The government of Peru, along with 17 families in Peru and Colombia, descendants of the original owners of the cargo, had hoped to claim a share.

FORBES: Chasing Gold Coins to Spain

The Zetas, who are estimated to have more than ten thousand fighters, control virtually the entire east coast of Mexico, and have laid claim to several of the busiest cargo crossing points on the U.S. border, including Matamoros, Reynosa, and Nuevo Laredo.

NEWYORKER: The Kingpins