Mexican authorities have arrested a former U.S. soldier who allegedly made explosives for the Gulf Cartel just south of the Texas border, an arrest that was largely kept secret as federal authorities pursued charges of making land mines and other explosives.
Breitbart Texas confirmed to sources at the Mexican Attorney General’s Office that a group of federal agents arrested William Louis Anhart in Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, in May. The arrest took place during a raid on a camp used by the Escorpiones faction of the Gulf Cartel. During the raid, authorities arrested several Gulf Cartel militants and seized various explosive devices and components.
Shortly after his arrest, Mexican authorities flew Anhart to Mexico City where he is being held while he awaits trial on various federal charges related to Mexico’s weapons and explosives laws. Mexican authorities say Anhart is a U.S. military veteran, but have not released details about his military history. Anhart, a U.S. citizen, is reportedly wanted in Colorado on sex offense charges.
Anhart’s arrest comes just weeks after the Escorpiones faction of the Gulf Cartel began using landmines and improvised explosive devices along various dirt roads in the northern state of Tamaulipas, as reported exclusively by Breitbart Texas. The use of these devices comes as the Escorpiones faction of the Gulf Cartel continues to engage in a fierce turf war with a rival faction in Reynosa, the Metros.
After initially denying or trying to cover up information about the mines, government officials were forced to admit that members of organized crime had planted them in the upstate, Breitbart Texas reported.
While the Tamaulipas government claims there is almost no crime in the state, turf wars within the Gulf Cartel have led to numerous shootouts, kidnappings and murders.
Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist at Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and senior Breitbart management. twitter and FacebookContact details: email address.
Brandon Darby is Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and other senior Breitbart executives. twitter and FacebookContact details: email address.
