Very Fine Line With Mexican Drug Cartels: Crossing It Can Be Deadly

By Mike Thomas on May 16, 2011, 7:21 am

The Mexican government has warned the United States against any actions that could infringe on its sovereignty. A war between the cartels and the Mexican government that started in December 2006 has claimed about 35,000 lives. A “terrorist” designation for drug cartels also would make it easier for the Justice Department to extradite gang members to the United States. Williams said the Mexican government does not seem to be making much progress in its drug war.

Terrorist Organization

The “terrorist organization” designation gives U.S. police broad authority to crack down on suspected terrorists, such as by seizing their bank accounts or imposing harsher prison sentences for gun possession. The issue arose during a House Homeland Security subcommittee hearing on border security. Grayling Williams, director of Homeland Security’s counternarcotics enforcement, said there already are enough laws to combat drug trafficking in the United States. He also cautioned against using laws and tactics that might be too severe.

Mexico’s Position

This week, Mexican President Felipe Calderon repeated his position that the U.S. market for drugs is feeding the violence in his country. Calderon spoke while attending the Americas Conference in Washington, D.C. He said an attitude among some Americans that marijuana is “cool” or “fashionable” is making it harder to stop drug trafficking. He also criticized states that have legalized the purchase of small amounts of marijuana, normally for medicinal use. Fifteen states have legalized the personal use of marijuana for medical reasons.

 

Border Is Not Secure

“The bottom line is that it’s not secure,” said Col. Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety. “There’s been a proliferation of organized crime in Texas.” McCraw said the increased number of seizures and arrests, as touted by the administration, “only prove that the border is not secure.” The hearing came a day after President Obama declared his administration has gone “above and beyond” Republican requests to secure the border. His remarks came during a political speech in El Paso in which he urged passage of comprehensive immigration reform.