http://www.hstoday.us/single-article/senate-caucus-more-progress-needed-on-d rug-trafficking/af51d41ead03082cddb615eddd4971f4.html
Senate Caucus: More Progress Needed on Drug Trafficking By: Phil Leggiere 06/01/2011 (12:00am) <http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=xa-4a8ac57416db70f7> Bookmark and Share Though progress has been made in combating Mexican drug trafficking organizations, further institutional reform in Mexico will be essential in order to sustain progress, according to a new report by the United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics control. But while te United States provides counternarcotics assistance throughout the world, the report, US and Mexican Responses to Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations <http://drugcaucus.senate.gov/Mexico-Report-Final-5-2011.pdf> , noted that "our security partnership with Mexico is unique. What happens in Mexico has a deep impact on the United States and the reciprocal is also true. The report outlined several key findings. First, it noted, the southwest border is the primary route for the transfer of illicit drug proceeds fueling Mexicos drug trafficking organizations. Trucks filled with bulk cash literally are being driven across the US-Mexico border to fund the drug trafficking organizations. While current data shows that bulk cash smuggling is the main method for expatriating money from the US to Mexico, the report added, a large amount of additional money is laundered from the US to Mexico through various electronic means. While continuing to crack down on bulk cash smuggling, the United States must stay ahead of the drug trafficking organizations by also going after these newer methods of money laundering. Additionally, the report warned that ports of entry have inadequate technology, infrastructure, and staffing to carry out southbound inspections and interdict weapons and bulk cash. The drug caucus staff said it observed inadequate infrastructure to conduct southbound inspections at ports of entry in El Paso, Texas; Nogales, Arizona and San Diego, California. Staff observed that law enforcement often must conduct operations in freeway environments without dedicated southbound inspection areas and lanes. The report also found that illegal tunneling activity on the US southwest border by Mexican drug trafficking organizations and their associates represents a significant and persistent threat to border security. Border tunnels are most often used to transport narcotics from Mexico to the United States, but could also be used to transport people and other contraband. "The Mexican government must continue to combat its countrys violent drug trafficking organizations and curb the supply of illicit drugs flowing into our country, the report concluded. It also must take action to better secure its northern border as well as its southern border with Central America to prevent illegal narcotics, weapons, and illicit proceeds from entering the country. At the same time, it said the US must take action to better counter the southbound traffic of money and firearms that fuel the drug trafficking organizations, while also working to reduce our countrys massive demand for illegal narcotics. The report made several recommendations for the government. They include: * Enhancing authorities and businesses focus on understanding, mapping, and tracking the financial structures and money transfers of drug trafficking organizations; and * Proactively providing judicial sector assistance to each Mexican state that requests it during the next phase of the Mérida Initiative; and Developing fundamental measures of success for the Mérida Initiative. 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