Beltrán Leyva, the Zetas, and “La Barbie” Betrayed one Another While Trafficking Colombian Cocaine

And in the United States, Roberto López—alias “El Shrek”—was sentenced to over 18 years in prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking network linked to “La Barbie” and the Beltrán Leyva organization. 

Angel Hernández has the details. Good evening. How’s it going, Victor? Good evening. Well, yes, this is significant because, for Washington, it marks the end of operations for the network run by “La Barbie” and Carlos Montemayor—a cell that operated within the Beltrán Leyva organization.

All those found guilty have now been sentenced. Furthermore, the investigation we are presenting on Milenio reveals how Edgar Valdés Villarreal operated— this man who entered the Mexican drug trade in the early 2000s, operating the corridor between the “Laredos”—Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, and Laredo, Texas. 

And, alongside Carlos Montemayor—who eventually became his father-in-law—he trafficked tons upon tons of cocaine, amassing a fortune. We delve into the investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) through its Atlanta, Georgia office. 

It also details how the cell led by Edgar Valdés Villarreal waged a bloody battle against Los Zetas— also during the 2000s— for control of that corridor we mentioned, and how Washington managed to turn Edgar Valdés Villarreal into an active collaborator. 

In other words, this man—who is serving a sentence and, if lucky, will be released after more than 80 years—demonstrates how the cartels operated back then: figures like La Barbie and others betraying one another, as well as Arturo Beltrán Leyva, one of the most important Mexican traffickers, who was taken down in the late 2000s. 

All the details are there. Furthermore, it shows us how U.S. agenciesmonitored this criminal network, identifying arms traffickers, money couriers, and, of course, the individuals who transported Colombian cocaine to the United States for distribution. 

Victor, perfect, Ángel. We’ll read about it tomorrow in *Milenio Diario* and on Milenio.com—covering one of the last remaining operatives of that once-famous cell,

the Beltrán Leyva criminal group.

Source: Milenio