US

Did U.S. Agents Offer a Mexican Drug Suspect Immunity?

Did U.S. Agents Offer a Mexican Drug Suspect Immunity?

Vincente Zambad-Niebla, a Mexican drug smuggling suspect, now claims he can't be prosecuted in the U.S. because he acted as an informant in return for immunity. (AP File Photo)

A Mexican drug suspect awaiting trial in Chicago on smuggling charges is now saying he can’t be prosecuted — because he worked as an informant for the U.S. government and was promised immunity.

The report could be just the latest major embarrassment for the Drug Enforcement Agency as congressional leaders continue to probe the Operation Fast and Furious gunwalking scandal.

According to CBS News’ Sharyl Attkisson — the same reporter who said a White House official “screamed” and “cussed” at her for her “Fast and Furious” coverage — Vicente Zambada-Niebla said Drug Enforcement Agents gave him and other Sinaloa cartel leaders “carte blanche” to “operate their drug business without interference” as long as they informed on other cartels.

CBS reported:

Prosecutors say Vicente Zambada-Niebla oversaw drug running on a massive scale into the U.S. But now, from behind bars at a maximum security prison in Chicago, he’s making his own explosive accusations — that U.S. government agents have been aiding Mexico’s infamous Sinaloa cartel — even tipping off leaders on how to avoid capture.

Agents are denying they offered immunity, and Phil Jordan, the former head of the DEA’s Center for Drug Trafficking Intelligence, told CBS the agency doesn’t have the authority to make such a deal anyway.

“We do not have the power to offer immunity,” he said.

But according to CBS, court documents show the U.S. did have a signed cooperation agreement with a different Sinaloa leader:

That agreement was with Sinaloa cartel lawyer Humberto Loya-Castro. Starting as early as 2004, Loya passed information to the DEA from cartel leaders including Zambada — the one now on trial. In return, Zambada claims, the U.S. dismissed a major case against Loya and agreed to “not … interfere with” the cartel’s “drug trafficking” or actively prosecute their leadership.

Jordan told CBS only that such a deal was “probably a matter of trying to get inside or closer intelligence to the whole Mexican federation, as we call it.”

Zambada’s claims come amid a New York Times report that the U.S. is increasingly infiltrating dangerous Mexican gangs with “significantly” built-up networks of informants.

Prosecutors told CBS that even if agents did offer Zambada immunity it could not be enforced.

Comments (40)

  • cactiv
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 3:32pm

    So what’s new? This country has been taken over by the Narco Terrorists decades ago. You don’t believe it? Well, just ask JFK….oh, wait. Maybe RFK….oh, wait. Maybe MLK and….oh, wait. Bush Sr., CIA, Iran Contra, all the way back to the British Empire and the Heroin trade. And more to the point, today’s professional launderers:

    Ghost drug plane linked to Wachovia Bank Scandal –
    http://www.madcowprod.com/08242011.htm

    Report Post »  
  • Small World
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 10:11pm

    call Judge Napolitano.

    Report Post »  
  • lylejk
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:08pm

    Even if so, the FED would deny this so this guy will stay rotting in jail thank God. Could you imagine if someone in the Justice administration comes to court and states that this thug get released? That would be a wet dream for a Republican. :)

    Report Post » lylejk  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 6:18pm

      If you are asking me, I’d say: YES.

      Our government “IS” actively subverting this nations founding. (not that previous administrations didn’t) Period. don’t care what your personal views are. The sum is FAR too large for ‘coincidence’ to be a valid consideration. It’s just not statistically feasible. But coupled with human and political motivations there is Z-E-R-O chance the sum equals what we are being TOLD it equals. It’s just not possible.

      Only fools would believe what we are told this is “represents” in the light of all of the evidence.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:25am

    Isn‘t he Calderon’s nephew?

    Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:33am

      Mexican Drug suspect = Federal agent.

      Abolish the FBI, ATF, CIA, etc.

      They’re all corrupt.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • Junter
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:09am

    I say let this man stay behind bars. But, give him pick of which prison and a couple years off his sentence if he wants to oust feds illegally assisting drug cartels.

    Report Post »  
  • neke
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 10:23am

    And is anyone surprised?

    Report Post »  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:41am

    Put them ALL in JAIL

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • MominVA
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:11am

    Ok, does anyone else notice the GLARING difference between this and Fast & Furious? Here it is the leader of a drug cartel making claims, while F&F it was sworn ATF agents blowing the whistle. I am calling BS on this guy, he is just trying to take advantage of the mood in this country over F&F.

    Report Post »  
    • jkendal
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:21am

      If it isn’t clear to everyone by now that this regime is at war with America…

      We can’t wait – we MUST impeach this monster and send him packing before his mission to destroy us is complete…..

      Report Post »  
    • handy
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:35pm

      i don’t think he is lying, how can anybody trust the ATF after they give weapons to drug cartels with no way to track them,

      Report Post » handy  
  • hempstead1944
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:23am

    Another admirable move by the DOJ ….. can’t get out of their own way…

    Report Post »  
  • ThoreauHD
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:07am

    Bloody Hell. There are some many people to charge with treason, I’m losing track.

    Report Post » ThoreauHD  
  • Robert-CA
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:59am

    The DEA is corrupted with drug money , we all still remember how Johnny Sutton gave a drug dealer carte blanche so that Johnny Sutton can prosecute US Border agents instead of prosecuting the drug dealer .

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
  • DaveOregon
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 11:56pm

    DEA and ATF – time for them to go away. Not “absorbed” – jsut flat ass defunded and all agents released from duty period! FBI? Time to put a Congressional Inspector watching over them that can’t be fired by the Pres – no power – but total reporting ability to the Congress. Congress? EVERY DAMN POLITICIAN WHOSE BEEN IN OFFICE MORE THEN TWO TERMS IS OUT – REGARDLESS OF PARTY! It’s like Ron Paul – over 30 years in the House – what has he ever done? At least Bachmann has been screaming about Obummer from day one. Issa is doing good – but McConnell? That old man is so out of it. Boehner – god, let hime cry at home.

    Report Post »  
    • OneShotPagan
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:22am

      Yep_Pers!
      Let’s add to that a boycott of Vegas (as they have kept Reed in office … an obvious problem) and LA, (as they have kept the Space Cadet in office) … include all of the radicals … on second thought, since they have allowed the Mexicans free-reign … let’s give California back to Mexico … we wouldn’t have to bail out Gov. Moonbeam, etc.

      Meanwhile, let’s let the “Colonies” go to the totalitarian block … as the Peoples Republic of the Americas … and the USA would be the surviving rest of the continent. The Yankees get to drink their Kool_Aide, the left coast won’t know the difference while the Mexicans get their way … and the rest of us ca get back to the American Dream! Life is good!

      Report Post » OneShotPagan  
    • UrbanCombatSurvivor
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:47am

      Wait, you’re giving credit to former democrat Bachmann, who worked for Jimmy Carter, while calling Ron Paul into question???

      Haha, seriously? You’re pretty transparent here homer. Sorry, but I don‘t buy that you’re ignorant enough to play this game, which means you’re informed enough to understand the lies, both stated and implied in your post.

      Report Post »  
  • OneShotPagan
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 11:37pm

    “… all over again” There is too much money going to Administration officials … since Clinton … to do anything about it. It is very deep and everyone knows it … We will have no border security, no end to drug war expenditures, no end to drug related violence until the prohibition is repealed, just like with alcohol. Bear in mind that Chicago was made so corrupt by alcohol prohibition and remains a continuing criminal enterprise to this date.

    The great myth is that this can’t be done … the truth is that it would be a huge new source of tax revenue, would eliminate billions in drug war expenditures, reduce murders related to turf wars, control the potency and safety of the drugs and basically settle a lot of problems all at once.

    It won’t happen because people are too stupid to listen to what they know deep down inside.

    Just keep drinking the Cool-Aide and vote Democratic … idiots

    Report Post » OneShotPagan  
  • ares338
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 11:17pm

    Yep…probably immunity and a college education!

    Report Post » ares338  
    • wtfhappend
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 11:58pm

      Better through in some healthcare and food plans as well.

      Report Post » wtfhappend  
  • Depressed_American
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 11:13pm

    This has got to be the MOST CORRUPT Administration and DOJ that this country has ever had. WHEN WILL CONGRESS DO ITS JOB AND IMPEACH AND FIRE/ARREST THE WHOLE LOT OF THEM!!!!

    Report Post » Depressed_American  
  • paulusmaximus
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:35pm

    Dirty hands climb higher and higher! It’s why there is no fence and why b order guards are in prison for doing their jobs! This agreement goes to 2004 the bureaucrats are blind as long as there is green it front of their eyes.

    Report Post » paulusmaximus  
  • whatthecrazy
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:22pm

    OK is this groundhog day?

    Report Post »  
    • copatriots
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:39pm

      One could only hope! At least that way we’d keep repeating the same day until we got it right. I’d rather it be a collective nightmare that we are all going to wake up from any second now…… Someone start counting backwards from 3…..2……1…….snap. Oh crap……we’re still here.

      Report Post »  
  • netmail
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:15pm

    The devil has been on a winning streak but does our govt only ‘deal with the devil’ or become one with him? I say the latter for THIS administration….How bout some justice in 2013? And how can we help that border agent that just got two years for rough cuffing a punk, illegal drug smuggler?? Honestly, Im getting dizzy from so many crazy, sad, terrible stories day in, day out.

    Report Post »  
  • copatriots
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:04pm

    Sheesh…….information is coming out so fast and furious with this administration I can barely keep up.

    But….let me get this straight. Today, we put a U.S. Border Agent in prison for 2 years and give a mexican drug suspect immunity. Sounds about right….. I wonder if the drug smuggler had a gun or two courtesy of Eric Holder.

    Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:23pm

      whats driving me nuts this very second is the 509 area code is my state of wa who has the lowest deportation rate currently in the US. they have made us a safe haven for illegals and are sucking us dry. their gangs have infultrated our small rural communities and it isnt safe for children to go to school with the drive by shootings and crime brought in. http://www.komonews.com/news/local/132378338.html

      Report Post »  
    • copatriots
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:34pm

      Stay safe, HORSE! You might consider moving to the 817 area code. Although, that will probably just buy you a couple of years. My favorite quote these days:

      For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

      Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:49pm

      Amen love that verse

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 10:01am

      HORSECRAZY

      I grew up in Lakewood, WA. I went to my 40 year reunion and couldn’t wait to get out WA. WA used to be a great state to raise kids. Now it is a cess pool.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:55pm

    Government lies to everyone else,why not him?

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • niterider
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:53pm

    Vicente, you trusted the DEA , who works for Eric Holder ? Seriously ? Wow, I am speechless for you. You did not ask for it in writing, did you ? Vincente, NO!

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:47pm

    Can’t some congressman get enough dirt on our Marxist president to impeach him ? Fast & furious should be enough to end our nightmare,agents were killed and someone has to go.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Kathleen3
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:57pm

      I often think the same and the only conclusion I can come to is: either the Republicans are incompetent, apathetic, or complicit.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:09pm

      @ProgressiveSlayer:

      There is more than enough dirt to impeach the POTUS as far as I am concerned. Yet there are two major obstacles I do see that keep the matter from coming forth…

      A. Reid and his dominance in the Senate; so long as he remains, nothing will get done.
      B. The spectre for the Right of the Clinton impeachment fiasco.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • booger71
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 11:43pm

      They already have it in exceeding the war powers act.

      Report Post » booger71  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:45pm

    Okay, I will say there is a chance this characters story is false just to cause trouble. Yet with the way the current administration has handled things so much; I have ot wonder if at least part of his story, if not all of it, is true.

    Somehow I can see this having been part of the fast and furious fiasco to use as another fine set of reasons for the admin to take even more of our freedoms away.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • MeteoricLimbo
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:45pm

    faster and curiouser

    Report Post » MeteoricLimbo  

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