U.S.-Mexico border drug trafficking strategies and community resilience initiatives

Combating Drug Trade Along the Southwestern Border

Proposed Strategy for Combating the Drug Trade along the Southwestern Border

The issue of drug trafficking and smuggling has been a serious concern for both Mexico and the United States for decades. Mexico has been identified as the primary supplier of narcotics to the U.S., with the Southwestern border accounting for between 90 and 95% of all illicit drugs smuggled illegally into the U.S. market. In 2007, the presidents of the two countries held a summit, where they pledged to work together, collaboratively in the fight against drug trafficking. Today, substance use accounts for approximately 26% of crimes committed in the U.S. Both the U.S. and the Mexican governments recognize the security threat posed by illicit drug use, and have committed themselves to addressing the problem once and for all. The two countries have implemented numerous initiatives geared at curbing the growth of the drug trade. In the U.S. for instance, the DOJ has implemented a variety of initiatives that range from extraditing kingpins to treating addicts, training law-enforcement officers, conducting anti-drug campaigns, conducting prevention and treatment research, developing drug courts, and investing in drug-interdiction technologies. Mexico too has implemented its own share of strategies, most of which are focused on collaboration and information-sharing with U.S. agencies. Most of the initiatives implemented by both countries have, however, focused on intercepting drugs and drug proceeds, with only very few focusing on destroying the market for these illicit substances. This proposal provides the stepping stone for a project seeking to inhibit the growth of the drug trade by developing strong and resilient border communities that promote healthy lifestyles and resist criminal activities.

Summary

Bilateral cooperation between Mexico and the United States has become one of the most significant hallmarks of inter-American relations (Dell, 2012). In 2007, the presidents of the two countries organized a summit to devise ways of addressing matters of mutual concern important to both governments. In that summit, the issue of drug consumption and drug trafficking was identified as one of the most pressing concerns facing both countries (Murataya & Gonzales, 2011; Dell, 2012). Across the globe, nations have formed alliances geared at addressing issues of drug trafficking and consumption (Dell, 2012). Owing to the complexity of the illegal drug market, it is prudent that afflicted countries collaborate to develop effective campaigns and strategies to fight the consumption and trafficking of narcotics. The U.S.-Mexico summit held in 2007 symbolizes that both countries understand the negative effects of narcotics, Mexico as a principal transporter and supplier, and the U.S. as a core consumer. There are a number of lessons that one could learn from the cooperative anti-narcotics efforts between these two countries and many other countries across the globe. The first of these lessons is that the narcotics market has boomed at the cost of billions of dollars and many lost lives. Moreover, cooperative counternarcotics efforts are key if the world is to put up an effective fight against illegal drugs. Based on these lessons, this text develops a counternarcotics program, with promising strategies and initiatives that could be used to combat the flow of drugs along the southwestern border. It begins with a brief description of how illegal drug activities along the border with Mexico affect the economies and general populations of both countries. It also reviews what other researchers have said about the issue, particularly about the nature of the trade, and initiatives that have previously been implemented to curb the same. Finally, it presents the objectives of the proposed program, its strategies and initiatives, what it intends to achieve, and the financial requirements that would facilitate its effective implementation.

Problem Statement

Drug-related violence has increased dramatically in both Mexico and the United States since 2007 (Dell, 2012). In Mexico, over 50, 000 lives were lost as a result of drug-related violence between 2007 and 2010 (Dell, 2012). The case is no different in the United States, with the Federal Bureau of Investigations reporting in 2007 that approximately 3.9% of homicides in which circumstances are known are usually drug-related (BJS, 2015). In a 2007 National Crime Victimization Survey, 26% of crime victims interviewed revealed that the offender was using illegal drugs (BJS, 2015). Moreover, it was revealed that over 41% of crimes committed against college students and 38% of those committed against the rest of the population are committed by offenders using illegal drugs (BJS, 2015). About a quarter of all robberies in the U.S. and 2 of every 5 sexual assault cases are committed by offenders perceived to be using illegal drugs (BJS, 2015). Moreover, 35% of workplace violence cases are perpetrated by offenders using illicit drugs (BJS, 2015). These statistics point to illegal drug use as a serious social concern in both Mexico and the United States.

It has since emerged that Mexico is the largest supplier of drugs to the U.S. illicit drug market (Dell, 2012). The United Nations estimates that Mexican drug traffickers earn about $25 billion annually from drug trafficking activities in the U.S. market (Dell, 2012). Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations continue to expand their illegal activities and to dominate the illegal drugs supply chain throughout the United States (Dell, 2012). According to the White House, between 90 and 95% of cocaine entering the United States market passes through the Southwestern border (the border with Mexico) (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2013). The White House report also shows the border to be notorious for the smuggling of illegal weapons and drug-related bulk currency from the United States to Mexico (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2013). These smuggling activities pose a security threat to both countries, and have a hand in fueling the violence in the interior of Mexico, as well as along the Southwest border (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2013).

Multiple initiatives have already been implemented to deal with the illegal activities occurring along the Southwestern border (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2013). The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has established eleven domestic centers along the border, which work collaboratively with the El Paso Intelligence Center to address drug-related matters at the border through information and intelligence sharing (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2013). Recent years have, however, seen both countries reduce their domestic efforts and engage in bilateral partnerships geared at confronting the organizations that profit from illegal drug trade along the border (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2013). Most of the ongoing counternarcotics efforts are based on the concepts of mutual trust and shared responsibility (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2013). U.S. law enforcement officers share intelligence and information with their Mexican counterparts, and engage in collaborative training as a way of reducing the illegal activities taking place at the border (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2013). Most of their efforts have been focused on stemming the flow of illicit proceeds and weapons, disrupting drug trafficking organizations notorious along the border, and interdicting drugs and other illegal substances that attempt to make their way across the border.

Very few initiatives have focused on destroying the market to which these illegal substances are supplied. The proposed program provides a plan on how Mexican and U.S. law enforcement agencies can work together to destroy this market for illegal substances by developing resilient border communities that promote healthy lifestyles and resist criminal activities.

Literature Review

This literature review comprises of two distinct sections. The first section reviews literature touching on the nature and characteristics of Mexican drug trafficking groups, including their organizational structure, their activities and modes of operation, and their power to corrupt. Understanding what other researchers have said about the features and operation of such groups is crucial in developing effective strategies for curbing their growth and operation along the Southwestern border.

The second section reviews literature touching on the specific initiatives implemented by both Mexico and the United States to combat illegal smuggling activities along the border.

Initiatives to Combat Drug Trafficking

Steps taken by the U.S.: The U.S.' response to the issue of drug trafficking involves collaborative efforts among the departments of Transportation, Treasury, State, Defense, and Justice and multiple other agencies of government (UN, 2001). The efforts have focused on the areas of counterdrug support, prosecutions, immigration and drug enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug interdiction, and counternarcotics cooperation with Mexico (UN, 2001). Through the National Drug Control Budget, the U.S. makes budgetary allocations to fund a variety of counternarcotics programs that range from extraditing kingpins to treating addicts, training law-enforcement officers, conducting anti-drug campaigns, conducting prevention and treatment research, developing drug courts, and investing in drug-interdiction technologies (UN, 2001). The departments involved have recorded successes as a result of these initiatives -- the Customs Department, for instance, routinely intercepts large quantities of illegal drugs during its operations (UN, 2001). In February 2001, the Department intercepted 9000 pounds of marijuana concealed in a truck ferrying papayas (UN, 2001).

Besides intercepting drugs and drug proceeds, the U.S. government also encourages the formation of alliances between various segments of society as a way of eradicating the market for illicit drugs (UN, 2001). Some of these alliances involve departments working with other departments to eradicate sources and markets for drugs, and schools working with law-enforcement agencies to educate children on the harms of using narcotics (Moore & Kleiman, 1989).

Another significant initiative undertaken by the U.S. government is the highway drug interdiction program (Guerra, 1992). In this case trained highway patrol officers and state troopers inspect and intercept shipments of drugs on highways (UN, 2001). This initiative has, however, come under serious criticism from civil society groups that condemn law-enforcement agencies for unfairly targeting minorities in their inspections (Engel & Johnson, 2006). In their study, Engel and Johnson (2006) showed that a black motorist was 1.7 to 5.4 times more likely to be stopped for a drug search compared to their white counterpart. Moreover, a Hispanic driver was 1.8 to 9.6 times more likely to be searched by patrol agencies compared to a white driver (Engel & Johnson, 2006). The author posits that if the initiative is to be effective in realizing its intended objectives, stakeholders will need to take caution to ensure that it does not result in racial profiling (Engel & Johnson, 2006).

Steps Taken by Mexico: Mexico and the U.S. have developed a strong partnership in the fight against illicit drugs (UN, 2001). This partnership has helped to realize significant successes in the fight. In 2000, for instance, collaborative efforts between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Mexican Navy resulted in the interception of 2.25 tons of cocaine from a boat along the coast of Mexico (UN, 2001). Moreover, the Mexican government has provided extensive support to U.S. law-enforcement officers in crucial counternarcotics operations such as Operation Impunity (UN, 2001). Operation Impunity targeted the powerful Carrillo-Fuentes drug group based in Juarez City (Beith, 2010). Mexican officials, working together with the FBI, were able to carry out a comprehensive investigation on the group's operations, and to consequently indict the group's leader, Vicente Carrillo-Fuentes (Beith, 2010).

Additionally, the Mexican government has committed to fight against corruption and bribery by drug organizations (UN, 2001). The government has put in place the Interdepartmental Commission for Transparency and the Fight against Corruption Taskforce, which meets regularly to discuss problems associated with corruption within various arms of government, and to devise solutions for eliminating corrupt practices among government officials (UN, 2001).

Gaps in Literature

A lot has been said about Mexican drug groups, and the initiatives undertaken by both Mexico and the United States to combat the issue of drug trafficking. Evidently, however, most researchers have focused on what has, and needs to be done to deal with the issue of drug trafficking from a general perspective. Very little literature exists on the specific strategies and initiatives that have, and need to be taken to reduce the problem at the Southwestern border specifically. The few studies that have delved into this area have focused on programs and initiatives that have been used to intercept drugs and drug proceeds making their way into either country across the border. There is almost no literature focusing on the aspect of demand-reduction along the Southwestern border. The proposed program develops a plan that could be used to destroy the demand for illicit substances by developing strong border communities that resist criminal organizations and value the culture of lawfulness.

Objectives

Strategic Objective

The primary objective of the proposed program is to reduce demand for illicit substances by developing resilient border communities that promote healthy lifestyles and resist criminal activities.

Specific Objectives

To develop resilient and strong border communities that resist criminal groups and value the culture of lawfulness

If border communities are able to resist the criminal doings of gangs and traffickers operating amongst them, such gangs are likely to derive less profitability from operating there.

To develop culturally-appropriate and evidence-based treatment and prevention strategies

Research needs to be conducted to understand the specific needs and cultures of border communities. Strategies should then be developed in line with these needs and cultural values.

To integrate substance use disorder services into mainstream medicine

Using technology to support the treatment of disorders related to substance abuse could go a long way in increasing reach to border communities, which are often underserved and largely impoverished (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2013).

Procedures

This section covers the specific strategies that could be used to realize each of the aforementioned objectives.

To develop resilient and strong border communities that resist criminal groups and value the culture of lawfulness

A number of strategies could be employed to help in realizing this objective. The first of these strategies is to educate border communities on the dangers of drug trafficking, gang violence, gang participation and substance use. Law-enforcement officers also need to organize conferences and training facilities for youth at the border to educate them on current trends in drug trafficking such as the use of juveniles because they attract a less severe punishment (UN, 2001). In order for this to occur, however, there needs to be a favorable climate between police and border communities -- for the proposed program, the researcher will conduct research to determine the kind of relationship that currently exists between the two factions, identify reasons for poor relations (if any), and find out from both the police and local communities, what needs to be done to strengthen information-sharing and the relationship in general.

The second strategy is to have law-enforcement officials form partnerships with local community organizations and NGOs to identify and address the troubles facing border communities, driving them to drug usage. The researcher will conduct an online analysis to determine which NGOs could offer the most help, and in what form. Law-enforcement officials could then organize meetings with representatives from these NGOs and community groups to determine how they can work collaboratively to make border communities resilient to drug trafficking.

To develop culturally-appropriate and evidence-based treatment and prevention strategies

Past studies indicate that the prevalence of violence and drug activity at the border has caused border populations to become desensitized to the drug trade (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2013). It is prudent that the response put up by law-enforcement officials serve the specific needs of border communities. These responses should focus on understanding and changing the norms of these communities to make them understand and accept that violence, crime and the drug trade can be stopped, and their communities can be made safe again. This project will seek to collect data and information on the perceptions, attitudes and concerns of people living along the border, and to then provide positive prevention messaging that respond to these specific concerns.

To integrate substance use disorder services into mainstream medicine

Treatment is essential if border communities are to be kept from providing a market for illicit drug substances. This program will seek to find out whether health centers along the border are properly-equipped to offer screening and treatment facilities to people suffering from substance abuse disorders, and whether the personnel there are qualified to care effectively for such patients. Field visits will be conducted to major health facilities in Los Angeles, El Paso, San Diego, and Pecos to assess their ability to offer effective care to persons suffering from substance abuse disorders. Based on the gathered data, the researcher will make recommendations on the specific equipment that needs to be purchased and the kind of training that needs to be offered to both community members and medical personnel to ensure that persons with substance abuse issues are properly-treated, and provided with the requisite after-care support. Community members can be a good source of support for persons with such disorders, particularly in relation to providing peer support.

The Work Plan and Budget

The proposed project is expected to run for six months; at the end of the six-month, the researcher will present their report, with findings and recommendations to the DOJ for approval and implementation. In the first month, the study will be based in the City of Los Angeles. El Paso will be studied in the second month, and San Diego and Pecos in the third and fourth months respectively. During the study, the researcher will interact with, and build close relations with locals as a way of increasing the credibility and truthfulness of information given. The time to be taken in each activity and the estimated cost has been summarized in table 1 below.

Table 1: Estimated Cost for Conducting the Project

Activity

Estimated Time

Estimated Cost

Data collection in Los Angeles on:

i) The relationship between locals and police

ii) Perceptions and attitudes held by locals about drug trade and safety

Field visit to:

i) the UCLA Medical Center

ii) the Keck Medical Center of USC

iii) the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center

1.5 weeks

1.5 weeks

3 days

3 days

3 days

Hotel Accommodation for the month

$2, 600

Transport cost

$500

Total $3,100

Data collection in El Paso on:

i) The relationship between locals and police

ii) Perceptions and attitudes held by locals about drug trade and safety

Field visit to:

i) Peak Behavioral Health Services

ii) Del Sol Medical Center

1.5 weeks

1.5 weeks

3 days

3 days

3 days

Hotel Accommodation for the month

$2,400

Transport Cost

$500

Total $2, 900

Data collection in San Diego on:

i) The relationship between locals and police

ii) Perceptions and attitudes held by locals about drug trade and safety

Field visit to:

i) UC San Diego Medical Center

ii) Scripps Mercy Hospital

iii) Alvarado Hospital

1.5 weeks

1.5 weeks

3 days

3 days

3 days

Hotel accommodation for the month

$2, 630

Transport cost

$550

Total $3, 180

Data collection in Pecos on:

i) The relationship between locals and police

ii) Perceptions and attitudes held by locals about drug trade and safety

Field visit to:

i) Pecos County Memorial Hospital

ii) Pecos Valley Rural Health Clinic

iii) Reeves County Hospital

1.5 weeks

1.5 weeks

3 days

3 days

3 days

Hotel accommodation for the month

$2, 100

Transport cost

$500

Total $2,600

Research on useful NGOs and community groups (the same hotel in Pecos)

1 week

$490

Analysis and organization of gathered data

2 weeks

$1,000

Formulation of recommendations

2 weeks

$1, 000

Creation of report to be submitted to the DOJ

3 weeks

$1, 500

Total

6 months

$15, 770