Gulf cartel leader in ICE's custody

By ALICIA A. CALDWELL / Associated Press Writer
Posted: 04/08/2009 06:28:09 AM MDT

EL PASO -- A former high-ranking member of one of Mexico's most violent drug cartels was immediately taken into custody by immigration officials Tuesday after he was released from a federal prison in West Texas.
Jose Manuel Garza Rendon, 46, was once a top lieutenant in the Gulf Cartel, according to federal prosecutors.

He surrendered to U.S. authorities in 2001 after his indictment the year before with 11 other leaders, including reputed boss Osiel Cardenas Guillen.

Court records show Garza made a deal with federal prosecutors and pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy with intent to distribute marijuana for a drug deal involving about a ton of marijuana sent to Houston.

Investigators interviewed him but it is unclear what, if anything, Garza told federal agents about his associates or if he has agreed to testify against anyone else.

Cardenas was extradited to the U.S. last year and is expected to stand trial on drug and other charges in Houston in September.

Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Traci Billingsly said prison records showed that Garza was released Tuesday from the Reeves County Detention Center in Pecos, a county-owned but privately run prison about 200 miles east of El Paso that houses criminal immigrants.

Leticia Zamarrita, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in El Paso, said Garza is now being detained by ICE and has been "placed in removal hearings."

Lee Morgan, a retired U.S. Customs agent who spent much of his career investigating Mexican drug cartels, said when Garza is returned to Mexico he'll likely spend the rest of his life on the run.

"About the only thing I can say is it's about self-explanatory; it's not a real bright future," Morgan said. "All I can tell you is they have long memories."

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_12097413