Cartel-Style Violence Spreading in California

Contrary to political rhetoric, Mexican cartel-style killings and gun battles appear to have already reached the U.S. and are spreading — particularly in California. This region saw an explosion in the number of marijuana grow operations run by cartels that took advantage of legalization and loose laws.

This week, federal authorities clashed with one of two gunmen who are accused of killing a family of six — including a 16-year-old female and her baby. Authorities have called the killings a cartel murder.

Federal agents detained Noah David Beard, 25, an Angel, on Friday morning. “Nanu” Uriarte, 35 Los Angeles Times reported. Both men were identified as members of the Sureno Gang. Uriarte fought federal agents in a gun fight. He was left with multiple injuries that required surgery. He is expected survive. Beard was arrested by authorities without any shootout.

The two men are facing six murder charges and several enhancements filed by the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office over the January 16 mass killing. Authorities conducted raids on several homes and prison cells in an effort to target the Nuestra Familia gang. Both the Nuestra Familia as well as the Surenos are known to have worked with Mexican drug cartels in the past.

According To The Los Angeles TimesAuthorities found the 16 year old mother lying in a ditch, cradling her baby in both her arms. Both victims were shot in their heads.  Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux initially claimed that the murder was the work of a cartel. However, he tried to retract the claim later. Times reported.

Tulare County and other Northern California counties have witnessed a dramatic rise of cartels due to legal marijuana trading and lax laws. Many of the Mexican cartel figures that have made a name for themselves in Mexico are U.S. citizens. Jose Maria is among them. “Z-43” Guizar Valencia, a leader of the Los Zetas cartel, was born in Tulare California. He is currently being sentenced on federal drug trafficking offenses in Texas.

According to A report by USA TodaySince California legalized recreational marijuana use, Mexican cartels have relocated their grow operations to the U.S., where they can hide from law-abiding farmers. According to the publication, 10,000 illegal grow operations were reported in Mendocino County in 2021. This issue has led to several high-profile cases like the one in Tulare County just last month.

The main draw for cartels is the fact that illegally growing marijuana is only a misdemeanor in California, and that money is not required. The region doesn’t have enough law enforcement officers available to patrol illegal grow sites or enforce laws against illegal operations. USA Today reported.

Ildefonso Ortiz is an award winning journalist for Breitbart. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and senior Breitbart management. Follow him on Twitter And on Facebook. He can be reached at [email protected]. 

Brandon Darby is Breitbart Texas’ managing director and editor in chief. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and senior Breitbart management. Follow him on Twitter  Facebook. You can contact him at [email protected].     

“C.P. Mireles” from Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project contributed to this report. 

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