Mexico drug cartel teaching members values, moral principles

MEXICO CITY - A drug cartel in Mexico is telling their members to avoid heavy drinking and using narcotics and live a clean family life as it tries to build a well-run criminal organization, according to police.

Rafael Cedeno, a leader of "The Family" cartel based in the western state of Michoacan, told police after he was arrested he had trained several thousand cartel members with courses in ethics and personal improvement.

"The indoctrination of this group consisted of courses they considered to be for personal improvement, values, ethical and moral principles. The objective was for the subordinates to avoid drugs, hard drinking and maintain family unity," say federal police.

Cedeno, 47, was arrested at a family baptism on Saturday with 43 others after a raid by police in helicopters. Cedeno is accused of ordering the murder of rivals and running prostitution rings of young girls.

About 6, 300 people were killed in the bitter war between Mexico drug cartels last year. The conflict has spilled over the border into the United States.

The training courses show the level of organization of Mexico's cartels, well-armed groups which often control territory and take on federal police and the army.

The point of training was "to have better motivational and emotional control over the members," Cedeno said. "The Family" has previously portrayed itself as a local organization protecting Michoacan residents from outside drug smugglers, many of whom frequently indulge in drugs or drink.

The group, a splitter group from the Gulf Cartel, now fights its former allies for control of territory in Michoacan, often leaving gruesome messages next to decapitated heads. REUTERS

Mexico's drug wars
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