In five years we will be completely legitimate.
Posted on 11/17/2012 6:55:48 PM PST by combat_boots
AGUJITA, Mexico — They may be known for flashy cars and state of the art weaponry, but Mexican druglords have found an earthy new source of wealth: dirty old coal.
They are mining it themselves in a coal-rich area along the US border or buying it from small mine operators, then reselling it to a state-owned company at fabulous margins that can see them make a profit 30 times greater than their initial investment.
Along the way, besides the earth's black bounty, the druglords are seeking to reap credibility as legitimate business people.
First word of the Zetas drug cartel's presence in mining-heavy Coahuila state came in October from a former governor, Humberto Moreira, who blamed the notoriously violent group for his son's death.
The Mexican Mining Association says Mexico produces 15 million tonnes of coal a year, worth $3.8 billion. About 95 percent of it comes from Coahuila.
Reforma newspaper says the Zetas produce or buy 10,000 tonnes of coal a week. Selling it at their inflated prices, that means yearly revenue of $22 million to $25 million.
The Zetas were created for former Mexican military special forces operatives who worked for the Gulf cartel. But they broke away from that group to control lucrative drug trafficking routes to the United States and engage in other crimes such as extortion, people trafficking and fuel theft.
"The Zetas are the first Mexican cartel to diversify from drugs into other areas," said Tomas Borges, author of a book on the cartels.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
Maybe they see the impending prohibition of coal in the U.S. as an opportunity to smuggle another commodity. Next it will be high flow toilets and 2 liter bottles of soda.
Well, that’s their way out as the US and Mexico further decriminalize possession of marijuana and work to legitimize the growth and sales ofccacannabis products.
The have to invest in legitimate enterprises and continue growing their wealth.
For me this would be a good thing as or forests would get cleaned up and violence associated with marijuana abates as more lawful avenuesccoPete against them, reducing profitability and distribution to the point were it really isn’t worth the effort.
I doubt if they are doing anything approaching clean coal so the EPA is going to be all over Texas like white on rice for the pollution which comes up from Mexico. Has happened before when our southern “neighbors” decided to burn off part of the rain forest so they could have farming area.
Where’s Francisco d’Anconia when we need him?
(I know. He was in the copper mining business)
;-)
Who at the EPA has the balls to go after the cartels?
Coal? Suddenly the administration leaps into action.
Coal??? That’s what’s called a “Cover Load.” It’s just something to hide their dope under.
In five years we will be completely legitimate.
Miguel, we’re bigger than US Steel.
Hey, if they burn coal and are making war on Zero...I dunno, maybe a little too Machiavellin.
And 1 liter sodas to NYC.
They are mining COAL? They better watch out, Obama will declare war and invade with everything we have. He HATES coal.
Oh wait, my bad. Foreigners can use all the coal, nuclear and oil they want. It’s only America that is prohibited from being modern.
They are mining COAL? They better watch out, Obama will declare war and invade with everything we have. He HATES coal.
Oh wait, my bad. Foreigners can use all the coal, nuclear and oil they want. It’s only America that is prohibited from being modern.
“Coal??? That’s what’s called a “Cover Load.” It’s just something to hide their dope under.”
It would be, but i don’t -think- the USA buys any coal from Mexico.
We don’t need people at EPA to have balls, the voters have them in 2 states so far, with more to come. And this was for allowing private growing of pot, not just medical marijuana growing which is far more restrictive. Hopefully as they get into legal enterprises, these crooks and murders will calm down a little.
I am glad you said this. 30 or 40 years ago the mob said it would be legit.
Along the way, besides the earth’s black bounty, the druglords are seeking to reap credibility as legitimate business people....JUST LIKE FILTHY SENATE AND CONGRESS.
HEY LOUIE SLAUGHTER,,UP YOURS
It takes the entreprenuer spirit of a major illegal operation to develop an industry the elites find repulsive. This is rich on so many levels.
Attention out of work UNION coal miners. There is work in Mexico!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.