Mexico's Counter-Narcotics Efforts under Fox, December 2000 to April 2002

Publication Date: May 2002

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Social conditions

Type:

Coverage: Mexico

Abstract:

This report provides information on Mexico's counter-narcotics efforts during the first year and a few months of the presidency of Vicente Fox (December 1, 2000, to April 30, 2002), with special emphasis on calendar year 2001, covered by the State Department's report on international narcotics control.

Share of Traffic. According to the State Department, Mexico is the transit point for "more than one half of the cocaine sold in the United States," which seems to be a slightly lower estimate than in past years. Mexico remains a major source country for heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine, and a major center for money laundering activities.

Control Efforts. According to the State Department's latest report, seizures of cocaine by Mexico in 2001 were up 61% from 2000, and up 11% from the average yearly seizures in the previous five years (1996-2000). Seizures of opium were up 78% from 2000, and up 34% from the average of the 1996-2000 period. Seizures of marijuana were up 24% from 2000, and up 62% from the average in the previous five years. Seizures of heroin were down somewhat compared to 2000, but were slightly higher than in the previous five years. Seizures of methamphetamine and drug labs were down compared to 2000, but up compared to the 1996-2000 average. Arrests were down in all categories in 2001, but there have been major actions against leading drug lords, such as the killing of one brother and the arrest of another brother leading the Arellano Felix Organization, the arrest of a former Governor for facilitating trafficking activities of the Carrillo Fuentes Organization, and the arrests of key leaders in the Gulf Cartel, the Amezcua-Contreras Organization, and the Caro Quintero Organization. Mexico extradited 17 persons to the United States in 2001, including 11 Mexican nationals, on drug-related charges, although a Mexican Supreme Court decision in October 2001 essentially banned extradition for suspects facing life imprisonment. Eradication of opium and marijuana increased somewhat in 2001, but with more hectares of cultivation, the potential yield of opium was up 163% over 2000 and up 19% from the previous five years, while the potential yield of marijuana was up 6% from 2000 but down 13% from the 1996-2000 average.

Cooperative Efforts. President Bush and President Fox have met many times and have made the bilateral relationship a top priority. In these meetings, they have agreed to enhance law enforcement and counter-narcotics cooperation between the two countries, and President Fox has called for reform of the U.S. drug certification process. Top officials say that the climate of cooperation within the bilateral law enforcement and military communities has improved dramatically under Presidents Bush and Fox, and includes the sharing of sensitive intelligence and expanded training for Mexican anti-drug forces. Officials point to joint successes against major trafficking organizations operating within both countries.