“The ‘Northeast Cartel’ or ‘Cartel del Noreste’ (CDN) operates on both sides of the border between Texas and Mexico. They are now openly boasting about their presence in Texas through a photo posted on x.com (formerly Twitter). The image shows armed CDN members wearing vests displaying the CDN logo, along with the words ‘Operativa Texas’ (which translates to ‘Texas Operation’).
The CDN operates in plain sight from its stronghold in Nuevo Laredo, just across the Rio Grande from Texas in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. They even drive vehicles displaying their logo to assert control over their ‘territory.’
Last year in Nuevo Laredo, the cartel distributed food baskets bearing its logo as ‘gifts’ to Mexican citizens, attempting to portray themselves as modern-day ‘Robin Hoods’ despite their involvement in violent crime.
It’s no secret that the CDN’s illegal activities extend across the river into Laredo, Texas. In March 2023, the Laredo Morning Times reported that the CDN kidnapped Erik Tadeo Ramirez from a Laredo home. Ramirez had bragged about stealing $50,000 from the CDN but believed he was safe on U.S. soil. Two hours after making that statement, armed men abducted him and took him to Mexico. He has not been seen since.
Jason Owens, now Chief of the entire U.S. Border Patrol, is well aware of cartel operations in Texas. He testified before a U.S. Congressional Committee, stating that anyone involved in smuggling (drugs, migrants, or guns) across the border is connected to or working for the larger cartels.
A year ago, Texas Department of Public Safety surveillance cameras captured images of CDN gunmen on the Texas side of the Rio Grande in South Texas. These images eventually led to the arrests of five CDN smugglers involved in gun-running operations.
Among the five major cartels operating along the Mexico-Texas border—Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Gulf Cartel (CDG), Sinaloa Cartel (CDS), and Juarez Cartel (La Linea)—the CDN stands out by openly boasting about its Texas operations.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has requested the Biden Administration to designate the cartels as ‘terrorist organizations’ and instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to target them and disrupt their operations within the state.”
Source: News Breaks