Breakout Fears Trigger Mexican Prison Transfer for Gulf Cartel Faction Boss

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Tamaulipas – Fearing a possible breakout, authorities moved a top faction leader for the Gulf Cartel from this city to a federal prison in the Mexican state of Durango.

This week, Tamaulipas law enforcement turned over Jose Alfredo “El Contador” Cardenas Martinez to federal authorities for a prison transfer. Cardenas Martinez, also known by the names “Sr. Cortez” and “Escorpion 1,” is blamed in part for the ongoing violence around the border cities of Reynosa and Matamoros. His forces are trying to take over lucrative drug and human smuggling territories into Texas. His faction of the Gulf Cartel is also linked to kidnapping and extortion operations in Ciudad Victoria and other cities in Tamaulipas.

Earlier this month, Mexican federal authorities arrested Cardenas in the state of San Luis Potosi. The bust was based on an intelligence operation that ended without confrontation.

The dangerous capo was being held at the state prison in Ciudad Victoria, however, law enforcement feared a possible breakout or escape. The prison has seen its share of violence with various riots, murders, and escapes.

Law enforcement sources revealed to Breitbart News that Cardenas Martinez was moved to a federal prison called Cefereso #14 in Durango. Cardenas Martinez is facing kidnapping charges in Tamaulipas. It remains unclear whether he will face new federal charges or if the transfer was done only to ensure security.

Editor’s Note: Breitbart Texas traveled to the Mexican States of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Nuevo León to recruit citizen journalists willing to risk their lives and expose the cartels silencing their communities.  The writers would face certain death at the hands of the various cartels that operate in those areas including the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas if a pseudonym were not used. Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles are published in both English and in their original Spanish. This article was written by “Francisco Morales” and “J.A. Espinoza” from Tamaulipas and “J.M. Martinez” from Coahuila.