negotiations? I am sure we could offer up some turf and perhaps a few southwestern states.