Criminal Justice andCriminal Justice and Narco-trafficking in Narco-trafficking in

MexicoMexico

Trends in Security and Public Trends in Security and Public Safety in MexicoSafety in Mexico

Problems related to law enforcement and Problems related to law enforcement and justice administration are formidable justice administration are formidable obstacles to Mexico’s democratic systemobstacles to Mexico’s democratic system

Need for effective judicial systemNeed for effective judicial system

Not enough moneyNot enough money

Low public confidence in policeLow public confidence in police

High degree of “personal insecurity” in High degree of “personal insecurity” in MexicoMexico

Political Shift in 2000Political Shift in 2000Fox administration saw advances in Fox administration saw advances in crackdowns on corruption, deterrence crackdowns on corruption, deterrence of human rights violations, increased of human rights violations, increased apprehension of individuals involved in apprehension of individuals involved in narco-traffickingnarco-traffickingHowever, narco-traffickers escaped However, narco-traffickers escaped custody, drug syndicates became more custody, drug syndicates became more organizedorganizedMexico is a democracy without rule of Mexico is a democracy without rule of lawlaw

““Ah, poor Mexico…Ah, poor Mexico…so far from God, and so close to the so far from God, and so close to the United States.” Porfirio Diaz, 19United States.” Porfirio Diaz, 19thth century Mexican president – Mexico century Mexican president – Mexico shares a 2000-mile long border with shares a 2000-mile long border with the U.S. Lack of rule of law concerns the U.S. Lack of rule of law concerns both Mexico and U.S.both Mexico and U.S.Problems: narco-trafficking, Problems: narco-trafficking, immigration, smuggling and other immigration, smuggling and other “trans-border” crimes“trans-border” crimesU.S. in process of building 2000-mile U.S. in process of building 2000-mile long border fencelong border fenceSocial and economic integration Social and economic integration promote law enforcement cooperation promote law enforcement cooperation between U.S. and Mexicobetween U.S. and Mexico

Mexico is coming under fire for holding back on the number of deaths connected to the war on drugs. Current estimates are that at least 50,000 have died since Calderon has been in office.

Drug Use: A Brief HistoryDrug Use: A Brief History

Africa: narcotics consumed for medicinal Africa: narcotics consumed for medicinal and religious purposesand religious purposesAsia & Middle East: opium poppies grown, Asia & Middle East: opium poppies grown, opium use in China promoted by the opium use in China promoted by the BritishBritishAmericas: narcotics used for medicinal Americas: narcotics used for medicinal and religious purposesand religious purposesEurope: narcotics brought to Europe Europe: narcotics brought to Europe during Age of Exploration, initially used by during Age of Exploration, initially used by elites then became more widespread elites then became more widespread during the 19during the 19thth century century

Early Drug Use in 20Early Drug Use in 20thth Century Century United StatesUnited States

Drugs for medicinal as well as Drugs for medicinal as well as recreational purposes until early 20recreational purposes until early 20thth centurycenturyCocaine an ingredient in Coca-cola Cocaine an ingredient in Coca-cola until 1903 until 1903 Opium used by Chinese immigrants, Opium used by Chinese immigrants, then spreads throughout populationthen spreads throughout populationHemp/marijuana has been grown in Hemp/marijuana has been grown in the U.S since at least the 18the U.S since at least the 18thth century century

“Coca-cola was introduced in 1886 as "a valuable brain-tonic and cure for all nervous afflictions". Coca-cola was promoted as a temperance drink "offering the virtues of coca without the vices of alcohol". The new beverage was invigorating and popular. Until 1903, a typical serving contained around 60mg of cocaine. Sold today, it still contains an extract of coca-leaves. The Coca-Cola Company imports eight tons from South America each year. Nowadays the leaves are used only for flavouring since the drug has been removed.“

Source cocaine.org

“Of course, cocaine seeped into American culture despite its removal from Coca-Cola - for example, back in the Roaring Twenties the noted song writer Cole Porter penned the lyrics ‘I get no kick from champagne,

Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all, So tell me why should it be true That I get a kick out of you? Some get a kick from cocaine. I'm sure that if I took even one sniff that would bore me terrific'ly too. Yet I get a kick out of you.’ "

Cole Porter 1891-1964

Source ethiopundit

The Very Early War on The Very Early War on DrugsDrugs

1914: Cocaine outlawed 1914: Cocaine outlawed 1919 Volstead Act: Banning 1919 Volstead Act: Banning alcohol arguably increased alcohol arguably increased demand for other drugs.demand for other drugs.1924: Heroin outlawed1924: Heroin outlawed1937: Marijuana outlawed1937: Marijuana outlawed1970: Controlled Substances 1970: Controlled Substances Act restricts “narcotics, Act restricts “narcotics, stimulants, depressants, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, anabolic hallucinogens, anabolic steroids.” steroids.”

Modern War on DrugsModern War on Drugs1970 Controlled Substances Act 1970 Controlled Substances Act basis for Nixon’s “War on Drugs”basis for Nixon’s “War on Drugs”1980’s: War on Drugs continued 1980’s: War on Drugs continued by Reagan, sought more by Reagan, sought more aggressive interdiction from aggressive interdiction from South AmericaSouth AmericaMexico becomes more attractive Mexico becomes more attractive route for cocaine into U.S.route for cocaine into U.S.Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledges that drug trade is acknowledges that drug trade is driven by U.S. demand in 2009driven by U.S. demand in 2009Congress passes legislation to Congress passes legislation to reduced disparities in cocaine reduced disparities in cocaine sentencing 2010.sentencing 2010.18 US states and DC have 18 US states and DC have legalized medical use of legalized medical use of marijuana. Colorado has marijuana. Colorado has legalized “recreational” use legalized “recreational” use 2012. 2012.

United States cannabis laws. States with medical cannabis lawsStates with decriminalization lawsStates with bothStates with legalized cannabis

Current InitiativesCurrent InitiativesEradication: Eradication: destroying crops and destroying crops and production of illegal production of illegal narcoticsnarcoticsInterdiction: seizing Interdiction: seizing drugs to stop drugs in drugs to stop drugs in transittransitDislocation: Dislocation: weakening weakening narcotrafficking narcotrafficking networksnetworksMexico has employed Mexico has employed all three tacticsall three tacticsLaw enforcement officers

oversee burning of marijuana plants

Mexico and the War on Mexico and the War on DrugsDrugs

1970’s: increased seizures of 1970’s: increased seizures of marijuana and heroin and cocaine marijuana and heroin and cocaine from South Americafrom South America

Recently, cocaine targeted through Recently, cocaine targeted through dislocation and interdictiondislocation and interdiction

Marijuana still the most seized crop – Marijuana still the most seized crop – mom-and-pop growers easier to mom-and-pop growers easier to tackletackle

Production and Distribution in Production and Distribution in Mexico Mexico

““Currently, the U.S. government Currently, the U.S. government estimates that about half of the $65 estimates that about half of the $65 billion in drugs that Americans buy billion in drugs that Americans buy each year come from Mexico, rivaling each year come from Mexico, rivaling oil, tourism and assembly-for-export oil, tourism and assembly-for-export plants as sources of income.” plants as sources of income.”

For those of a certain age, Cheech Marin andTommy Chong were the gurus of all thingspot in the 1970’s.

Marijuana Marijuana Marijuana has been produced and exported Marijuana has been produced and exported from Mexico since the 19from Mexico since the 19thth century, but was century, but was outlawed in 1923. Today it is a significant outlawed in 1923. Today it is a significant cash crop.cash crop.Marijuana is the cheapest of the three Marijuana is the cheapest of the three narcotics supplied, after heroin and cocaine. narcotics supplied, after heroin and cocaine. But, growers can make as much $$ But, growers can make as much $$ producing 1 kilo of pot as 1 ton of corn.producing 1 kilo of pot as 1 ton of corn.Marijuana is transported mainly by ground – Marijuana is transported mainly by ground – trucks, cars, busses and trains.trucks, cars, busses and trains.Eradication is the main focus. Mostly small-Eradication is the main focus. Mostly small-time dealers are caught and punished.time dealers are caught and punished.

HeroinHeroin

Opium first introduced into Opium first introduced into U.S. by Chinese U.S. by Chinese immigrants in 1910’s and immigrants in 1910’s and 1920’s but displaced by 1920’s but displaced by Mexicans in 1930’sMexicans in 1930’sMexico becomes a major Mexico becomes a major supplier of heroin in 1970’ssupplier of heroin in 1970’sMajor heroin-smuggling Major heroin-smuggling operations put out of operations put out of business in the 1980’sbusiness in the 1980’s

Wake up, Dorothy…

CocaineCocaine

Over the 1980’s Colombia’s violent Medellin cartel Over the 1980’s Colombia’s violent Medellin cartel “self-destructed” and gradually replaced by Cali “self-destructed” and gradually replaced by Cali cartelcartelCali ran a multi-billion dollar enterprise with 700 Cali ran a multi-billion dollar enterprise with 700 aircraft ferrying drugs to the U.S. via Mexicoaircraft ferrying drugs to the U.S. via Mexico1995-96: top leadership of Cali dead or in jail 1995-96: top leadership of Cali dead or in jail courtesy of Colombian policecourtesy of Colombian policeMexican organizations took over direct delivery from Mexican organizations took over direct delivery from Bolivia and PeruBolivia and PeruMexico transports, does not produce – remote coast Mexico transports, does not produce – remote coast lines provide convenient hiding places for illicit drugslines provide convenient hiding places for illicit drugsFocus is air interdiction – traffickers are resorting to Focus is air interdiction – traffickers are resorting to land transportland transport93% of cocaine bound for USA comes via Mexico93% of cocaine bound for USA comes via Mexico

MethamphetamineMethamphetamine

Crackdown on US meth production Crackdown on US meth production shifts problem south of the bordershifts problem south of the border

Mexico is #1 supplier of meth in USAMexico is #1 supplier of meth in USA Estimated cost over $14,000 per Estimated cost over $14,000 per

poundpound

The Playas…The Playas…The Producers: estimates of The Producers: estimates of upwards of 200,000 Mexicans derive upwards of 200,000 Mexicans derive at least part of their living from the at least part of their living from the drug tradedrug tradeThe Cartels: 4 main ones based in The Cartels: 4 main ones based in Ciudad-Juarez, Sonora, Guadalajara Ciudad-Juarez, Sonora, Guadalajara and Tijuana – all U.S. border citiesand Tijuana – all U.S. border citiesThe Military: seen as above the fray The Military: seen as above the fray and out of politics, popularand out of politics, popularThe PGR: ProcuradurThe PGR: Procuraduríía General de a General de la Repla Repúública – national law blica – national law enforcement – viewed as ineffectiveenforcement – viewed as ineffectiveThe U.S. Drug Czar: charged with The U.S. Drug Czar: charged with working with Mexican officials – working with Mexican officials – focused now more on U.S. demand focused now more on U.S. demand rather than Mexican supplyrather than Mexican supply

The Playas, continuedThe Playas, continuedThe DEA: primary federal agency The DEA: primary federal agency responsible for U.S. war on drugsresponsible for U.S. war on drugsThe Money Launderers: currency The Money Launderers: currency exchange house proliferate along exchange house proliferate along U.S.-Mexico border. Drug $$ U.S.-Mexico border. Drug $$ invested in legit businesses, e.g. invested in legit businesses, e.g. restaurants, ranchingrestaurants, ranchingThe U.S. Suppliers: wholesalers who The U.S. Suppliers: wholesalers who work for out-of-country drug gangswork for out-of-country drug gangsThe Buyers: U.S. citizens create The Buyers: U.S. citizens create demand – yet we support the demand – yet we support the politicians who “fight” the war on politicians who “fight” the war on drugsdrugs

The Innocent VictimsThe Innocent Victimsand a film you may have heard of…and a film you may have heard of…““On May 20, 1997, Esequiel Hernandez, Jr. was herding his On May 20, 1997, Esequiel Hernandez, Jr. was herding his family's goats 100 yards from his home on the US-Mexican family's goats 100 yards from his home on the US-Mexican border in Redford, Texas, as he did every day.  Six days border in Redford, Texas, as he did every day.  Six days before, he had turned 18 years old.  Unknown to Esequiel or before, he had turned 18 years old.  Unknown to Esequiel or any of the other residents of Redford, a group of four Marines any of the other residents of Redford, a group of four Marines led by 22-year old Corporal Clemente Banuelos had been led by 22-year old Corporal Clemente Banuelos had been encamped just outside the small village along the Rio Grande encamped just outside the small village along the Rio Grande River for three days.  After watering his small flock of goats in River for three days.  After watering his small flock of goats in the river, Esequiel started on his way back home when the the river, Esequiel started on his way back home when the Marines began stalking him from a distance of 200 yards.  The Marines began stalking him from a distance of 200 yards.  The four camouflaged Marines were outfitted with state-of-the-art four camouflaged Marines were outfitted with state-of-the-art surveillance equipment and weapons.  Esequiel carried an surveillance equipment and weapons.  Esequiel carried an antique .22 caliber rifle -- a pre-World War I, single shot rifle to antique .22 caliber rifle -- a pre-World War I, single shot rifle to keep wild dogs and rattlesnakes away from his goats.  keep wild dogs and rattlesnakes away from his goats.  The The autopsy showed that Esequiel was facing away from the autopsy showed that Esequiel was facing away from the Marines when he was shot.Marines when he was shot.  He probably never knew the   He probably never knew the Marines were watching him from 200 yards away.  Thus it was Marines were watching him from 200 yards away.  Thus it was that a 22 year-old United States Marine shot and killed an that a 22 year-old United States Marine shot and killed an innocent 18 year-old boy tending his family's goats.”  innocent 18 year-old boy tending his family's goats.”  The 2005 film, The 2005 film, The Three Burials of Melquiades EstradaThe Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, is , is loosely based on this event.loosely based on this event.

Impacts on MexicoImpacts on Mexico

Economic – substantial portion Economic – substantial portion of economy, many participateof economy, many participateSociety and Institutions – Society and Institutions – corruption of police and judiciarycorruption of police and judiciaryMilitarization – crackdowns lead Militarization – crackdowns lead to suppression of rights – but to suppression of rights – but lots of cool toys from the U.S.A !lots of cool toys from the U.S.A !Violence – particularly due to Violence – particularly due to cocaine traffickingcocaine trafficking

U.S – Mexico RelationsU.S – Mexico Relations

U.S. frustrated with Mexican corruptionU.S. frustrated with Mexican corruptionMexico frustrated with U.S. unilateralismMexico frustrated with U.S. unilateralismU.S. officials see corruption in Mexico’s U.S. officials see corruption in Mexico’s government as main problemgovernment as main problemMexico begins to view drugs as a national Mexico begins to view drugs as a national security problemsecurity problemPresident Obama promises to work with President Obama promises to work with President Peña Nieto in effort to eradicate President Peña Nieto in effort to eradicate drug problem.drug problem.

Read more about it – but not at school, Read more about it – but not at school, these sites are blocked…these sites are blocked…

Common Dreams Common Dreams http://www.commondreams.org/headlines01/1213-05.htm http://www.commondreams.org/headlines01/1213-05.htm

U.S. State Department U.S. State Department http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/drugs/ http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/drugs/

    U.S. Drug Control Strategy U.S. Drug Control Strategy http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/index.html http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/index.html

    The War on Drugs-A Summary of the U.S. Approach to the Drug Problem The War on Drugs-A Summary of the U.S. Approach to the Drug Problem http://www.uta.fi/FAST/US2/PAPS/pr-drugs.html http://www.uta.fi/FAST/US2/PAPS/pr-drugs.html

    DEA Controlled Substances Act DEA Controlled Substances Act http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/agency/csa.htm http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/agency/csa.htm

    Drug Reform Coordination Network Drug Reform Coordination Network http://www.drcnet.org/ http://www.drcnet.org/

    War on Drugs Clock: War on Drugs Clock: http://www.drugsense.org/wodclock.htm http://www.drugsense.org/wodclock.htm

    Cocaine: Cocaine: http://www.cocaine.org http://www.cocaine.org