Exclusive: The Mexican government found info from a "dark net" on a Mexican journalist killing and arms sales. But is it just a scam using Mexico's tragedy?
Great reporting and tragic reminder of there risks that Brave Jounalists take to report about Crime in Mexico. The figure that stands out to me is that only 10 % of the murders of journalists has been solved in Mexico. I don’t think most folks realize that the clearance rate for murders in Mexico is about 5 %. As for the dark web, I have an associate that is tech saavy who has told me that the dark web is compromised of a lot of scams, and Federal Agents posing as sellers to entice folks that are up to bad intentions. All the best.
That is very interesting about a lot of feds going on the dark web to bust people. It seems very logical - they can order drugs and guns and things like a buy and bust bust tracing it. Yes, the impunity level of journalist murders, and all murders, in Mexico is so tragic. One day. All best there Bobby X.
Hey Ioan I am huge fan of your substack and I was wondering what you know about Narco Cults? And whether or not you could write a piece about it. I just find it fascinating and weird how there is a religious element incorporated in narco culture.
Thanks much for reading my work and great to hear your voice here. Absolutely, this is a great issue I have studied and will def do some more on this. Back with that soon friend. It's on the list.
Very gritty. Reads like a thriller but hurts as reality. We previously spoke about political assassinations but the murder of journalists feels worse. In my country of South Africa, despite our high crime, this misdeed is low because investigative journalism, proper crime writing, is almost non-existent. What's different in Mexico? What's the psychology behind the next brave journo stepping onto the front line?
Thanks Mike and that is a very interesting question. I think there is certainly a lot of bravery among these journalists and that is a key characteristic. I also think there is a good tradition of journalism and communication here. Perhaps, many are also sadly accustomed to the violent society. I had a more detailed piece on the journalist murders themselves here - https://www.crashoutmedia.com/p/who-is-really-killing-mexican-journalists
(And I'd be very interested to hear more about South African gangs and crime) Best there friend.
That link was a good read and made me wonder why the Mexican govt hasn't kicked you out? I'm sure their beach image is more important than dark tourism.
Gang culture isn't my world. I grew up in a suburb during apartheid. 'Democracy' grew crime.
As a young adult in our 'Rainbow Nation' I saw shit in Durban. Police went from being feared to part of the problem. Similar to what happened during the falling apart of the Soviet Union but not as severe ('TraumaZone' was the best docuseries of 2022). People fought for control of the new drug trade.
A friend's club got shot up, and a club I worked at on the beach front got trashed with customers jumping out of 5 metre high windows. I was one of only 3 who defiantly sat outside afterwards, watching cops in riot gear turn up, and the gang walking up to them, shaking their hands one by one. I got beat up later, and had to watch my back for a year simply because I was told by a girl she was breaking up with her boyfriend who I later found out was a hit man. He got killed by his own people, and I remember the Mail & Guardian reporter stating it was the story he'd been too scared to write for 3 years. Another distinct memory was being at an illegal bar on a rooftop as a bunch of large bouncers gang-banged a 14-year-old over the skirting wall. I was there on a night when the cops raided, and the man sitting next to me, who I didn;t know but turned out to be from another small mafia, simply told his sidekick to tell them to go away, and they did.
But that was all incidental in a country context.
The big problem is in the townships, those previously non-white areas which, for the most part, have stayed non-white, and swelled with poor people. 5km from my father's home, there's a gang-controlled area, the remnants of apartheid.
The best place for you to visit for a story is Cape Town, home of the most Coloureds (a normal word here), and most associated with the Numbers gangs (the 26s, 27s and 28s) which have spread throughout the country.
The city is controlled by the liberal party and hailed as the best city but that's deception because we're comparing bad to worse. Having more security guards than police has fairly protected areas such as the city centre and, especially, wealthy suburbs. It makes for good food and a great postcard (and should be enjoyed). But the townships are often nightmare, a world hardly shown except for crime TV e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDRgT4zcJNc
Lots of dodginess in Cape Town. Cops have a criminal history too. Hell, we're the country whose Police Chief, once upon a time, had a second job as Head of Interpol, and a third job as a crook - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Selebi - The rot has only gotten worse. They're the first line of defence for corruption. I haven't had fun with them.
Chivas Martinez of Borderland Beat luckily fled Mexico before they killed her and her family. She now has to lead an extremely low profile life outside of Mexico. Her brother was killed by the cartels.
Is that right. I have talked to Chivis over mail a few times and have a good relationship with her but don't know anything on her background. She seems a very interesting person. Best there dondonsurvelo
Sobering to be sure, but not too surprising. The $80k price is a lot, but a contractor who's already failed twice probably didn't want more local sicarios one could rent cheaper to fail again. The dark web is rife with scams, of course; but the layer of deniability it may confer can be used by the experienced operator in that space.
It remains a terrible and squalid act to target journalists who are only doing their jobs without specific aggression for assassination. Terrible, squalid, and, moral outrage aside, counter-productive.
Thanks for those good insights as always Shaggy. Yes, there are certainly some factors leaving doubt in this case. The tragedy of journalists being murdered in Mexico has been present for some years, but inserting the dark web into that - whatever the truth - just adds another layer of darkness to it. All best there friend.
The military in the United States has been very reluctant to publicize the thefts of weapons not only by soldiers but by the private military businesses. This is another consequence of the increased privatization of the US military. With military shipments to Ukraine not being monitored nor audited, it was inevitable for military grade weapons to appear on the dark web. There have been numerous arrests of Marines at Camp Pendleton for human smuggling and drug dealing. Many believe that rogue Marines have been responsible for the sale of weapons to Southeast San Diego gangs back in the 1980's and 1990's including the Mexican Mafia.
Yes, good point - it's a big issue and one we need to learn more about. I didn't know about the privatization but this seems a good issue to look into. Best there Tom.
Does any one else think the messages are written in a strange language? There is no slang and no euphemism? You'd assume at least some of these guys are not native English speakers. I'd thought feds and then saw someone else also suggest it. The talk is more literal than I'd have expected! Fascinating and scary.
Yes, I totally agree. The English is very good but slightly odd sounding. It could be Eastern Europeans or Russians or Latin Americans but looks like a lot of people using English as a second language. Still, that in itself doesnt give a conclusive answer to the authenticity. Yeah a vey strange and scary case for sure. All best there Lee.
Very impressive Ioan. There is a underworld, its not new but what kind of measures to contrast the Drak Web ? Our italian judge in first line to fight strong Calabria born mafia, Niccolò Gratteri talked about that italian mafiosi use hith tech, use darl web to expand their business.
Thanks and great to hear your voice hear Marco. The comparisons with Italy are always useful as it has such a wealth of history fighting organized crime we can learn from. I think as the judge pointed out the dark web is a huge issue that will change how organized crime works. I am not totally sure of the best measures right now but I will def get on some more stories on tech and organized crime. Best there friend.
Great reporting and tragic reminder of there risks that Brave Jounalists take to report about Crime in Mexico. The figure that stands out to me is that only 10 % of the murders of journalists has been solved in Mexico. I don’t think most folks realize that the clearance rate for murders in Mexico is about 5 %. As for the dark web, I have an associate that is tech saavy who has told me that the dark web is compromised of a lot of scams, and Federal Agents posing as sellers to entice folks that are up to bad intentions. All the best.
That is very interesting about a lot of feds going on the dark web to bust people. It seems very logical - they can order drugs and guns and things like a buy and bust bust tracing it. Yes, the impunity level of journalist murders, and all murders, in Mexico is so tragic. One day. All best there Bobby X.
Hey Ioan I am huge fan of your substack and I was wondering what you know about Narco Cults? And whether or not you could write a piece about it. I just find it fascinating and weird how there is a religious element incorporated in narco culture.
Thanks much for reading my work and great to hear your voice here. Absolutely, this is a great issue I have studied and will def do some more on this. Back with that soon friend. It's on the list.
Very gritty. Reads like a thriller but hurts as reality. We previously spoke about political assassinations but the murder of journalists feels worse. In my country of South Africa, despite our high crime, this misdeed is low because investigative journalism, proper crime writing, is almost non-existent. What's different in Mexico? What's the psychology behind the next brave journo stepping onto the front line?
Thanks Mike and that is a very interesting question. I think there is certainly a lot of bravery among these journalists and that is a key characteristic. I also think there is a good tradition of journalism and communication here. Perhaps, many are also sadly accustomed to the violent society. I had a more detailed piece on the journalist murders themselves here - https://www.crashoutmedia.com/p/who-is-really-killing-mexican-journalists
(And I'd be very interested to hear more about South African gangs and crime) Best there friend.
That link was a good read and made me wonder why the Mexican govt hasn't kicked you out? I'm sure their beach image is more important than dark tourism.
Gang culture isn't my world. I grew up in a suburb during apartheid. 'Democracy' grew crime.
As a young adult in our 'Rainbow Nation' I saw shit in Durban. Police went from being feared to part of the problem. Similar to what happened during the falling apart of the Soviet Union but not as severe ('TraumaZone' was the best docuseries of 2022). People fought for control of the new drug trade.
A friend's club got shot up, and a club I worked at on the beach front got trashed with customers jumping out of 5 metre high windows. I was one of only 3 who defiantly sat outside afterwards, watching cops in riot gear turn up, and the gang walking up to them, shaking their hands one by one. I got beat up later, and had to watch my back for a year simply because I was told by a girl she was breaking up with her boyfriend who I later found out was a hit man. He got killed by his own people, and I remember the Mail & Guardian reporter stating it was the story he'd been too scared to write for 3 years. Another distinct memory was being at an illegal bar on a rooftop as a bunch of large bouncers gang-banged a 14-year-old over the skirting wall. I was there on a night when the cops raided, and the man sitting next to me, who I didn;t know but turned out to be from another small mafia, simply told his sidekick to tell them to go away, and they did.
But that was all incidental in a country context.
The big problem is in the townships, those previously non-white areas which, for the most part, have stayed non-white, and swelled with poor people. 5km from my father's home, there's a gang-controlled area, the remnants of apartheid.
The best place for you to visit for a story is Cape Town, home of the most Coloureds (a normal word here), and most associated with the Numbers gangs (the 26s, 27s and 28s) which have spread throughout the country.
The city is controlled by the liberal party and hailed as the best city but that's deception because we're comparing bad to worse. Having more security guards than police has fairly protected areas such as the city centre and, especially, wealthy suburbs. It makes for good food and a great postcard (and should be enjoyed). But the townships are often nightmare, a world hardly shown except for crime TV e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDRgT4zcJNc
Thanks for the low down - that is fascinating and some crazy stories. I would love to make it there one day.
Another angle to Cape Town - https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/property-developer-shafiq-naser-killed-by-assassins-on-superbikes-in-cape-town-c277a34c-1ed1-448a-9c59-b9d100e2e9bc
Fascinating - A dubious Palestine / Israel figure murdered in South Africa. Very McMafia stuff.
Lots of dodginess in Cape Town. Cops have a criminal history too. Hell, we're the country whose Police Chief, once upon a time, had a second job as Head of Interpol, and a third job as a crook - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Selebi - The rot has only gotten worse. They're the first line of defence for corruption. I haven't had fun with them.
Chivas Martinez of Borderland Beat luckily fled Mexico before they killed her and her family. She now has to lead an extremely low profile life outside of Mexico. Her brother was killed by the cartels.
Is that right. I have talked to Chivis over mail a few times and have a good relationship with her but don't know anything on her background. She seems a very interesting person. Best there dondonsurvelo
Sobering to be sure, but not too surprising. The $80k price is a lot, but a contractor who's already failed twice probably didn't want more local sicarios one could rent cheaper to fail again. The dark web is rife with scams, of course; but the layer of deniability it may confer can be used by the experienced operator in that space.
It remains a terrible and squalid act to target journalists who are only doing their jobs without specific aggression for assassination. Terrible, squalid, and, moral outrage aside, counter-productive.
Thanks for those good insights as always Shaggy. Yes, there are certainly some factors leaving doubt in this case. The tragedy of journalists being murdered in Mexico has been present for some years, but inserting the dark web into that - whatever the truth - just adds another layer of darkness to it. All best there friend.
Fantastic report. I have a lot of firsthand info on narco-cults as I live among these people, and have for years.
Thanks much there Pastor Sam. And I'd interested in hearing or reading the info on narco cults. Best there.
The military in the United States has been very reluctant to publicize the thefts of weapons not only by soldiers but by the private military businesses. This is another consequence of the increased privatization of the US military. With military shipments to Ukraine not being monitored nor audited, it was inevitable for military grade weapons to appear on the dark web. There have been numerous arrests of Marines at Camp Pendleton for human smuggling and drug dealing. Many believe that rogue Marines have been responsible for the sale of weapons to Southeast San Diego gangs back in the 1980's and 1990's including the Mexican Mafia.
Yes, good point - it's a big issue and one we need to learn more about. I didn't know about the privatization but this seems a good issue to look into. Best there Tom.
Damn good work.
Thanks much and back at yer Longtrail
Does any one else think the messages are written in a strange language? There is no slang and no euphemism? You'd assume at least some of these guys are not native English speakers. I'd thought feds and then saw someone else also suggest it. The talk is more literal than I'd have expected! Fascinating and scary.
Yes, I totally agree. The English is very good but slightly odd sounding. It could be Eastern Europeans or Russians or Latin Americans but looks like a lot of people using English as a second language. Still, that in itself doesnt give a conclusive answer to the authenticity. Yeah a vey strange and scary case for sure. All best there Lee.
Tks for your immediate answer, best here to you Ioan.
Very impressive Ioan. There is a underworld, its not new but what kind of measures to contrast the Drak Web ? Our italian judge in first line to fight strong Calabria born mafia, Niccolò Gratteri talked about that italian mafiosi use hith tech, use darl web to expand their business.
Thanks and great to hear your voice hear Marco. The comparisons with Italy are always useful as it has such a wealth of history fighting organized crime we can learn from. I think as the judge pointed out the dark web is a huge issue that will change how organized crime works. I am not totally sure of the best measures right now but I will def get on some more stories on tech and organized crime. Best there friend.