Racehorses belonging to Mexico drug cartel Los Zetas sold at auction in US
The Zetas drug cartel laundered millions of dollars through the buying, training and racing of horses in the United States.
The last of the more than 400 racehorses seized during a raid on an Oklahoma ranch owned by the brother of suspected Mexican drug lords were auctioned at the weekend.
Five horses, including a quarter breed horse called Tender Dash, were sold for $3.1 million at a public auction.
The racehorses belonged to Jose Trevino Morales, who is serving a 20-year sentence for money laundering.
Morales was found guilty of investing $16 million of drug money in the buying, training and racing of horses on behalf of his brothers Miguel Angel and Oscar Omar Trevino Morales, alleged leaders of the hyper-violent Zetas drug cartel.
Miguel Angel was arrested in Mexico earlier this year.
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents seized the horses during a raid on Morales’ sprawling property in June 2012.
US authorities raised around $12 million from the sale of the racehorses. The proceeds are being held in a special account until a decision is made on what to do with the money.