BELTRAN, AS IN THE BELTRAN/LEYVA CARTEL?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltr%C3%A1n-Leyva_Cartel
South Texas Father and Son Admit to Using Racehorses to Facilitate Drug Trafficking
VICTORIA, Texas - Two members of a prolific transnational, transgenerational drug trafficking organization have pleaded guilty as their trial was set to begin in Victoria federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
>>>Raul Beltran Jr., 50, and his son Edward Beltran, 24, both of Rio Grande City, pleaded guilty today as they were set to begin trial before U.S. District Judge John Rainey.<<<
The Beltran men admitted to massive amounts of drug smuggling - thousands of kilograms of marijuana.
The investigation began in January 2013 after a Victoria County Sheriff’s Office deputy interdicted approximately 600 pounds of marijuana concealed in a horse trailer. The trailer also contained two racehorses.
That event prompted a lengthy, multiple-agency, multi-jurisdictional investigation that would ultimately uncover information and evidence demonstrating the illegal activities of the Beltran drug trafficking organization. The Beltrans used their horse ranches in Rio Grande City to receive, repackage and conceal thousands of kilograms of marijuana in horse trailers, flat-bed trailers and tractor trailers to ship the marijuana to all points north. They used the sport of horse racing to facilitate drug smuggling and to launder illicit proceeds.
The organization also utilized violence, intimidation, bribery and public corruption to facilitate and perpetuate their illicit activities for nearly a decade with virtual impunity. The investigation demonstrated the organization’s dealings with ranking members of the Gulf and Zeta Cartels, Starr County Chicano Brotherhood, as well as the involvement of multiple corrupt sworn peace officers assigned in the Rio Grande Valley.
A total of 22 people have now been convicted as a result of this investigation, including a former Starr County Sheriff’s Office deputy. In addition, authorities have seized three horse ranches as well as an American Quarter Horse race stallion named Jet Black Patriot and his breeding proceeds and awards.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/south-texas-father-and-son-admit-using-racehorses-facilitate-drug-trafficking
NOTE: if you are seeing empty flatbed trailers being towed around, know that the cartels are modifying such to include box panels near the wheel wells as concealed compartments for guns, cash, and drugs.
ALSO NOTE: the horse trailers are not only used to haul drugs, but PEOPLE.