CULIACAN, Mexico —A 20-year-old state beauty queen has been killed in northern Mexico during a running gun battle between soldiers and the gang of drug traffickers she was traveling with, officials say.
The body of Maria Susana Flores Gamez has been turned over to relatives for burial, the prosecutor of the drug-plagued state of Sinaloa says.
Actually the guys she was probably with were most likely not asset rich. If they were in a running gun battle they were probably working guys. The working guys don't tend to build asset. Their lifestyle does not permit much permenence. They work within an area, not a specific location and move around a lot. They have no way to protect a lot of cash so they buy stuff and put in in family member's names, houses, cars, boats, motorcycles. If they get 30K they want to spend it. It's sort of hand to mouth with a big hand and a big mouth. A very exciting life though, never know what will happen next. It's certainly easy to get seduced by all the cash flowing around not to mention drugs.
I used to know a guy who was a plaza manager. Had no business with him but saw him at family stuff. He controlled crossing on a piece of the border. His entire operation on the US side got rolled up a few years back. He was then ousted by his employer and I guess personal non grata to boot. You, personally, are apparently responsible for losses and the big guys don't take kindly to big losses. Last I heard he was selling his jewelry to keep alive and hiding out in a large city nearby.
