Zeta Equipment and Training, July 2010 Cartel Tactics Analysis For Ranger Reconnaissance Team/DPS SWAT Border Security Operations Center Law Enforcement

Zeta Equipment and Training, July 2010Cartel Tactics Analysis For Ranger Reconnaissance Team/DPS SWAT


Border Border Security Security

Operations Operations CenterCenter

Law Enforcement Sensitive

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.






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







Storage compartment for spare tires (burned exposing steel belts/ wheel) and air compressor

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

Vehicle origin appears to be a dated Mack dump truck platform with J&J DynaHauler HDX series steel dump body.

Varying use of welded plate steel, from ½” to 2” depending on enhancement location

Armored fuel tanks

Hinged armor plates for wheel protection






Hatch providing entry/exit point for personnel compartment and ladder access

No apparent signs of battle damage. Vehicle was set on fire either by opposing cartel elements or when abandoned, possibly due to mechanical failure.

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”






Use of apparent ½” steel plating on cab doors with internal reinforcement.

Steel plating welded under hood to protect engine.

Window panel on driver side only, apparent gun port for frontal fire out of cab on passenger side






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.

Possible AT-6100W GSM 3G Mobile Phone Signals Booster Repeater UMTS 2100--250m2

Vehicle Communication Modifications






Small Unit CommandsGeneral 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 operatorB) To raise the skill level of operator shootingC) To increase abilities in an urban environmentD) 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) WeaponsB) Basic shooting principlesC) Precision shootingD) Reactive shootingE) Shooting practiceF) Close combatG) Urban combatH) Urban area clearance

Principles:Surprise: Battle tactics that catch your enemy off guardQuickness: Combining speed with accuracyCombat: Act cautiously and safely when taking action

16th Exercise – Room Clearing FormationEach shooter will take 4 shots at their respective silhouette

6th Exercise – Controlled ShootingThis 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.

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

Copies of complete Zeta training manual on file at TFC and BSOC






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.

Documents

Zeta Equipment and Training, July 2010 Cartel Tactics Analysis For Ranger Reconnaissance Team/DPS SWAT Border Security Operations Center Law Enforcement