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ZETAS DRUG CARTEL
LAREDO FEDERAL COURT
‘Z-31’ captured
Man charged for marijuana
Commander caught crossing Falcon Lake
1,200 pounds of pot found stashed while he traveled through Zapata
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A commander for the Zetas drug cartel in northern Mexico and Zapata was on the run from Mexican authorities before his capture on Falcon Lake last week, according to Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar. Intelligence reports indicate that 27-year-old Jose Manuel Saldivar-Fa-
rias, known as “Z-31” or “El Borrado,” and Osiel Hernandez-Martinez, 26, were fleeing from Mexican authorities following an armed confrontation with them. Both men tried eluding authorities by getting on a boat to cross into the United States through Falcon Lake. But U.S. authorities were waiting for them. On March 12, a Texas Depart-
ment of Public Safety quick reactionary force, in conjunction with the Texas Air National Guard, was conducting fly-over operations over Falcon Lake when they spotted a speeding boat heading north into U.S. soil from Mexico. Authorities detained the men aboard the boat on the suspicion that they
See ZETAS PAGE 11A
By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A man accused of transporting almost 1,200 pounds marijuana stashed in a generator while traveling through Zapata was formally charged this week in a Laredo federal court. An indictment filed Tuesday against Victor
CUELLAR
Tristan charges him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Tristan is due back in court March 26 for arraignment. If convicted,
See MARIJUANA PAGE 11A
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
FEDERAL FRACKING REGULATIONS New rule anticipated by drillers By MARK DRAJEM AND JIM POLSON BLOOMBERG NEWS
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration issued the first federal regulations for fracking since the drilling technique fueled a domestic energy boom, requiring extensive disclosures of the chemicals used on public land. After years of debate and delay, the Bureau of Land Management on Friday said drillers on federal lands must reveal the chemicals they use, meet well construction standards and safely dispose of contaminated water used in fracking. The rule had been highly anticipated by drillers, who oppose added regulation, and by environmentalists who have raised alarms about water contamination. Both sides had complaints with the outcome: groups representing the oil and gas industry sued to block its implementation and an environmental group said the regulation favored industry over public health. “This rule will move our nation forward as we ensure responsible development while protecting public land re-
See FRACKING PAGE 11A
Photo by Keith Srakocic | AP file
In this June 25, 2012, file photo, a crew works on a gas drilling rig at a well site for shale-based natural gas in Zelienople, Pennsylvania. The Obama administration is requiring companies that drill for oil and natural gas on federal lands to disclose chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations. A final rule released Friday also updates requirements for well construction and disposal of water and other fluids used in fracking, a drilling method that has prompted an ongoing boom in natural gas production.
INTOCABLE TO PLAY AT SXSW
ZAPATA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Father, daughter arrested for smuggling By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Photo by Wilfredo Lee | AP file
In this April 26, 2012, file photo, members of the group Intocable pose with their Lifetime Achievement award during the Latin Billboard Awards in Coral Gables, Florida. The band will perform at the South by Southwest music festival today in Austin.
A father and daughter were arrested recently in Zapata County for their alleged involvement in a human smuggling attempt, according to court documents obtained this week. Identified as the father, Enrique Flores Jr., of Zapata, was charged with bringing in and harboring people who had crossed the border illegally. Court documents filed March 9 identi-
fied his daughter as Roxanna Janette Flores. She was released because she did not meet prosecution guidelines, states a criminal complaint. On March 5, Flores and Roxanna Flores were apprehended south of Zapata while allegedly transporting seven people who had entered the country illegally. Earlier that day, the Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office requested assistance from U.S. Border Patrol to
the scene of a bailout in the Siesta Shores neighborhood. On arrival, agents learned that deputies had Flores in custody. He was believed to be the main suspect. A deputy had observed a white 2007 GMC Sierra driven by Flores and a green 2005 Chrysler 300 driven by Roxanna Flores. Authorities allege that both vehicles committed several traffic violations while travel-
See SMUGGLING PAGE 11A