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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | June 2005 
Mexico Cracks Down on Organized Crime
 Gregory Alan Gross - Union-Tribune
| | The beefed-up border checks were credited with the seizure of more than $1 million hidden in a van bearing California license plates. |
Tijuana – Motorists are being stopped and questioned at checkpoints manned by heavily armed Mexican soldiers and federal police during a government crackdown on organized crime.
Meanwhile, Mexican federal agents are raiding drug houses in Tijuana and other border cities, seizing quantities of marijuana, heroin and methamphetamine. More than a half-million doses of illegal drugs have been reported seized.
It's part of Operativo Mexico Seguro, Operation Safe Mexico, President Vicente Fox's response to a wave of violence on the streets of Mexican border cities. The operation was announced June 11 in Mexico City.
As of Tuesday, 330 people had been arrested in Baja California for a variety of offenses, according to a news release from the state office of public security. Among them were 10 foreigners, including a Syrian and two Afghans picked up in a Tijuana hotel on unspecified charges.
Federal police units and army troops, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement, had set up checkpoints at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa border crossings, as well as the airport, the central bus terminal and thoroughfares throughout the city, within hours of being flown in from the Mexican capital.
The beefed-up border checks also were credited with the seizure last week of more than $1 million hidden inside the seats of a van bearing California license plates. Two people, an American and a Mexican, were arrested.
Other units raided bars and hotels, as well as drug houses where methamphetamine was being sold, government spokesmen said. |
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