NCJ Number
62884
Date Published
1978
Length
371 pages
Annotation
TESTIMONY IS GIVEN BEFORE THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY REGARDING CURRENT LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS TO REDUCE ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING AT ITS SOURCE AND AT THE MEXICAN BORDER.
Abstract
IN OPENING THE HEARING (FEBRUARY 10 AND APRIL 19, 1978) THE CHAIRMAN NOTED THAT SINCE THE EARLY 1970'S, WHEN THE TURKISH-FRENCH DRUG TRAFFICKING SYSTEM WAS BROKEN, A MAJOR SHARE OF THE ILLEGAL TRAFFIC IN HARD DRUGS, NOTABLY HEROIN, WAS COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM MEXICO. FURTHER, THE CHAIRMAN INDICATED THAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN JOINT UNITED STATES-MEXICAN EFFORTS TO ERADICATE MEXICAN POPPY FIELDS AND BREAK TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS AT THEIR SOURCE. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION, AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT WERE INVITED TO TESTIFY. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT JOINT MEXICAN-AMERICAN EFFORTS TO ERADICATE OPIUM POPPY FIELDS HAVE INCREASED AND SHOWN MEASURES OF SUCCESS. THE DRUG MARKET HAS BEEN REDUCED, AS EVIDENCED BY THE RAISE IN ILLICIT DRUG WHOLESALE PRICES IN MEXICO AND A REDUCTION IN THE PURITY OF HEROIN AND THE NUMBER OF DRUG-RELATED DEATHS IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE EFFORTS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE, WITH THE BULK OF THE FUNDING COMING FROM THE UNITED STATES, BUT WITH MEXICO MOVING TOWARD SELF-SUPPORTING DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT. WITNESSES INDICATE THE BORDER CONTROL EFFORTS TO COUNTER SMUGGLING HAVE BEEN HAMPERED BY THE FRAGMENTATION AND DUPLICATION OF THE EFFORTS OF THE VARIOUS FEDERAL AGENCIES INVOLVED IN BORDER CONTROL. SUGGESTIONS FOR REORGANIZATION TO ELIMINATE THESE PROBLEMS ARE OFFERED. GRAPHIC AND TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)