Montanans Trapped in Mexico, Former DEA Head Weighs In

Shelter in place. Do not make yourself an easy target. That's the word from Stacy Zinn, the former head of the DEA here in Montana.

Puerto Vallarta. Sounds like a nice place to spend a few days this time of year, right?

KPAX-TV had a story about how several Montanans are now stranded in Mexico following the takedown of drug cartel leader El Mencho. The cartels foot soldiers are now retaliating with attacks across large portions of Mexico- especially Peurto Vallarta.

I'm off to Washington, DC right now for coverage of the State of the Union...but wanted to get this quick word out. Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) is encouraging any folks from Montana to contact his office if they are in need of assistance.

We chatted briefly with State Rep. Stacy Zinn (R-Billings) this AM.  Basically, you've got people that are sheltering in place either at their hotels or at something like an Airbnb. The cartel has essentially declared war in the streets. They're lighting police vehicles on fire. Busses are on fire. They're targeting civilian sites. There was an airport that looked like it was under siege as well.

Stacy Zinn: "I was up in Fort Benton yesterday, getting phone calls . People from Montana are down in Mexico, and they're saying, what do we do shelter in place? Download the State Department app, listen to them. They will guide these people that are vacationing down there. But do not go out on the streets during this activity, because you are American, and if you're noticed as American, it could- there could be some danger. So this is a serious topic. People need to shelter in place."

She talked more about the specific drug cartel involved in this situation. Listen to the full chat below.