Pubdate: Sun, 17 Jul 2005
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2005 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.mercurynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390
Author: Alfredo Corchado and Jason Trahan, Dallas Morning News

FBI'S WORRY: TERRORISTS MAY USE DRUG CROSSINGS

DALLAS - Dirt roads trace pale lines across a desolate landscape of 
bald peaks and plunging canyons near Texas' Big Bend and bridge the 
Mexican border at dozens of improvised crossings. For decades, these 
routes have been used to smuggle drugs and people. Now there is 
growing concern they could become deadly conduits for terrorism.

A confidential but unclassified FBI intelligence bulletin, obtained 
by the Dallas Morning News, contains the vague outlines of a possible 
terrorist plot.

Officials from both sides of the border downplayed the possible 
threat but acknowledged that it is the sort of scenario they have to 
guard against. The prospect of terrorists crossing the southern 
border has been a rising concern among officials in Texas and Washington.

The plot, according to uncorroborated information provided by an FBI 
informant, involves a man, described as an Arab who goes by the 
nickname "El Espanol," and Ernesto Zatarin Beliz, also known as "El 
Traca," a reputed Mexican drug trafficker and member of the Zetas, 
the feared enforcers of the notorious Gulf cartel.

"El Espanol is gathering truck drivers with knowledge of truck routes 
in the United States and explosive experts" in the state of Coahuila, 
according to the March 11 memo, which originated in the San Diego FBI 
office and was made available by a U.S. attorney's office. The 
informant "believes that the activity in Coahuila, Mexico, is 
terrorist-related."

In exchange for the Zetas' help in recruiting drivers, the memo says, 
the Arab -- who barely speaks Spanish -- promised to help them fund 
and execute a plan to free Gulf cartel leader Osiel Cardenas from 
prison. The Gulf cartel is embroiled in a bloody turf war with rival 
traffickers for control of Nuevo Laredo, a key drug-smuggling route 
into the United States.

According to the FBI memo, Traca was attempting to recruit a security 
guard at a Mexican government explosives factory in Cuatro Cienegas, 
Coahuila, to assist with the Arab's plan. The region is known for 
producing nitric acid and ammonium nitrate, materials that are used 
for industrial and agricultural purposes and can also be ingredients 
for explosives.

The informant has "provided reliable narcotics intelligence in the 
past," the bulletin says, but adds that the informant also flunked 
two polygraph tests.
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MAP posted-by: Beth