#369: Mom Hunted Down 10 Cartel Members For Killing Daughter - Real Life “Taken”

The Zeta cartel, once an elite unit within the Gulf Cartel, has evolved into one of Mexico's most fearsome and brutal criminal organizations.

The Zetas were an elite military unit that later formed a powerful cartel

Initially an integral part of the Gulf cartel as their enforcement arm, the Zetas were composed of former members of the Mexican army's elite Air Mobile Special Forces Group. Trained by the United States for counter-narcotics operations, they ironically used their knowledge to protect and further the illicit activities of the cartel they served.

The Zetas were originally part of the Gulf cartel but split off to form their own group

Realizing that they had the potential to run their own operations, the Zetas deserted the Gulf Cartel, formed a faction of their own, and seized control of their former employer's territories. This group, initially 30 strong, displayed such violent and effective tactics that it led to a brutal war with their former Gulf allies.

The Zetas were known for their extreme violence and brutality, using tactics like decapitation and acid dissolution

The Zetas rapidly gained a reputation for unspeakable violence and terror. Their brutal tactics included beheadings, dismemberments, and dissolving victims in acid—casually referred to as "cooking." Their unique brand of cruelty extended to hanging victims from bridges as a gruesome display of power and disposing of bodies in "kitchens," where people were turned to ash in ovens purpose-built for this vile task. The boss of the Zetas would engage in particularly egregious acts, like having kidnap victims decapitated or forced to fight to the death, gladiator-style.

The Zetas gained control of lucrative drug trafficking routes and engaged in widespread criminal activities

After establishing themselves, the Zetas began forcefully taking over the Gulf Cartel's businesses and signaling their presence as a dominant, terrifying force.

The Zetas were involved in human trafficking, sex trafficking, and other illicit ventures

The Zetas expanded their criminal portfolio to include human trafficking, sex trafficking, and other illegal activities. They enforced a ruthless regime of extortion and fear upon local populations, demanding ransoms for kidnapping victi ...

Miriam's life dramatically changed when she learned of her daughter Karen's kidnapping by the Zetas cartel. The devastating news sparked a relentless search for justice that would consume her for more than two years.

Miriam's Daughter Karen Was Kidnapped and Killed by the Zetas

In a tragic turn of events, Miriam received a call from her eldest daughter, Azalea, informing her that Karen had been abducted. Miriam, working as a nanny in Texas at the time, hastily returned to San Fernando. Stephanie Soo recounts that Karen was kidnapped along with several of her friends. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of $77,000. Despite the family gathering less than $10,000 and attempting to negotiate, Karen was not returned even after a staged handoff. Later, the kidnappers without explanation broke into Miriam's house to take Karen's belongings and demanded more money. Miriam's hope faded when she learned that Karen was tortured; the captors kicked and punched her, demanding information she didn’t have. The gruesome reality was unraveled by Carlos, a friend who was captured alongside Karen. He recounted the harrowing details of her capture, mistreatment, and suspected murder at "the ranch."

Karen Was Tortured and Murdered Along with Several of Her Friends

Karen's light-colored blonde hair and rosy complexion made her stand out in her community, perhaps catching the cartel's attention, leading to her kidnapping. During the ordeal, Karen and her friends were tied up, and Karen in particular was subjected to extreme violence by a female kidnapper, seemingly out of jealousy for Karen's attractiveness. Carlos speculated that she and another friend, Barbara, may have been killed by hanging from a tree and their remains possibly dissolved in acid.

Miriam Was Devastated by Her Daughter's Death and Became Determined to Seek Justice

Miriam's despair upon the disappearance and presumed death of Karen became widely known as she embarked on her mission for justice. She became a feared figure among the Zetas members as she managed to arrest or kill many responsible for her daughter’s death, including significant members like El Flaco, El Mario, the girl from the meat shop, and El Kike.

Miriam Embarked on a Vigilante Campaign to Hunt Down and Take Revenge on Karen's Killers

Miriam conducted her campaign against the Zetas with a determination that seemed to absolve her of fear. She boldly tackled a participant in the crime to the ground and threatened him with a loaded pistol.

Miriam Methodically Tracked Down and Either Arrested or Killed the Zetas Members Responsible

Miriam tracked down Karen’s kidnappers and killers, compiling a list of those involved by their nicknames. She vigorously pursued Karen's killers, which included confronting a man known as 'the florist.'

The main woman who beat Karen for pleasure remained at large; however, Miriam was relentless in her pursu ...

The locals on the bus were not surprised to hear that Miriam's daughter had been kidnapped by the Zeta Cartel, highlighting a climate of fear and tension engendered by the cartels.

The Zetas and other cartels routinely targeted and killed civilians with no ties to organized crime

Cartels began to be violent with locals, targeting innocent civilians who were not involved in the cartel world. Carlos described the kidnappers as unpredictable, unhinged, unstable, and terrifying. The podcast notes acts of extreme violence such as public executions and mutilation against civilians. This made civilian populations live under cartel control in constant fear, unable to safely go out at night.

Cartels committed acts of extreme violence such as public executions and mutilation

The segment elaborated that there were brutal killings of business owners who refused the Zetas' demands. A particularly horrific account involved a hitman for the Zetas who dismembered a young girl with an axe while she was still alive and set her body on fire as a terrifying message. Moreover, the mass killing of 72 migrants by the Zetas stands out as a gruesome example of cartel violence against civilians.

Miriam's story highlights the devastating toll of cartel violence on ordinary Mexican families

Miriam, whose daughter Azalea felt threatened when her estranged father showed up disheveled, represents the tragic toll cartel violence can take on Mexican families. Luis, Miriam's son, felt that his entire generation was at the risk of being exterminated by the cartels. The youth were often forced to join cartels or otherwise disappeared, leaving the community in a state of perpetual dread.

Miriam's other children were also impacted, with her son eventually continuing her quest for justice

Miriam’s relentless search for justice following her daughter Karen's presumed death by the Zetas' hands, and Azalea's questioning about when this pursuit would end, illustrate the ongoing impact on the family. Miriam’s son, Luis, continued his mother's work, se ...

The battle against cartel influence in Mexico remains fierce. While the Zetas, once notorious for their brutality, have seen their power wane, other organizations, most notably the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), have risen to prominence, bringing with them new levels of violence and terror.

While the Zetas have declined in power, other cartels like the CJNG have become increasingly dominant

The decline of the Zetas cartel has not led to a diminishment of cartel-related violence in Mexico. Instead, other groups like the CJNG have filled the power vacuum. Founded in 2010, with estimated assets surpassing $20 billion, the CJNG is known for its particularly brutal tactics. They are responsible for heinous acts including decapitations and alleged cannibalism as forms of psychological warfare. Their paramilitary strategies include innovative use of technology, such as drones equipped with explosives, to launch attacks.

Despite their own savagery, even other cartels have condemned the Zetas for their lack of a "gentleman's code of conduct" in drug trafficking, illustrating the extreme nature of their actions.

The CJNG is known for its own extreme violence, including the use of drones and cannibalism

Cartel cruelty is not limited to the battlefields of warring factions but spills onto innocent lives, with many falling victim to the capricious and ruthless acts of the cartels. The extreme nature of this violence, as demonstrated by the CJNG's tactics, continues to be a dire challenge for the Mexican state and its citizens.

Cartel violence and organized crime remain a major challenge for the Mexican state

Stories like that of Karen and her friends, victims of the Zetas, underscore the pervasive threat of cartel violence in Mexico. Such brutality not only reveals the cartels' disregard for human life but also the tremendous challenge they pose to societal order and the rule of law.

Miriam's story represents the fight of ordinary civilians against the cartels' stranglehold on the country

In the face of this terror, civilians like Miriam stand as beacons of resistance. Miriam's personal loss propelled her into action against the Zetas. A tip from Miriam ultimately resulted in the death of her daughter's raven-haired kidnapp ...