{
  "id": "RL34215",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RL34215",
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  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
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      "id": 347723,
      "date": "2008-02-25",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-07T03:38:59.472627",
      "title": "Mexico\u2019s Drug Cartels",
      "summary": "Mexico, a major drug producing and transit country, is the main foreign supplier of marijuana and a major supplier of methamphetamine to the United States. Although Mexico accounts for only a small share of worldwide heroin production, it supplies a large share of heroin consumed in the United States. An estimated 90% of cocaine entering the United States transits Mexico. Violence in the border region has affected U.S. citizens and more than 60 Americans have been kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo. In July 2007, Mexican drug cartels reportedly threatened to kill a U.S. journalist covering drug violence in the border region. The proposed M\u00e9rida Initiative would provide at least $950 million to combat drug and organized crime.\nAlthough Mexican drug cartels, or drug trafficking organizations, have existed for quite some time, they have become more powerful since the demise of Colombia\u2019s Cali and Medell\u00edn cartels in the 1990s. Mexican drug cartels now dominate the wholesale illicit drug market in the United States. Arrests of key cartel leaders, particularly in the Tijuana and Gulf cartels, have led to increasing drug violence as cartels fight for control of the trafficking routes into the United States. The Gulf and Sinaloa cartels reportedly use personal \u201cenforcer gangs\u201d to perpetuate violence and intimidate Mexican citizens and public officials. Mexican President Felipe Calder\u00f3n has called drug violence a threat to the Mexican state.\nThis report provides an overview of: Mexican cartels and their operations, including the nature of cartel ties to gangs such as the Mara Salvatrucha; Mexican cartel drug production in the United States; and the presence of Mexican cartel cells in the United States. Mexican cartels allegedly have used their vast financial resources to corrupt Mexican public officials who either turn a blind eye to cartel activities or work directly for them. Since 2005, the Mexican government has made numerous efforts to purge corrupt police. In December 2006, President Felipe Calder\u00f3n launched operations against the cartels in 9 of Mexico\u2019s 32 states. He has pledged to use extradition as a tool against drug traffickers, and sent 73 criminals to the United States as of August 2007, including the alleged head of the Gulf Cartel.\nThis report also examines potential policy approaches to the problem of drug trafficking and violence. Current U.S. and Mexican policy emphasizes interdiction and eradication. Supporters of this policy maintain that these efforts have reduced the supply of drugs in the United States. Critics maintain that Administration officials have refused to release data showing that cocaine prices are falling, suggesting that the drug supply is growing, not shrinking. These critics suggest that more emphasis should be placed on demand reduction in the United States, including drug prevention education and treatment. The Mexican government urges the United States to increase its efforts to reduce U.S. demand for drugs, stating that it cannot succeed in its efforts against the cartels so long as cartels stand to earn billions of dollars annually from the U.S. illicit drug market. Critics of current policy, including the Mexican government, are also calling for increased efforts to combat arms trafficking from the United States to Mexico. This report may be updated. For further information on Mexico, see CRS Report RL34215, Mexico\u2019s Drug Cartels, by Colleen W. Cook.",
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    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc808015/",
      "id": "RL34215_2007Oct16",
      "date": "2007-10-16",
      "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26",
      "title": "Mexico's Drug Cartels",
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