SAN DIEGO — Cartels operating in Tijuana have shifted their focus recently, aiming to take control of new operations.
In recent years, cartels in Mexico have fought over the drug trade, the avocado industry and fishing rights, and now they are struggling for control of strip clubs, brothels and bars in Tijuana’s Zona Norte, also known as the “tolerance zone,” according to sources within the Baja California State Attorney General’s Office.
Punto Norte, a news publication in Baja California, is reporting that the owner of the Hong Kong Gentleman’s Club and hotel, a man with the last name of Brizuela, was the target of an assassination attempt Tuesday night.
Brizuela is also said to be the affiliated with other businesses involved with prostitution.
The confrontation was confirmed by Tijuana Police, who said gunmen showed up at Brizuela’s house, located in a posh Tijuana neighborhood, and got into a shootout with his bodyguards.
Punto Norte’s investigation goes on to say one of Brizuela’s business partners was assaulted and robbed late last month.
His family reportedly told police that members of Mexico’s National Guard forced their way into the house and went on to steal thousands of dollars in cash, cell phones and other valuables from a safe.
Baja California Attorney General’s Office confirmed the family filed a report about the break in, but the office refused to release any more information.
A source within that same office told Border Report that in recent months “gangs affiliated with cartels have been threatening and extorting club owners.”
The same source said it appears different crime organizations are trying to “establish control of this plaza.”
In the underworld, a plaza is a geographic location used to smuggle drugs or operate an illicit trade, and anyone wanting to run a business in this area must pay a fee to stay in operation.
This isn’t new, but the fact that it’s becoming more blatant doesn’t make it an ideal destination any more. If this continues tourism will shift away from the Zona and find another destination for tourists.
I would think that if they are going after his home, then his businesses are not off-limits, either, I might recommend the TJ mongers avoid HK for now.
I suspect that cartel thugs might not be the sharpest knives in the drawer, but I would think they know they need La Zona Norte to remain safe enough for the tourists to come and keep the businesses afloat. Right now I'll bet it safer than the "posh Tijuana neighborhood" where the current HK owner lives and was the target of an assassination attempt.
This is one of the dangers of a single club (HK) and a single owner growing too big. I think things are better for everyone if there is healthy competition with a handful of other vibrant clubs. That's why I plan to focus on CC for my next visit (assuming that is completely unaffiliated with HK).
Never been to Tijuana, though I know it's popular with some guys. I always wondered if it was because it was actually really good (affordable with lots of 8s and 9s), or just some people are not aware of what other options are possible in other countries.
I use to go to a club that was owned by some national company, but had been previously run by the Mafia through a front man. The dancers who had been there for a while said that management had been much more fair and supportive under the Mafia.
The narcos in Mexico are like the US Mafia. They have many chances to indulge their sadism in the course of their business. They have no reason to be gratuitously violent, when it doesn't serve a money-making purpose. I can't see how it would serve their interests to harm visitors to the red light district. Especially if they want to take control of it. Maybe it would actually be better for the BGs. When the only lotteries in the US were illegal ones, the Mafia generally gave back more of the revenue in prizes than state-run lotteries do.
Comments
last comment~ Sigmund Freud
~ Sigmund Freud'
Freud would have his premier learning experience analyzing a self righteous demon filled homo like you cj! Lol
Yikes. I’ve got tickets booked and a reservation already at Cascadas for the end of this month.
I suppose I will TOFTT and report back on the safety implications of this news.
“ Fuck you. Give me Money”
The narcos in Mexico are like the US Mafia. They have many chances to indulge their sadism in the course of their business. They have no reason to be gratuitously violent, when it doesn't serve a money-making purpose. I can't see how it would serve their interests to harm visitors to the red light district. Especially if they want to take control of it. Maybe it would actually be better for the BGs. When the only lotteries in the US were illegal ones, the Mafia generally gave back more of the revenue in prizes than state-run lotteries do.