U.S. prosecutors says former Mexican public safety secretary Genaro Garcia Luna made millions helping the Sinaloa drug cartel. (Marco Ugarte/AP)

NEW YORK — Mexico’s former top law enforcement official Genaro Garcia Luna made millions moonlighting as an enabler for the Sinaloa Cartel even as he stood as a symbol of his country’s struggling war on the narcotics trafficking trade, prosecutors said at the start of his trial.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Pilmar said in his opening arguments to a jury Monday that under Garcia Luna’s watch, the cartel he collaborated with sent “literal tons” of cocaine to the United States, as “federal police acted as armed mercenaries to take out the enemies the cartel wanted removed.”

“The defendant took their money and betrayed his oath to their country,” Pilmar argued at the start of what is slated to be an eight-week trial in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, where former Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was previously tried and convicted.

Garcia Luna’s attorney Cesar de Castro argued the government’s case against the former official lacked “any objective evidence.”

“The evidence is based on speculation and the words of some of the biggest criminals in the world,” he added, telling the panel that the witnesses for the prosecution are guilty of heinous crimes and have “overwhelming motives to lie” about Garcia Luna taking bribes to help their own cases.

De Castro added that the witnesses are also looking for revenge because the cartel did not get the protection it paid for under what was a genuine crime-fighting mission in Mexico with Garcia Luna as a leader. The attorney showed photos of Garcia Luna with top U.S. officials, including former president Barack Obama, former attorney general Eric Holder and members of Congress, to depict how integral he was to a joint U.S.-Mexico narcotics trafficking effort.

Garcia Luna, who was tasked with taking down the drug trafficking organization, is accused of taking in tens of millions in cartel bribe money that enabled the Sinaloa cartel to operate freely.

From 2001 to 2005, Garcia ran the Federal Investigation Agency and from 2006 to 2012 he was Mexico’s secretary of public security.

Garcia Luna was taken into custody in Dallas in December 2019, marking another narcotics trade prosecution in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York connected to “El Chapo,” who was known for his ability to escape law enforcement custody. Guzman was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years in July 2019 for running a massive drug trafficking network that had an extensive network of public officials on its payroll.

Garcia Luna faces significant prison time if convicted on charges including continuing criminal enterprise, international cocaine distribution and drug-related conspiracies.

As egg prices soar, so do attempts to bring them across the US-Mexico border: US officials

With egg prices spiking 59.9% year-over-year, so have the number of attempts to bring them across the U.S.-Mexico border.

“There has been a large increase in the volume of prohibited food items, such as raw eggs and raw poultry meat, brought by travelers from Mexico. We would like to remind the traveling public that federal agricultural regulations remain in effect,” said Jennifer De La O, CBP Director of Field Operations in San Diego, said in a recent release.

Roger Maier, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Public Affairs Specialist in El Paso, Texas, told Yahoo Finance he’s seen a dramatic “increase in people attempting to cross eggs from Juarez to El Paso because they are significantly less expensive in Mexico than the United States.”

In the El Paso crossing area alone, the agency reported the number of eggs and poultry seizures rose 108% from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 of last year.

Under Federal Law, travelers are prohibited to bring certain agriculture products, including eggs as chickens, into the U.S. because they could carry plant pests and foreign animal diseases.

Maier said for the most part, travelers declare the eggs during the primary border inspection only to have them collected and destroyed by officials, usually without penalty. “Typically people are not concealing the product,” he stressed.

But those who don’t declare what they’re transporting can face fines. “When that happens the eggs are seized and the individual is assessed a $300 civil penalty. Penalties can be higher for repeat offenders or commercial size imports,” he said.

Indeed, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations Jennifer De La O took to Twitter to warn travelers that the fine can be even more — particularly for those attempting to bring in large amounts to resell. “As a reminder, uncooked eggs are prohibited entry from Mexico into the U.S. Failure to declare agriculture items can results in penalties of up to $10,000.”

The USDA says there’s relief in sight for egg lovers — and border agents — with inventory on the rise and prices starting to fall.

“During the last week of 2022, inventory sizes started to rise, and prices fell. Going forward, wholesale prices are expected to decrease as the industry moves past the holiday season and continues rebuilding its egg-laying flocks.”

American travelers trying to return home from Tijuana, Mexico fined thousands to cross border

American travelers say they were fined thousands to cross Tijuana border to come back home

American travelers coming back from Tijuana, Mexico tell FOX 11 they were fined as much as $5,000 for trying to cross the border to come back home. An attorney says the fines are sometimes the result of being in the wrong lane at the border crossing.

Southern California residents say a trip to Tijuana turned into a nightmare on their way back home.

“They shackled me to this metal bench as I waited for three hours,” said Rose, a Burbank resident.

Ana Salazar from Pasadena added, “I had never been humiliated in my life the way I was humiliated that afternoon.”

Both described being treated like criminals and forced to pay thousands of dollars so their vehicles wouldn’t be impounded at the Tijuana/San Ysidro Port of Entry. It wasn’t a shakedown by Mexican authorities. It was US Customs and Border Protection agents detaining drivers for hours and citing them with hefty fines.

Why?

“We just got into the wrong lane. We didn’t do anything else wrong but get into the wrong lane,” said Bernardo Montenegro and his common law wife Patricia Caro of Fontana.

The lane he’s referring to is called Sentri Lane. Only pre-approved travelers can use this lane to cross the border faster. Caro said, “Once you’re in the lane, you can’t get out, and you know, what can you do?”

Concrete barriers make it impossible to get out of the lane. Drivers who’ve been trapped in the Sentri lane blame the roundabouts and signs in Tijuana that are a bit confusing. They also say navigation apps are sending drivers directly to the Sentri lane.

“When we put in the address to go back home, it basically told us to go through a certain way, I guess Sentri is the fastest way to get out of the border,” said Rose.

Travelers told FOX 11 that they flagged a CBP agent before they got to the actual checkpoint to let them know they had accidentally driven to the wrong lane.

Attorney John Manley has represented drivers who’ve been detained, fined, and cuffed. According to him, fines are primarily issued to U.S. Citizens.

“They basically shackle you to a bench for two, three hours,” he said. “They say, ‘Yep, we’re gonna take your car,’ or, ‘we’re gonna fine you $5,000,’ for what amounts to being in the wrong lane of traffic.”

CBP agents said drivers are issued a $5,000 citation only after they’ve entered the Sentri lane for a third time. But the people we interviewed say they were never issued a warning. Salazar said what she witnessed while waiting to be released makes her believe this is all about generating money for the department.

“When I was in the office waiting, one of the agents came in and he shouted at everyone else in the office, ‘Oh, we got another $5K,’” she said. “Obviously, it was someone else that went through the same thing I did. So, I just thought to myself, Oh, this is just a business.”

Customs and Border Protection declined an interview with FOX 11. The Public Information Officer explained SENTRI Lane violations are covered under “19 U-S Code 1436.”

Meanwhile, Bernardo and Patricia filed a petition to have their fines dismissed. They were fined a total $10,000.

CBP eventually forgave 90% of their penalties.

‘’Coyote’ who smuggled Mexican citizens to Sacramento gets one-year prison sentence

A federal judge on Monday sentenced a man to a year in prison for transporting Mexican citizens smuggled into the U.S. after he threatened the Sacramento family of one migrant over a pay dispute, prosecutors said.

Mateo Gomez Gonzalez, 29, of Mexico, was sentenced for unlawful transportation of noncitizens without status, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento announced in a news release. Gomez, who was identified by prosecutors as a human smuggler also known as a “coyote,” pleaded guilty to the federal charge on Oct. 24.

On Sept. 28, a Sacramento resident called law enforcement officials to report his relative and a family friend were being held against their will over a payment dispute in a human smuggling operation.

Prosecutors said the driver of a vehicle, later identified as Gomez, was threatening to drop the relative and the family friend at an unknown stash house rather than to the awaiting family members if additional payment was not made. Gomez was part of a smuggling ring that brought people from Mexico into the country through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, according to a criminal complaint filed Oct. 3 in federal court.

The migrants told authorities that they first encountered Gomez when he began driving them from Albuquerque, New Mexico. He refused to turn over the two migrants unless he was paid twice as much as he had arranged for delivering them to Sacramento, according to the filed court document.

In response to the tip, law enforcement officials found a gray Honda Pilot with Arizona license plates at a gas station near the Yolo County town of Dunnigan. Authorities found four passengers in the vehicle who had entered the country illegally, and they arrested Gomez.

Mexico Plans to Replace the 20 Peso Bill with a Coin

BanderasNews

Mexico City – The 20-peso bill, considered the most beautiful in Latin America in 2021, will officially be withdrawn from circulation in 2025 to be replaced by coins, according to the Bank of Mexico (Banxico).

“The banknotes and coins in the withdrawal process still retain their liberating power; that is, they are worth the denomination they indicate, but by resolution of the Bank of Mexico they will be withdrawn from circulation through the banks,” Banxico said in a statement.

The central bank’s determination to start withdrawing this banknote, and replacing it with a coin is due to several factors, one of which is that coins have a longer lifespan than banknotes. Banxico feels that the coins are easier to transport and store without being damaged.

The new 20-peso bill, which was released on September 24, 2021 to honor the 200th anniversary of the country’s independence, won the prize for the most beautiful in Latin America, in the category of Best New Commemorative Bill in Latin America, which was awarded by the company High Security Printing (HSP).

But last year, Banxico announced that it would stop producing the bank note in 2023, due to a change in plans by the Institution.

Officials say the new 20-peso bill will disappear by the year 2025.

The coins that will replace the 20-peso bills came out at the same time as the commemorative edition, in three designs: 200 years of Mexican independence, 700 years of the Fundación Lunar de México-Tenochtitlan, and 500 years of Historical Memory of Mexico City.

Avocados from Mexico gives Super Bowl parties a glow up with Pantone

Dive Brief:

• Avocados from Mexico unveiled its own Pantone color and an accompanying line of decor tailored for Super Bowl watch parties, per a news release.
• The color is described as a vibrant yellow-green meant to embody the namesake fruit at perfect ripeness. A limited-edition Avocado Glow Collection features a range of products, including a throw pillow, serving tray, guacamole bowl, apron and oven mitts united by the earthy hue.
• Consumers interested in securing the goods can enter their personal information for a chance to win the collection through Avocados from Mexico’s website starting today (Jan. 19). Other experiments around the big game include a new audio identity to create a more immersive Avocados From Mexico experience.

Dive Insight:

A Super Bowl regular, Avocados from Mexico is enhancing its marketing outside of the broadcast itself through the custom Pantone color and multisensory assets. The strategy could make a more memorable impression on consumers as they plan watch parties in the lead-up to the big game, which is a major sales occasion for the produce marketer.

Avocados from Mexico will run a 30-second spot during the NFL championship on Feb. 12, marking the eighth time it has done so in the past decade. The Super Bowl remains the biggest night in sports, with many viewers tuning in specifically to see the commercials. But as linear TV habits otherwise wane, more brands are focusing their energy on digital activities to drum up excitement and extend the shelf life of Super Bowl campaigns.

The Pantone color is attached to a collection of decor that could appeal to people hoping to add a unique spin to their viewing occasions. The hue resembles the inside of a ripe avocado, with a creamy yellow center surrounded by earthy green. The concept intends to tell “a story of the delicious flavor and the natural freshness of a heart-healthy ingredient,” said Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, in a statement.

“It represents a brand that aims to make everything better; one that invites you to join a joyful celebration and to live life to its fullest with the vibrancy inspired by the traditional spirit of Mexicanity,” added Pressman.

At the same time, Avocados from Mexico is investing more in its audio identity to give consumers a layered sense of its brand, executives said. The company teamed with sonic branding agency Amp to develop AFM’s Sonic DNA, which draws on an established jingle and is sprinkled throughout its interactive digital Super Bowl platform. The dedicated website lets people play around with the tune and explore other content, including recipe ideas.

Avocados from Mexico’s broader Super Bowl campaign is centered on “good times and good taste,” a mantra communicated through a #MakeItBetter hashtag. Real-life couple Deion Sanders and Tracey Edmonds feature prominently in marketing elements, including on in-store displays carrying QR codes that let shoppers vote on their dueling recipes.

How to Make the Best Guacamole

Prep Time10 mins

Total Time10 mins

Servings 2 to 4 servings

Be careful handling chilis! If using, it’s best to wear food-safe gloves. If no gloves are available, wash your hands thoroughly after handling, and do not touch your eyes or the area near your eyes for several hours afterwards.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime or lemon juice
• 2 to 4 tablespoons minced red onion or thinly sliced green onion
• 1 to 2 serrano (or jalapeño) chilis, stems and seeds removed, minced
• 2 tablespoons cilantro (leaves and tender stems), finely chopped
• Pinch freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 ripe tomato, chopped (optional)
• Red radish or jicama slices for garnish (optional)
• Tortilla chips, to serve

Method

1. Cut the avocado:

Cut the avocados in half. Remove the pit. Score the inside of the avocado with a blunt knife and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. (See How to Cut and Peel an Avocado.) Place in a bowl.

2. Mash the avocado flesh:

Using a fork, roughly mash the avocado. (Don’t overdo it! The guacamole should be a little chunky.)

3.Add the remaining ingredients to taste:

Sprinkle with salt and lime (or lemon) juice. The acid in the lime juice will provide some balance to the richness of the avocado and will help delay the avocados from turning brown.

Add the chopped onion, cilantro, black pepper, and chilis. Chili peppers vary individually in their spiciness. So, start with a half of one chili pepper and add more to the guacamole to your desired degree of heat.

Remember that much of this is done to taste because of the variability in the fresh ingredients. Start with this recipe and adjust to your taste.

4. Serve immediately:

If making a few hours ahead, place plastic wrap on the surface of the guacamole and press down to cover it to prevent air reaching it. (The oxygen in the air causes oxidation which will turn the guacamole brown.)

Garnish with slices of red radish or jigama strips. Serve with your choice of store-bought tortilla chips or make your own homemade tortilla chips.

Refrigerate leftover guacamole up to 3 days.

Note: Chilling tomatoes hurts their flavor. So, if you want to add chopped tomato to your guacamole, add it just before serving.

A Mexico Retreat to Shift Your Career

Casa Velas

Casa Velas Pool View (photo via Casa Velas)

Are you ready to take control of your career and level up in the work world? Look no further than Casa Velas, a luxury boutique hotel for adults only in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

From April 24-28, 2023, guests can join a transformational retreat led by career counselor and life coach, Ruth Beltran. With over 20 years of experience as a senior business leader and consultant for companies like HBO and Citibank, Beltran is here to guide you on your journey to a renewed career path.

During the retreat, you’ll dive into topics like job search strategy, personal mission statements, and interviewing skills, all while taking a closer look at the unique realities and implications of the work world. You’ll leave feeling motivated, inspired, and equipped with the tools you need to navigate the changing job market and make informed career decisions.

Here’s a look at the 4-day program:

– April 24th: Arrival and welcome reception at 6:00 p.m.

– April 25th: Getting your bearings & setting our course: – Take a closer look at the most crucial work world realities and the implications for you. – Learn about a strategy for navigating this changing world. – Learn about the North Star template.

– April 26th: North Star and power tools – Learn how to create your own North Star, essential to all career decision-making. – Personal mission statement – Super Power stories – Resumes & letters – Interviews – The campaign “How do people get jobs?”

– April 27th: Putting it together into action – Defining your target – Resume & Interview strategies – Executing a campaign “What to expect” – How to prepare and follow up – Handling hurdles

– April 28th: Departure

The best part? If you’re a hotel guest, the retreat is complimentary. And let’s not forget about the luxurious accommodations, gourmet meals, and premium amenities included at Casa Velas. For non-guests, the cost is only $100 per person and includes a welcome reception, 4.5 hours of workshops, and a Q&A session.

Book now by calling 1-888-407-4869 or visiting https://www.hotelcasavelas.com/packages/career-getaway.