The Mexican Newspapers That ‘Los Cuinis’ Used To Promote Drug Trafficking, According To The USA

Mica for cartelinsider.com

Drug cartels not only use food, tourism, or recreational companies to launder their illicit earnings. In addition to getting involved in businesses related to medicine distribution, child care, and sports training, drug trafficking has also been linked to media outlets.

United States authorities on December 2015, the year in which the Treasury Department sanctioned Mexican citizen Naim Libien Tella and four of his companies for supporting ‘Los Cuinis’, a criminal organization identified as the principal financial arm of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

According to investigations by the American justice system, Libien Tella, born on May 30, 1970, in Toluca, State of Mexico, began a long business relationship with Abigael Gonzalez Valencia, alias ‘El Cuini’, leader of this criminal group, in the 1990s.

Reports refer that in 2007 – two years before the creation of the ‘four-letter cartel’ – ‘El Cuini’ granted a notarial power to Libien Tella for his investment company based in Guadalajara, identified as Valgo Grupo de Inversión; therefore, it was linked to the activities of ‘Los Cuinis’.

Another of Libien Tella’s companies targeted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) was Aerolíneas Amanecer S.A de C.V, also known as Aeroamancer, which was accused of operating in support of the illegal activities of ‘Los Cuinis’.

Next to them, the Department of Treasury also included the Mexican newspapers Unomásuno ―of which Libien Tella was vice president― and Diario Amanecer in the list. These two media outlets continue to operate.

According to OFAC data, newspapers Diario Amanecer and Unomásuno provided “support” to drug trafficking activities at least until 2015, although it was not specified how.

“Through their relationship with Naim Libien Tella, ‘Los Cuinis’ have used the Mexican newspaper Unomasuno to promote their activities of drug trafficking,” said the then interim director of OFAC, John E. Smith.

The first newspaper was at Paseo Tollocan 616 East, in the Valle Verde neighborhood, Toluca. In contrast, the second one, founded in November 1977, is located at Gabino Barreda No. 86, in the San Rafael neighborhood, Cuauhtémoc district, Mexico City.

All assets belonging to Libien Tella and these media outlets in US territory were frozen, prohibiting citizens of said country from conducting transactions with them.

“Los Cuinis” is a group comprised of the Gonzalez Valencia brothers who operate for the CJNG. Some reports state that there are 18 members, while others point to 12.

Its most recognized leader is ‘El Cuini’, brother-in-law of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as ‘El Mencho’, founder and leader of the Four Letters Cartel.

He was arrested on February 28, 2015, in an operation carried out in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Since then, he has been imprisoned and fighting a legal battle to avoid extradition to the United States.

He faces charges in the District of Columbia for cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana importation and is also accused of multiple homicides, kidnappings, acts of torture, and money laundering.

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Mica

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