NCJ Number
56554
Date Published
1978
Length
87 pages
Annotation
THIS INVESTIGATION INTO THE FLOW OF ILLICIT DRUGS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES-MEXICO BORDER FINDS THAT BOTH THE STATES BORDERING ON MEXICO AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARE OVERWHELMED BY THE TRAFFIC.
Abstract
THE STATES OF ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, COLORADO, AND UTAH HAVE JOINED TO CREATE A NARCOTICS STRIKE FORCE AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THESE STATE GOVERNMENTS HAVE GONE TO MEXICO TO ENLIST THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT'S COOPERATION. THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM CAN BE SEEN BY EXAMINING 1975 FIGURES FROM THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION: 89 PERCENT OF THE HEROIN REACHING THE U.S. COMES FROM POPPIES GROWN IN MEXICO, 79 PERCENT OF THE MARIHUANA ORIGINATES IN MEXICO, AND A THIRD OF COLOMBIAN COCAINE AND A THIRD OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS PASS THROUGH MEXICO. THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT IS WORKING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT GREATER INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IS NEEDED. MOBILE LABORATORIES OPERATING IN THE MOUNTAINS, BANDS OF PEASANTS SMUGGLING THE DRUGS TO HIDDEN AIRFIELDS, AND THE VAST UNPOPULATED AREAS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE U.S.-MEXICAN BORDER CREATE A MONUMENTAL ENFORCEMENT PROBLEM. BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICALS TESTIFIED THAT THE PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED ONLY BY HALTING PRODUCTION IN MEXICO; THE BORDER CANNOT POSSIBLY BE EFFECTIVELY PATROLLED. THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT PLANS TO CONTINUE SPRAYING WITH THE HERBICIDE PARAQUAT. THIS SPRAYING IS CONDEMNED BY THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATOIN FOR THE REFORM OF MARIHUANA LAWS. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE SEVERAL NEWSPAPER ARTICLES AND A MOTION FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AGAINST THE SPRAYING WHICH THE ORGANIZATION FILED AGAINST THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (GLR)