Julian Zapata Espinoza, known as “El Piolin” or “Tweety Bird,” is in federal custody in Washington after being extradited for allegedly gunning down U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent Jaime Zapata in February of 2011. Zapata Espinoza is a Mexican drug cartel member. This was information that the U.S. Justice Department was hiding from the public. Lanny Breuer’s, an assistant U.S. attorney general, office has played a key role in the Fast and Furious gun running episode. It is also believed that agent Zapata may been murdered with one of these guns.
This arrest, extradition, and indictment begs the question that perhaps Washington is cutting a deal with Zapata Espinoza to cover up the possibility he used one of theses guns to kill agent Zapata.