The Mexican drug cartel Los Zetas is not your typical criminal organization. Known for their ruthless tactics and violent behavior, they have managed to expand their operations into unexpected territories – including the world of American racehorses. This shocking revelation is at the center of a new Apple TV+ docuseries, “Cowboy Cartel,” which delves into the inner workings of the Zetas and their involvement in the lucrative horse racing industry.
The Zetas: From Drug Lords to Horse Traders
The Zetas, once feared as one of the deadliest drug cartels in Mexico, were led by brothers Omar Treviño Morales and Miguel Angel Treviño Morales. But their criminal empire took a bizarre turn when they began using quarter horses as a front for their money laundering activities on U.S. soil. In 2010, the FBI’s Laredo, Texas office received a tip that the Zetas were using the proceeds from their drug trafficking operations to purchase and race horses in America.
A Shell Game of Straw Purchases
One of the key players in this scheme was the brothers’ other sibling, José Treviño Morales, who orchestrated a complex web of straw purchases and deals worth millions of dollars to disguise drug money through the sale of quarter horses and race winnings. By structuring cash deposits in amounts under $10,000 to avoid bank reporting requirements, the Zetas were able to funnel their illicit funds through the legitimate horse racing industry.
The FBI’s Takedown
The task of bringing down the Zetas’ horse racing operation fell to rookie FBI agent Scott Lawson, who led a team of law enforcement agents in a multi-year investigation to uncover the cartel’s illegal activities. In 2012, the FBI raided José Treviño Morales’ home and stables in Lexington, Oklahoma, leading to the arrest of Miguel in 2013 and José’s subsequent sentencing to 20 years in federal prison. The takedown of the Zetas’ horse racing ring was a significant blow to the cartel’s operations and marked a major victory for law enforcement.
Lawson and his team faced numerous challenges in their pursuit of the Zetas, including the need to gather enough evidence to prove the criminal nature of the cartel’s activities before the brothers could flee back to Mexico. The successful raid on José’s property was the culmination of years of painstaking investigative work and cooperation between local and national law enforcement agencies.
The “Cowboy Cartel” docuseries offers a behind-the-scenes look at the investigation, featuring interviews with Lawson and other key players who helped bring down the Zetas’ illicit horse racing ring. From IRS agents to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, the series sheds light on the intricate web of corruption and violence that allowed the cartel to operate with impunity for so long.
The Human Cost of Cartel Violence
The Zetas’ use of violence to maintain control over their criminal empire is a central theme of the docuseries, with experts detailing the brutal tactics employed by the cartel to intimidate rivals and assert their dominance. From shootings on Texas highways to cars set ablaze, the Zetas’ reign of terror left a trail of destruction in its wake.
“All the cartels use violence to achieve their aims. The Zetas took it to another level,” one law enforcement official remarks in the series. The shocking footage of masked men counting cash while brandishing weapons serves as a stark reminder of the ruthless nature of the Zetas and the lengths they were willing to go to protect their interests.
As the dust settles on the Zetas’ downfall, the “Cowboy Cartel” docuseries serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers posed by organized crime groups and the importance of relentless law enforcement efforts to combat them. Through the dedication and bravery of agents like Scott Lawson, the tide can turn against even the most formidable adversaries, exposing their illicit activities and bringing them to justice.
In the end, the Zetas’ foray into the world of American horse racing serves as a sobering reminder of the far-reaching impact of organized crime and the need for continued vigilance in the fight against criminal enterprises. The legacy of the Zetas may live on in infamy, but their downfall stands as a testament to the power of law enforcement to disrupt and dismantle even the most sophisticated criminal operations.
