Mexican Judge Orders Zetas Cartel Leader to Trial, Z40 is Formally Arrested and Charged

A Mexican judge confirmed on Friday that Miguel Angel Treviño Morales, the leader of Los Zetas drug cartel, will be tried for money laundering and weapon possession, U-T San Diego reported.

The Fourth District Court, based in the city of Toluca, in Mexico, formally charged "Z40" on charges or operations with illegal proceeds, including possession of weapons and cartridges exclusive to Mexican armed forces, according to the Borderland Beat.

The judge handed down the ruling at 1:30 on Thursday, a spokesperson of the Council of Federal Judiciary stated.

Borderline Beat reported that although the charges against Treviño are "serious," charges of murder for the killing of 265 economic migrants in San Fernando Tamaulipas are missing. A totoal of 193 bodies were discovered in mass "narcofosas," or clandestine graves, and 72 migrants were massacred at an abandoned ranch in San Fernando. Treviño most likely won't be charged with the murders, since Martín Omar Estrada Luna, who goes by the nickname "El Kilo," pled guilty to being one of the authors of the slaughter.

However, U-T San Diego reported that an official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to discuss the case, said that the judge can add other charges as the trial develops. The publication added that Treviño Morales would be charged with homicide, torture, organized crime, money laundering, weapons possession and drug trafficking, according to Federal security spokesman Eduardo Sánchez.

The 40-year-old is currently at a maximum security prison of El Altiplano NO.1 in the municipality of Almoloya de Juárez, Mexico.

Treviño was captured on July 15 in a raid in which not a single shot was fired, the Mexican government announced. The operation took place near the town of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. It was reportedly the biggest operation against organized crime so far under the administration of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto.

According to the New York Times, American authorities were involved in the arrest of the Z40, which was "led by Mexican marines but supported with the intelligence from the United States." The Mexican government has not publicly recognized the U.S. help in the operation.

Treviño is believed to be the most dangerous drug lord in Mexico, after he gained control of Los Zetas cartel when former leader Heriberto Lazcano was killed by the navy on October 7, 2012.