Limited Analysis of the Los Zeta Improvised Armored Vehicle, July 2010

1. Limited Analysis of the Los Zeta Improvised Armored Vehicle, July 2010 This document should be safeguarded and protected as Law Enforcement Sensitive. Do not disseminate without express permission of the Texas Rangers.  If you have received this document in error, do not copy, disseminate, distribute, or use it if you are not an intended recipient.  Additionally, please contact the originator by appropriate means or call the TBSOC (512-424-7561) and DESTROY all copies held.

2. Purpose: • Inform SWAT/RRT on identified cartel tactics & practices • Setting the Stage: • Limited information/photos available for improvised armored vehicle known as “El Monstruo” (the Monster). • Constructed by Los Zetas • Found abandoned and burned in Tamaulipas, MX in early July • Final pages include intercepted Zeta training manual Law Enforcement Sensitive

3. Gratings and angled roofing to prevent grenades, lobbed devices, or downward small arms fire from entering personnel compartment. Hinges allow unrestricted weapons fire out of compartment Storage compartment for spare tires (burned exposing steel belts/ wheel) and air compressor Vehicle origin appears to be a dated Mack dump truck platform with J&J DynaHauler HDX series steel dump body. Armored fuel tanks Hinged armor plates for wheel protection Varying use of welded plate steel, from ½” to 2” depending on enhancement location

4. Hatch providing entry/exit point for personnel compartment and ladder access Narco-messages later left by Gulf cartel taunts the Zetas with “This is the property of Z40 to do harm to the people. Send more, a—hole” and taunts of “Send more, Z40” No apparent signs of battle damage. Vehicle was set on fire either by opposing cartel elements or when abandoned, possibly due to mechanical failure.

5. Window panel on driver side only, apparent gun port for frontal fire out of cab on passenger side Use of apparent ½” steel plating on cab doors with internal reinforcement. Steel plating welded under hood to protect engine.

6. Vehicle Communication Modifications Possible AT-6100W GSM 3G Mobile Phone Signals Booster Repeater UMTS 2100--250m2 External modules (one per cell service/carrier) attached to vehicle mirror supports on both sides identified as cell phone boosters, allowing the extension of cell phone range by many miles, indicating primary communication by cellular phone.

7. These excerpts provided by the Texas Fusion Center are from a “Small Unit” training manual found on dead Zetas in Oct/Nov 2009. The manual details pages of a training regime for Los Zetas members 16th Exercise – Room ClearingFormation Each shooter will take 4 shots at their respective silhouette Small Unit Commands General objective - To strengthen into an effective interactive unit in an urban environment, in order to achieve an organized group and build individual skills, based on intensive and specialized training Specific objectives: A) To coordinate weapons used by each operator B) To raise the skill level of operator shooting C) To increase abilities in an urban environment D) To develop tactical skills to defeat opponents during close combat Program content: Coordination: To align aim of weapon with line of vision of shooter to bring about the desired goal. A) Weapons B) Basic shooting principles C) Precision shooting D) Reactive shooting E) Shooting practice F) Close combat G) Urban combat H) Urban area clearance Principles: Surprise: Battle tactics that catch your enemy off guard Quickness: Combining speed with accuracy Combat: Act cautiously and safely when taking action 6th Exercise – Controlled Shooting This exercise uses 2 magazines, 1 with 13 rounds and the other with 12 rounds shooting at metal targets for speed and accuracy. The magazines are changed with a round still in the chamber. Copies of complete Zeta training manual on file at TFC and BSOC

8. Take-aways • Given the size, armor, lack of agility or speed, combined with comms capabilities, most likely use would be as a command/observation vehicle – rather than a tactical or fighting vehicle. • Use of extremely obvious vehicle on paved roadways indicates lack of fear of Mexican police or military forces. • Armored engine compartment likely prone to over-heating, but overall armoring well thought out and effective. • Cell phone boosters indicate a technical sophistication and emphasis on reliable cell phone communication for operations. • Combination of military style Close Quarters Battle and marksmanship training (per manual) with adaptation of armored vehicle indicates a prepared, lethal, and purpose driven force.