Commander Rolando Flores of the Mexican police investigating the murder of the American tourist, David Hartley, was found murdered in the border state of Tamaulipas. The authorities have not yet linked the two murders. Tamaulipas state prosecutor spokesman Ruben Dario Rios says that the investigator was working on many cases simultaneously and his death may not be necessarily linked to that of Mr. Cartel. He refused to comment on the report that Commander Flores’ head was delivered to the Mexican Army in a suitcase.
David Hartley and his wife Tiffany were apparently ambushed by gunmen in boats when the two went jet-skiing into the Mexican side Lake Falcon on October 6th. Neither Mr. Hartley’s body nor his jet ski has been recovered. Texas Department of Public Safety say that gunmen armed with AK-47s and AR-15 rifles have attacked and robbed tourists in five separate incidents on the lake since April. They disguise themselves as the Mexican Police or as vessels belonging to the Texas Parks and Wildlife. Such attacks by the drug cartels on tourists in public places are a sign of the growing control of the Mexican territory. Some reports say that the pirates attacking the tourists and fishermen on Lake Falcon belong to the powerful Zeta drug cartel. The lake is so dangerous that the Mexican law enforcement officers refuse to patrol the area in the nights. Lack of coordination between the Mexican and American officials have led to greater areas of insecurity.
This is not the first time an officer of the law has been murdered in an attempt to intimidate. The drug cartels have majority of the officers on their payroll. The recent slayings of the mayors and investigators show how deeply the drug gangs have in filtered into the system. They have access to even confidential information.
