LEXINGTON, Okla. — Last year, Jose and Zulema Trevino purchased a farm across from a Catholic cemetery with pines shading tombstones dating to 1848. They filled their green pastures with quarter horses — more than 450 of the muscular animals famed for fast sprints.

Now the FBI watches over the well-chewed pastures on 84th Street, just outside this small city’s boundaries. Grooms fuss over the horses that will be paraded through an arena in a highly anticipated auction in Oklahoma City in early November.

The Trevinos, who lived near Dallas for a decade, are accused of being central figures in a money laundering scheme through quarter horse racing for the Zetas Mexican drug cartel led by Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, Jose’s younger brother.

In recent court filings, the U.S. government is asking for forfeiture of $60 million allegedly traceable to money laundering. Auction proceeds will be held until the case is resolved.

The alleged death of a top Zeta boss and the arrests of others in Mexico last week elevated the prominence of this money-laundering case and underscored cartel influence in Texas and Oklahoma. The Heritage Place auction in a heated indoor arena with theater seating is a stark contrast to the terror for many average Mexicans in northern Mexico where Zeta shootouts, kidnappings and extortion rackets are a way of life.

Given the history, who will buy these mares and stallions tainted by the drug trade?

Plenty of horse lovers deny interest, said Jim Helzer, a former president of the American Quarter Horse Association and a North Texas and Oklahoma ranch owner.

“Everyone I talk to says that they aren’t interested in buying any of those drug-cartel horses, but I guarantee you that they will be at the sale,” Helzer said. “Everyone wants a good bargain.”

Helzer calls horses his “life and soul.” He plans to be at the auction. He knew Jose Trevino, a 45-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen who spoke English well and went by the nickname of Pepe.

“You would think he was the nicest guy whoever walked. He and his family put up a tremendously good front.”

In Lexington, a town of about 2,200 about 40 miles south of Oklahoma City, city clerk Kim McClarney agreed.

“Jose was just a gentleman,” she said. Trevino would occasionally stop by City Hall to check out rumors the city might annex his rural property, which he opposed.

“He played the part of the cowboy, very respectful,” McClarney said. “I was shocked to hear the brother was evil, and is into beheadings.”

A third brother, Oscar Omar, was also indicted in the case to be heard in federal court early next year in Austin, Texas. But it’s brother Miguel Angel Trevino Morales who commands a $5 million reward from the U.S. government for his capture and holds a reputation for ordering enemies dismembered.