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Mexican Heroin Seeps Into Rural US

Mexican cartels push the drug into the heartland

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted May 31, 2009 11:29 AM CDT
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(Newser) – As the battle between drug cartels and law enforcement rages in Mexico, traffickers are gaining footholds in America's Heartland. Ohio saw heroin-related deaths spread into 18 new counties between 2004 and 2007, just one indication that dealers aren't limited to big cities. "It's like going to pick up beer," a former user tells the New York Times.

Despite a crackdown in Mexico, the export of potent black-tar heroin has grown. Some pushers are illegal immigrants frustrated at the difficulties in finding a job; others are hand-picked by Mexican cartels and smuggled into the country. The constant stream of new dispatchers and runners makes clearing up local cells "like sweeping sunshine off the roof," says a DEA employee.

Police officials guard an armored truck holding cartel detainees during a news conference at the Federal Police headquarters in Mexico City, Friday, May 29, 2009.
Police officials guard an armored truck holding cartel detainees during a news conference at the Federal Police headquarters in Mexico City, Friday, May 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Army soldiers display seized heroin during an anti-drug operation in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Tuesday, May 13, 2008. The border town is one of many places where drugs enter the US.
Army soldiers display seized heroin during an anti-drug operation in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Tuesday, May 13, 2008. The border town is one of many places where drugs enter the US.   (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
It may be harder to picture drug dealers doing their business outside suburban malls than on gritty city streets, but the trends show that they are.
It may be harder to picture drug dealers doing their business outside suburban malls than on gritty city streets, but the trends show that they are.   (©Mr. Theklan)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
paul123
Jun 1, 2009 1:58 AM CDT
I thought Jack Bauer took care of all this in season three of 24!
JonmarkP
May 31, 2009 9:27 AM CDT
What the Government wants kept out is kept out. You can't buy anything made in Cuba-not a cigar, not a painting, not a pair of pajamas, not so much as a damned pencil. But you can buy illegal drugs on damned near any street corner in America. This is not coincidence, this is big banks and big business at work - through their stooges like Bush and Obama. If we want to change it, we have to get banks and corporations out of politics. But it's too late. We had a constitutional Republic, and we lost it without one shot fired.

Drug war hitting Canada, too
Toronto Star (Canada)

And things are even worse at the source
New York Times

 
drugs • illegal immigrant • Mexico • heroin • drug cartel • drug dealer • heartland

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