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Border & Immigration

Authorities Say Arellano Felix Cartel Leader and Turncoat Lieutenant Agree to Co-exist

Authorities on both sides of the US-Mexico border say the leader of the Arellano-Felix Drug Cartel and a turncoat lieutenant have agreed to a truce. As KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson and Tijuanapress.com tell us, authorities say this will not end drug violence in Tijuana.

US and Mexican authorities say the Arellano Felix cartel leader, Fernando Sanchez Arellano, or “El Ingeniero”, and his breakaway lieutenant, “El Teo” reached an agreement around the start of the year.

Authorities say the accord ends the brutal war between the two.

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Eileen Zeidler , with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, says El Ingeniero has agreed to tolerate El Teo’s extreme violence.

In return, Zeidler says, El Teo has acknowleged El Ingeniero is the leader.

"Now, Sanchez Arellano can focus on the operation of the AFO and trying to recoup and rebuild the AFO. So, they can get onto the business of making money which in their case is drug trafficking."

Tijuana’s police chief has told Tijuanapress-dot-com the accord between El Ingeniero and El Teo will unleash yet more violence in Tijuana. He’s instituted new tactics to respond.