Fifteen members of the brutal Los Zetas drug cartel

Fifteen members of the brutal Los Zetas drug cartel — co-leader Miguel Angel Trevino Morales — have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Austin on money laundering conspiracy charges. The 25-page indictment was handed up May 30 and unsealed this afternoon. It accuses the men of funneling the proceeds from drug sales into the United States, where it was used to invest in quarter horses. “The money laundering network of this conspiracy reached from the United States/Mexico border to numerous locations in and near Austin, Texas and elsewhere,” the indictment said. It is unclear how many of the 15 members have been arrested. An initial appearance for one — Eusevio Maldonado Huitron — was scheduled for 2 p.m. in U.S. District Court in Austin. U.S. Alleges The indictment said that Miguel Trevino, also known as “40,” has coordinated the Los Zetas operations in Mexico, including coordinating cocaine and marijuana shipments from South America into the United States. “He was actively involved in the management of the quarter horse activities, including directing funds to pay for the purchase, breeding, training and racing of the quarter horses,” the indictment said. Also indicted were Trevino’s brothers, Oscar Omar Trevino Morales, also known as 42, and Jose Trevino Morales, who the indictment said were involved in quarter horse activities for Los Zetas. Oscar Trevino worked for the gang in Mexico, while Jose Trevino coordinated the activities in the United States, the indictment said. Along with his wife, Zulema Trevino, Jose Trevino operated the gang’s quarter horse activities through various “front companies” operating in Lexington, Okla., the indictment said. The indictment said that through a variety of business entities the members bought and sold horses and paid each other to give the impression that money deposited in their bank accounts had been legitimately earned.