Mexico drug cartel racehorse auction raises over $3M

The last of the more than 400 racehorses seized during a raid on an Oklahoma ranch owned by the brother of suspected Mexican drug lords were auctioned at the weekend.

Five horses, including a quarter breed horse called Tender Dash, were sold for $3.1 million at a public auction.

The racehorses belonged to Jose Trevino Morales, who is serving a 20-year sentence for money laundering.

Morales was found guilty of investing $16 million of drug money in the buying, training and racing of horses on behalf of his brothers Miguel Angel and Oscar Omar Trevino Morales, alleged leaders of the hyper-violent Zetas drug cartel. 

Miguel Angel was arrested in Mexico earlier this year.

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents seized the horses during a raid on Morales’ sprawling property in June 2012. 

US authorities raised more than $12 million from the sale of the racehorses. The proceeds are being held in a special account until a decision is made on what to do with the money.