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Mexican Drug Violence Seeps Into US

Cartels' reach extends to Canada

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 23, 2009 6:40 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Drug violence has killed more than 7,000 in Mexico since January 2008—and now it’s spreading into the US, the New York Times reports. Home-invasion investigators in Arizona have seen 200 cases since their squad formed last year, and violence has reached across the continent: there have been assaults in Birmingham, kidnappings in Phoenix, and shootings in Vancouver.

Mexican cartels and their allies work in some 230 cities from Anchorage to Boston, more than twice the number 3 years before, a Justice department report said in December. “The amount of violence has drastically increased in the last 6 to 12 months, especially in the area of home invasions,” said a police officer from Arizona. “The people we have arrested, a high percentage are from Mexico.”

Arizona and federal officials are sworn in on Capitol Hill Tuesday, March 17, 2009, prior to testifying on law enforcement responses to the Mexican drug cartels.
Arizona and federal officials are sworn in on Capitol Hill Tuesday, March 17, 2009, prior to testifying on law enforcement responses to the Mexican drug cartels.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Mexican soldiers patrol along the bank of the Bravo river near Los Guerra, on Mexico's northeastern border with the US, Wednesday, March 18, 2009.
Mexican soldiers patrol along the bank of the Bravo river near Los Guerra, on Mexico's northeastern border with the US, Wednesday, March 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
The international border made up of X-shaped rail barricades separates Mexico, to the right, and the United States on the left, in a 2006 file photo, inside the Organ Pipe National Monument, Ariz.
The international border made up of X-shaped rail barricades separates Mexico, to the right, and the United States on the left, in a 2006 file photo, inside the Organ Pipe National Monument, Ariz.   (AP Photo/Matt York, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Mad
Mar 23, 2009 5:16 AM CDT
It's hard for me to care about gang bangers killing gang bangers. I understand in Canada, once the firm determination has been made the homicide they are investigating is gang on gang violence, the RCMP halt the investigation of finding the individual who pulled the trigger and prosecute no one, saving money and resources for more worthy cases. Drug dealing Mexicans killing other drug dealing Mexicans - pfft -
Mr.C
Mar 23, 2009 4:52 AM CDT
Hope Felipe Calderon succeeds - and crushes corruption in political circles and law enforcement.
Mr.C
Mar 23, 2009 4:51 AM CDT
The violence will be there regardless of law enforcement. There is a battle for money and for prevalence between gangs.

 
drugs • Mexico • United States • drug cartel • violent crime

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