American Federale

(This article originally appeared in the Jan 8th, 2013 edition of the Century City News)
By Melody Johnson

The typical L.A. Story. Michael Carlin is sitting with a friend at a sushi bar and in walks Oliver Stone. It sounds like the set up to a joke but it is in reality a true story. Stone told Carlin to follow the story. And that advice brought us American Federale.

Twelve years ago this story began on a street corner in El Paso, Texas. A Suburban arrives and equipment is stowed in the back. A blindfold is placed over Carlin’s eyes and the adventure is afoot. The interview proved worth the risk as former Federale, Lobo, told his story that included torture, extortion, bribes, and over 22 gun battles during his time in the Chihuahua State Police as well as the Mexican Federal Police.

Lobo gives us insights into his many exploits and shows us a glimpse into the culture of corruption that exists in Mexico today. He tells us about working to protect Drug Lords and take them down when they fall out of favor. He was complicit only because going against the grain would have cost him his life. What began as a youth’s quest for excitement and a life of rubbing elbows with the rich and powerful transitioned into Lobo being tortured to within a breath of losing his life. How he escaped death is still unexplained and qualifies as a miracle. His life was often spared during his ten years by mere chance. He tells us that all of his friends from that era are now dead and they all died very violent deaths. Many of them with their entire families… “Capone Style.”

Carlin also takes us into Border Mexico as he risks his life to capture images that bring this story to life. His many trips into Juarez and Ojinaga bring us behind the scenes where we see Military, Federal Police, State Police and Municipal Police that are known to be on both sides of the law. The blurry lines we see in this documentary teach us that Anarchy truly isn’t the answer. We learn from the film that the blurring of lines that is happening in America today may lead us to bad places and we have the ability to make choices today to lead us to more defined lines and a more orderly and peaceful society.

What I learned from my interview with Carlin is that corruption touched his family during America’s own lawless period in the 20’s when his great grandfather worked for Al Capone. “My grandfather used to pick me up and put me on the counter when he would make me pancakes and tell me stories about his childhood. When he was young his father received a telephone call and went off to work for Capone and was never heard from again.” Carlin’s grandfather drowned his sorrows in alcohol and that dysfunction touched every generation of his family down to and including him.

The ramification of the violence in Mexico has led to a hundred thousand widows and orphans and the impact will never be fully comprehended. Fixing corruption may take many generations at a cost of billions of dollars. Is the quick money from the drug trade really worth the immediate gratification? The audience can draw their own conclusions.

This film is not for the weak willed or squeamish. It is a hard-edged film that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Anyone wondering about Border Mexico, Immigration, Drug Policy, or lawlessness must add this film to his or her watch list. The film is set to be released in early 2013 and will be entered into the Cannes Film Festival.

The film is available on Amazon, iTunes, and GooglePlay.

The Cartel Continues

by Michael Douglas Carlin

The movie "American Federale" is about the only American ever to serve as a Mexican Federale. He tells us about corruption that exists across the border. If we learn one thing from him it is that the corruption is systemic. It is embedded in the culture of border Mexico. Apprehending the cartel boss may be a victory for law abiding citizens but the cartel will continue.

Forbes magazine listed the net worth of El Chapo Guzman at one billion. That seems a little light in that Acosta expanded the Cartel to new heights. In 2003 the estimated annual drug trade was 321 billion dollars. On February 22nd El Chapo Guzman was arrested; his cartel stretched across 50 countries. His drugs are responsible for 40% of all illegal drugs distributed around the world. His operation was able to outspend the government on training and equipment and for 13 years he lived in a network of safe houses many of which were designed with escape tunnels to flee from threats.

To put this in persepctive in April 1987, when druglord Pablo Acosta was killed he had a net worth of 25 billion dollars. That wealth allowed him to buy politicians, police, and military to protect his vast network of criminal enterprise. The film "American Federale" is available on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play and it illustrates the scope of this corruption. Lobo worked for the Federal Government in Mexico and he spent half of his time collecting cash that was filtered up to the high officials with each person in the chain taking his or her pinch before sending it up the ladder. When orders came down to take down Pablo Acosta it was for good reason.

When Lobo was tracking Pablo Acosta they would receive information and by the time they passed it up the chain Acosta had been tipped off and was a few steps ahead. In order to execute him they needed to maintain a circle of secrecy. One day a tip came in and they coordinated with the FBI to make a daring dawn raid on his compound. They circumvented normal channels and kept the information close to the vest.

Guzman's aprehension was done in a similar fashion. Doubtful that many of the rank and file Mexican Marines even knew the identity of their target. The Army wasn't informed and neither were local officials for fear they would leak information to Guzman and he would simply slip away. Guzman was known for coming into a restaurant and collecting all cellular telephones. He would dine and pick up the tabs of every patron of the restaurant. I would bet that the Mexican Marines cell phones were all collected prior to the raid. The sincerest form of compliment is emulation. 

American Drug Enforcement Agents, U.S. Marshalls, and Mexican Federales joined forces to track Guzman. They observed the Mexican Marines make the bust without a gun battle. The cat and mouse game that happened with Pablo Acosta and continued with Guzman is now over. The difference that isn't being discussed is that Guzman is alive.

In "American Federale" Lobo tells us that the Mexican Government emphasized that Acosta was to be killed. Nobody wanted him talking about the innerworkings of the cartel. Guzman can provide Mexican and American authorities with insights into who, where, when, and how the cartel operates. 

We have all grown tired of the body count along the border. There is a true desire to end the corruption and this may be the first step. But we all know that power does not give up easily and if we are going to see a new era in the war on drugs be prepared for a long fight.

"American Federale" teaches us that corruption is at every level of society in Mexico. Uprooting it may take a few generations. We all need to be prepared to replace the income ordinary people can earn by participating in the drug trade with real opportunities to put food on the table, a roof over their heads, and a quality of life. Stopping Government officials from looting and fleeing the country will go a long way to keeping avenues of opportunity open in Mexico.

Many are citing this as the end of the war on drugs. I see this as a new beginning... a hopeful beginning...

Michael Carlin has worked in film production, journalism, and publishing for over 30 years.

Carlin recently directed the documentary feature film, “American Federale.” This film tells the story of the only American ever to serve as a Mexican Federale – the man who killed drug lord Pablo Acosta. Follow Michael Douglas Carlin on Twitter @MichaelDCarlin

Michael Douglas Carlin is a filmmaker, author, and journalist. American Federale is available on iTunes, Amazon, and GooglePlay. Rise a Knight is available on Amazon. Peaceful Protests and A Prescription For Peace is available on iTunes.

© 2000 – 2014 Michael Douglas Carlin. All rights reserved.

They Call Me Lobo

By Michael Douglas Carlin

El Paso is unlike any other city in America. It isn’t really Texas, it isn’t really New Mexico, and it isn’t really Mexico. El Paso is an island floating between two countries. Growing up here has dynamics unlike any other place in the world. If you are connected you get to live a life of privilege, if not…

Joven is hanging out with his friends near the High School. One of them hands him a small gun. He pops the clip and clears the chamber like a pro. The bullet pops out and he catches it midair. He puts the gun into his pocket. “I have to get back to school. My dad is picking me up. We are even now… right?” “I always pay my debts.”

The school bell rings at Coronado High School and Joven walks out to his father waiting in the car. Joven gets in and his father hands him some legal papers. “What’s this?” “That’s what I am asking… What is this?” “Looks like you have to appear in court.” “Did you notice the reason why?” “I guess it is because I have been ditching school.” “I was blindsided by this… why have I not known about it?” “I have been purging the mail and erasing the messages.” “You are going with me to court!”

“All Rise… this court is now in session, the honorable Judge Martin Tapia is presiding.” Joven and his father await their case. When it is called they stand before the judge. The Judge addresses Joven’s father. “I have never seen you in this court before.” “And you won’t see me here again. This situation is handled.” “What do you intend to do?” “I assure you it is handled.” “I really hope that I don’t see you again.” “Thank you your Honor.”

They are riding in the car. “If you tell me this is never going to happen again I will show you the good life down in Mexico City.” “Of course papa this isn’t going to ever happen again.” “So we are heading for the airport in Juarez right now. Some friends are heading down there in a private jet. We can catch a ride.”

Security at the Juarez Airport is always tight. They get waived right into the private area and they park in the hanger where the Lear Jet is being loaded with assorted suitcases. There seems to be hundreds of them. The cargo hold is already loaded and now the suitcases are being loaded into the seats. Joven gets on the plane as he is instructed by his father. He finds a couple of empty seats and sits. There is a man loading the suitcases on the plane and Joven mistakes him as a laborer. When he sees the gun tucked neatly in his belt he realizes that this is no common laborer. When the man throws one of the suitcases onto the seat it bursts open spilling cash all over the aisle. “Oh my bad, I’ll clean this up.”

The man begins shoving the currency into the suitcase. He hands Joven five hundred-dollar-bills. When Joven looks down at them he notices the blood splattered on the money. “That is just a little taste so you will keep quiet about this. Do we have an understanding?” The man shows Joven his gun as if to say be quiet or you die. Joven gets the message. “Yo no vi nada.” “Exactamente! (beat) Carnal you wouldn’t be on this plane if you weren’t trusted. This is a ‘no shit’ zone and you must be connected so I ain’t really worried.”

“I am Joven.” “We have to come up with a better name for you than that. Everybody in Mexico gets a nickname. Don’t worry we’ll think of something. I am Juan. They call me La Tortuga. I am a Federale. I will be in Mexico City for about a week and I like to eat at El Califa de Leon. If you get a chance you can find me there.”

While Joven is in the plane talking to the “La Tortuga” his father is outside talking to Jorge. “He lies to me.” “What are you going to do?” “I figure God had a pretty good plan. I am just going to follow it.” “Now I am really intrigued. One day my son will be a teenager and I hope I can learn from you. What did God do?” “He showed Adam paradise and then when he sinned he kicked him out of Paradise. My son is going to see the good life and then I am going to have him walk through hell. Either he dies or he learns. Maybe you guys could make yourselves available just in case he gets into trouble?” “Consider it done. Time to get on the plane.”

The Lear Jet lands in Mexico City. Joven and his Father are now enjoying the good life. Jorge and La Tortuga are busy socializing. The Attorney General of Mexico is their host. The suitcases have been neatly stowed upstairs in one of the rooms. There is no need for a guard as nobody here would dare touch money that didn’t belong to them. The party looks to be the Who’s Who of Mexico. It looks like a typical garden party. What we don’t see are the layers of security around the home of the Attorney General. We don’t see the final layer of soldiers that ensure that no one who is unwanted is ever going to get through this buffer. Joven is enjoying himself. He is drinking and rubbing elbows with the rich and powerful in Mexico City. Joven’s Father gives his Federale friends the signal that it is time. He grabs Joven and escorts him through the layers of security to the outside of the compound. “You know you have done wrong. What was the worst part of not going to school?” “I know Papa. The worst of it was that I lied to you.” “That is a sin and because you have sinned I am driving you out of Paradise. You must make your own way back to El Paso. Here is 100 pesos. Choose carefully how you spend it.” “Papa, I accept my punishment. I will see you back in El Paso.” Joven turned and walked down the lonely street in Mexico City. Joven’s Father turned and walked back into the compound but he had tears streaming down his face. The punishment was worse for him than his son.

The Federales were close behind but when they walked out to follow Joven he had vanished. They were dumbfounded. Where had he gone? They too returned into the compound. When Joven’s Father saw them he choked back the tears. “Why aren’t you following him?” “He vanished. We looked everywhere for him.” “What have I done?” Joven’s Father was weeping now uncontrollably. Through the hysterics he said, “You go out and find him and follow him and keep him safe!”

Joven finds a café where he sits to regroup and figure out how to make his way to El Paso. There is a State Police Officer having coffee there a few booths down. A woman walks by the window and waves to the officer. He gives her the eye roll. “Lady I still don’t know anything more about your daughter.” By this time the woman is inside the restaurant. “I know she is alive. I can feel it. You have to help me.” “I told you a thousand times, the trail is cold. Your daughter has vanished without a trace.” “She needs me. I can feel it. You have to find her.” The woman has planted herself across from the cop. He gets up and leaves. She breaks down sobbing. After she sits there alone for a few minutes she gets up and walks by Joven. She looks down at him. “You must have known my daughter. You are about the same age as her.” “Naugh, I am not from here but please sit down. I want to hear about her. How did she disappear?”

Michael Douglas Carlin is a filmmaker, author, and journalist. American Federale is available on iTunes, Amazon, and GooglePlay. Rise a Knight is available on Amazon. Peaceful Protests and A Prescription For Peace is available on iTunes.

© 2000 – 2014 Michael Douglas Carlin. All rights reserved.

Three Tons of Coke

By Michael Douglas Carlin

Three vans heading north laden with cocaine driving straight for the Juarez border. It must be crazy to think they have any chance of getting through to the other side – especially since they are all traveling together. Success is unfathomable.

Corruption stops at the border. We all know about corruption on the Mexican side – America is the land of law and order – rules – laws – arrests – punishment – consequences – no gaps – no possibility of corruption. No breach of security.

The drug dealers have money – vast sums. They study the laws. They examine the rules – the procedures. They look for weaknesses. They keep records. They wait. While law enforcement creates charts and graphs inside of conference rooms, the drug dealers have their own charts, graphs, and surveillance.

They also have lists. They hang out at the racetracks and casinos and they watch. They thumb through the mail of customs agents looking for past due notices. They find out about gambling problems, divorce, or addiction. They even create a problem where it doesn’t exist. How was that border agent to know the woman he slept with was underage? How about the kid that needs an operation? A single leverage point and the slide down the slippery slope has begun.

A few agents working in tandem along with a few safety measures put in place to trigger adherence to rules and even three very well placed tons of cocaine will slide across the border without incident.

The customs agents know this as the 5^th dry run. They are happy because today they get their first payment for letting some cement slide through. They have been assured there is no risk and the next shipment will be the live “real deal”. What they could never know is the vans are not loaded today with cement - it is the real deal. The hundred-fifty grand will ease all of their burdens to make life a little easier.

At the border the additional security measure is being handled by a team of poor looking beggars armed with spray bottles and rags seeking to wash a windshield for a buck. The team of beggars descends on a car and begins washing the window. The family objects which creates commotion that distracts the family while their car is being dusted with cocaine and a small bag is placed in the cavity where gas is filled. The dogs will easily catch the scent of the cocaine residue. This family and a few other families will be grilled for hours, some will be charged with crimes, and some will serve prison sentences to eat up precious resources so that today’s cargo can get through.

Money is the grease for this machine. The hundred-fifty grand goes through first. Once it is safely in the hands of the American representing the five customs agents interests, a telephone call is placed and five beepers go off with a code and everybody knows their role and they begin to execute – they exploit the system that they all know so well.

Their job today is to keep the good, hardworking, honest, agents busy with so much work that the vans can get through.

The Federales escorted the vans from the airstrip through all of the checkpoints. It probably wasn’t necessary because the windshields had the Bengal Tiger insignia to warn all that these vans were untouchable.

As the vans approach the Zaragosa bridge a number of other vehicles fall in with them like clockwork. Horns are honked to signify the hand-off and the Federales turn off just before the point of no return. The lead car has a bundle of cash and once the car hits the customs checkpoint it is immediately waived through, the next car is held up with endless questions. The customs officer continues to ask away until his beeper goes off. He looks down then changes his tune and waives the car to Secondary for further inspection.

Secondary is where agents examine a car closely to see if there are hidden compartments where drugs are stowed. Agents tap on tires, check the gas tank and examine all of the areas where drugs are known to be hiding. Once three stations are filled the agents are all tied up.

As the next two cars come through they too are waived to Secondary for further scrutiny. All of the customs agents are either busy pounding on tires and gas tanks or shaking down innocent families. The entire border is busy with activity as the vans approach laden with drugs. Miraculously they get waived through.

So much cocaine has just passed seamlessly through the border and all it cost was a hundred-fifty thousand custom’s bribe and a few baggies of cocaine. Seems the corruption spilled over the U.S. Border. It might extend throughout the entire United States. There is simply too much money involved.

Michael Douglas Carlin is a filmmaker, author, and journalist. American Federale is available on iTunes, Amazon, and GooglePlay. Rise a Knight is available on Amazon. Peaceful Protests and A Prescription For Peace is available on iTunes.

© 2000 – 2014 Michael Douglas Carlin. All rights reserved.