NCJ Number
190070
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 278-295
Date Published
August 2001
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the role of the Mexican army as a major player in the trafficking of drugs into the United States from Mexico.
Abstract
As much as possible, the article relied on published Mexican sources and interviews with former drug traffickers in a State prison in Tamaulipas; relatives of drug traffickers who were the author's students; and a variety of border patrol agents and supervisors, U.S. Customs officials, and other law enforcement officials. These sources were supplemented with citations from pertinent American books, journals, and newspapers. All attempts by the author to obtain official documents that pertained to the operations of Mexican army troops on American territory were refused by U.S. authorities. The author examined the chaotic conditions along the Mexican side of the border due to the breakup of the Matamoros cartel and the consequent functional necessity of the Mexican Army's stepping in to ensure safe and unimpeded drug shipments into the United States. In addition, this article provided evidence that the antidrug role of the military in combating the drug trade was a necessary adjunct to its role as a major trafficker in drugs. The author argued that the U.S. administration's policy of ignoring Mexican military corruption as well as its incursions into U.S. territory was counterproductive in the effort to effectively curtail the drug trade. Further, it lends itself to the militarization of Mexican society, and it ultimately threatens harmonious international relations with Mexico by encouraging an increasingly aggressive military presence along the U.S. border with Mexico. 13 notes and 30 references