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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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4

Mexican Drug Bucks Ensnare Texas County, Sheriff

Border sheriff faces trial for clearing the way for drug traffickers

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(Newser) – Starr County on the Texas border is enjoying boom times while the rest of the country is stuck in recession, the Los Angeles Times reports. The county—still one of America's poorest—lies at the center of the cross-border drug trade, and while residents acknowledge that illicit cash has long been central to the economy, the arrest of the county sheriff on drug charges surprised many.

Prosecutors allege that well-liked sheriff Ray Guerra worked in tandem with his Mexican counterpart over the border to smuggle thousands of pounds of marijuana and cocaine into the US. Many residents believe Guerra—who resigned immediately after his arrest—is innocent, but others say the county's culture is to blame. Drug traffickers "feel they can buy law enforcement," said the US attorney for southern Texas. "And sometimes they can."

A sign in El Paso, Texas, Tuesday, April 22, 2008 on the road leading into Mexico warns about carrying firearms and ammunition into Mexico.
A sign in El Paso, Texas, Tuesday, April 22, 2008 on the road leading into Mexico warns about carrying firearms and ammunition into Mexico.   (AP Photo/Alicia Caldwell)
An employee of the Mini-Star roadside restaurant awaits drive-through business in Rio Grande City, Texas, August 5, 2008, in Starr County, along the border with Mexico.
An employee of the Mini-Star roadside restaurant awaits drive-through business in Rio Grande City, Texas, August 5, 2008, in Starr County, along the border with Mexico.   (Getty Images)
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People come and spend money over here, and if they have a bagful of 20s, we don't ask where they got it . That's not our job. This kind of thing has been around here for years.
- Rio Grande City resident Alonzo Alvarez

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4 comments
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riffran
Apr 3, 09 6:47 AM CDT
nothing is much worse than a dirty cop. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Apr 3, 09 9:55 AM CDT
Alberto Gonzales politicizes the DOJ, improperly fires many states Attorney Generals, shits on the Constitution, and lies to Congress -- but a cop on the take really pisses you off, huh? Rif proves, one must turn a mighty blind eye to reality to support the republican party
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Observer
Apr 3, 09 8:31 AM CDT
Big surprise! Let's see - the guy probably makes 60k a year salary. And he makes 50k a week smuggling dope with close associates tax-free. Any more questions? That formula works in every county on the border and with the DEA and ICE agents and the Federal Marshalls and the Bankers and the ranchers along the river and all the other entreprenuers that can access the money. Oh and let's not forget the National Guard and the military that fly choppers into Mexico all the time from Texas and Arizona. Who fooling who? And who's cashing in on all this trade? The cops and border agents that's who. Reply
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riffran
Apr 4, 09 12:14 AM CDT
Ahhh poor Mad..always looking for something to whine about....poorly attempting to denigrate one statement by making an unrelated statement and infusing your party bias in it.......now if the article was about Gonzales, your point might be valid, but since it's about a dirty small town cop helping to smuggle drugs.....your just proving your libral diarrhea of the mouth...and you call republicans "fucking haters " in some of your other comments....ha....no mirrors in your house is there. It's painfully obvious who is the "hater"......go change your diaper Reply
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