(2/2) Control of the Culiacán Zoo
As a relevant background fact, the sources indicate that Ernesto Zazueta maintained control of the Culiacán Zoo for years, a situation that changed with the arrival of Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, when that administration was taken away from him.
This development is considered key within the analysis, as it would have impacted other lines of economic operation linked to the management of wildlife and resources.
Properties, luxury estate, and alleged use of front men
Another central line of investigation focuses on the alleged use of front men to launder money through real estate.
Reports point to the acquisition and control of high-value properties in northern Culiacán, as well as in Bellavista and La Campana, in addition to:
The luxury estate known as “Rancho Nuevo,” located in the Del Valle area, identified as part of the assets under analysis.
Residences in exclusive gated communities such as La Primavera, where Ernesto Zazueta is allegedly based, and Colinas de San Miguel, associated with Miguel Zazueta.
These properties would be used to store capital, justify wealth, and keep assets outside the traditional financial system.
Ongoing investigation
As of the close of this edition, no public judicial charges have been announced against the individuals mentioned. However, the sources consulted assure that the information forms part of ongoing investigations focused on money laundering, shell companies, the use of front men, wildlife trafficking, and personal ties to criminal structures.
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@DEAHQ@claudiashein@oHarfuch@ioangrillo@HuasoBB@All_Source_News@illicitinv@SEMAR_mx@SEDENAmx@GN_MEXICO @aic_07 @CarlosLoret@latinus_us@Milenio@FBI@ICEespanol@rochamoya_@InSightCrime@InSightCrime_es@LuisKuryaki@sl0wpain001@Radio_Formula@El_Universal_Mx@FGRMexico@HEARST_BB@crux1469@LaSagaOficial
(1/2) Investigative sources point to a money laundering network linked to Vicente Zambada in Culiacán
Culiacán, Sinaloa.
Investigative sources consulted by this outlet reveal the existence of a suspected money laundering and asset concealment network linked to Vicente Zambada, which would be operating in Culiacán through commercial companies, cash handling, real estate assets, and parallel activities, with the participation of a local business family.
According to the information obtained, the structure would be headed by Ernesto Zazueta and operated at different levels by his sons, Amado Zazueta and Miguel Zazueta, through businesses such as the store DROP SHOP and the jewelry store ZYQ, both currently under analysis by authorities and financial intelligence sources.
Family structure and operation of companies under scrutiny
According to the reports, Ernesto Zazueta is the father of Amado and Miguel Zazueta and would have been the one who established the network of personal, business, and asset-related relationships that is now under scrutiny.
The sources indicate that:
Amado Zazueta serves as the administrator of the store DROP SHOP, a business identified as a possible vehicle for the entry and distribution of resources of allegedly illicit origin, through commercial operations that are difficult to trace.
Miguel Zazueta would be in charge of the jewelry store ZYQ, a business sector considered high-risk for money laundering due to the handling of high-value items, cash payments, and the ease of justifying large revenues.
Both establishments would form part of a capital laundering strategy, combining sales, inventory movements, and transfers to give the appearance of legality to resources allegedly linked to the circle of Vicente Zambada.
Alleged money laundering and relationship with Vicente Zambada
Investigative sources maintain that the Zazueta family has a close, long-standing relationship with Vicente Zambada, which would have enabled their integration as financial operators and front men within his circle of trust.
As part of this alleged money laundering network, the following have been identified:
Frequent trips to Miami and other locations where Zambada is known to travel, coinciding with significant financial movements.
Current residence between Mexico City, the United States, and Culiacán, with these movements allegedly used to coordinate operations and safeguard assets.
The use of formal companies and real estate assets to conceal the true origin of the funds.
Aliases and parallel activities: wildlife as a line of investigation
The same sources identify Ernesto Zazueta with the alias “El Gordo Animal,” a nickname associated with his alleged involvement in activities related to the trafficking of exotic animals.
Within this line of inquiry, his link to El Zafarí stands out, described as a private zoo where various species were kept outside the framework of traditional public exhibition. According to the reports, this space would have been used for the shelter, handling, and possible irregular transfer of wildlife—an activity also being analyzed for its potential use as an alternative money laundering mechanism, given the difficulty in valuing and auditing this type of asset.
Si amas a los animales y te importa el bienestar animal 🐶🐱 no puedes perderte este video.
Aquí, con pruebas reales y de vida, está todo lo que se ha logrado en la Brigada de Vigilancia Animal y cómo hoy la administración actual sigue dándole fuerza a esta causa.
Gracias @PabloVazC@monikballe por seguir dando voz a quienes no la tienen... !
📣@mariana_boy@SEMARNAT_mx
Solo queda el 52% del arrecife de Cozumel y quieren clavar un cuarto muelle.
¡Ya hay tres!
José Enrique Molina, México está viendo.
No más destrucción por ambición.
Vamos a defender Cozumel con uñas y dientes.
FALSO !@estrellablanca
#estrellablanca#autobusesfutura MIENTEN !
Los hago responsables de la desaparición de YOLI . Es respecto al mensaje que subí ayer . Agradecería su amable #RT