Note: "It was such (a) heavy firefight that police were actually calling for reinforcements . . . and asking for ammunition from the American side," said Wells.
Mexican drug wars may cross into Ariz.
Police warn lawmakers about cartel gunbattles
by Dennis Wagner - Feb. 24, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Violence involving Mexican narcotics cartels threatens to bleed across the border into Arizona and other states already coping with an epidemic of drug-related murders and kidnappings, law-enforcement officials told an Arizona Senate subcommittee on Monday.
During their testimony, the experts described recent gunbattles just south of the border where Mexican gangs fought rival cartels as well as police, blasting away with machine guns and lobbing hand grenades.
"This is organized crime," said Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard. "The enemy we are combating is extremely well organized, extremely disciplined and extremely well trained."
Goddard joined federal, state and local police leaders in a state Judiciary Committee session convened to evaluate the effects and perils of border-related violence.
Smugglers have used Arizona's mostly isolated border to funnel drugs and humans during the past five years. But the state's southern neighbor, Sonora, is emerging as a new battleground in the power struggles among cartels and police.
Dan Wells, Intelligence Bureau commander at the state Department of Public Safety, listed a series of brazen gunfights just below the border during the past two years:
• In April 2007, 70 paramilitary enforcers known as Los Zetas, working for the Gulf Cartel, attacked a police station in Cananea, leaving 22 dead, including five officers. Afterward, about 40 percent of the local police force resigned.
• In October 2008, a convoy of Los Zetas was intercepted in Nogales by Sonoran state police. Ten gangsters were killed and three officers wounded during the shootout.
• On Nov. 1, 2008, armed gunmen attacked the police station in Nogales. The next day, the state police commander was assassinated by a sniper during an ambush outside a hotel. Then, on Nov. 3, police exchanged fire for three hours with gang members.
"It was such (a) heavy firefight that police were actually calling for reinforcements . . . and asking for ammunition from the American side," said Wells.
Law-enforcement officials took turns explaining the link between Mexico's drug conflicts and crime in the United States. The gist of their testimony is an old story: Drugs and immigrants are smuggled north; cash and guns are moved south.
But the officials said bloodshed that historically has been confined to Mexico is escalating and migrating. Phoenix now ranks second in the world in kidnappings for ransom, behind Mexico City. In 2008, Phoenix reported 366 abductions, mostly tied to Mexican human smugglers and narcotics gangs.
"The violence associated with drug cartels is also reaching into Arizona," Wells said. "This is a new and rising phenomenon that is very alarming."
During Monday's hearing, law officers described how various task forces strive to combat the crime wave and mentioned the importance of funding, but offered no novel solutions.
The Legislature is expected to consider several related bills this year. One would make it a felony to harbor or conceal illegal immigrants; another would impose more severe penalties on smugglers who use or threaten violence.
Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, used the forum to criticize former Gov. Janet Napolitano, now the nation's Homeland Security director, saying she does not seem to appreciate the danger. And during a recess, he complained that Napolitano "did nothing" as governor to combat border-related crime. He subsequently acknowledged that she had declared a state of emergency, pressed for more enforcement funding and beefed up DPS crime-fighting along the border.
Outside the hearing, Goddard noted that Napolitano prosecuted countless violent drug violators as the former attorney general and U.S. attorney for Arizona.
"She mobilized the National Guard along the . . . border," he added, responding to Pearce's comments. "Excuse me, but that shows some understanding that we're in an armed confrontation."
Goddard said the U.S. has not experienced the open gunbattles seen in Mexico because the cartels have sought to avoid violence on the U.S. side of the border.
"But, frankly, I'm not sure they're going to be able to stop it," he said. "The fight between cartels is to dominate certain drug-smuggling corridors, but those exist on the north side of the border as well as the south."
Friday, October 14, 2011
AZMEX MATAS POLICIAS 23-2-2009
AZMEX MATASPOLICIAS 23 FEB 2009
Note: would suspect it was rifles, not pistols
Narcos increase arms purchases cop killers
February 23, 2009 04:51 The Universal / The Journal of Sonora
According to Newell, the Gulf cartel and the Pacific (Sinalos) are the leading consumers of weapons.
U.S. warn of possible attacks against Mexican officials due to increased sales of firearms capable of penatrating armored vehicles
City of Mexico.
The U.S. official William D. Newell warned of possible attacks by organized crime against senior officials in Mexico due to increased sales of firearms capable of passing armored vehicles.
According to the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Snuff, Firearms and Explosives (ATF, for its acronym in English) in Phoenix, Arizona, has grown markedly marketing 50 caliber pistols, known as "cop killer".
In conference at U.S. Embassy in Mexico, said that since the start of the Gunrunner project in April 2005, the number of arrests for arms trafficking has increased 450 percent.
He explained that in 2008 the agency in charge of investigations carried out 202 investigations that resulted in the arrest of 300 individuals involved in that crime.
Between October 2008 and 17 Feb. 230 inquiries were initiated which resulted in the seizure of more than 400 weapons and thousands of cartridges intended to be sold illegally in Mexico.
According to the official in Arizona, unusual increase in the sale of 50 caliber pistols, so it is likely to initiate attacks on organized crime leaders of criminal groups or senior officials.
The weapons mentioned has enough power to pass some light armor vehicles and bulletproof vests that are used in these areas, he added.
Of all firearms investigations initiated by the ATF, half were at the request of the Attorney General's Office (PGR), which requested the tracking of weapons confiscated in Mexico, explained the head of the ATF in Phoenix.
He said the main points of entry of arms from the American Union towards Mexico are Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Nogales, Naco and Agua Prieta, Sonora, and Tijuana, Baja California.
According to Newell, the Gulf cartel and the Pacific are the leading consumers of weapons.
Narcos aumentan compra de armas matapolicías
23 February, 2009 04:51 El Universal/El Diario de Sonora
Tamaño de la fuente:
Según Newell, los cárteles del Golfo y del Pacífico son los principales demandantes de armamento.
Alertan en Estados Unidos sobre posibles ataques contra altos funcionarios mexicanos debido al incremento en la venta de armas de fuego capaces de traspasar los vehículos blindados
Ciudad de México.
El funcionario estadunidense William D. Newell alertó sobre posibles ataques del crimen organizado en México contra altos funcionarios debido al incremento en la venta de armas de fuego capaces de traspasar los vehículos blindados.
De acuerdo con el director de la Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF, por sus siglas en inglés) , en Phoenix, Arizona, ha crecido notoriamente la comercialización de pistolas calibre 50, conocidas como "matapolicías".
En conferencia en la Embajada de Estados Unidos en México, refirió que desde la entrada en vigor del proyecto Gunrunner, en abril de 2005, el número de arrestos por tráfico de armas se incrementó 450 por ciento.
Detalló que durante 2008 el organismo a su cargo llevó a cabo 202 investigaciones que derivaron en la detención de 300 sujetos implicados en ese delito.
Entre octubre de 2008 y el 17 de febrero pasado se iniciaron 230 indagatorias que dieron como resultado el decomiso de más de 400 armas y miles de cartuchos que pretendían comercializarse ilegalmente en México, describió.
De acuerdo con el funcionario de Arizona, es inusual el aumento en la venta de pistolas calibre 50, por lo que es probable que el crimen organizado emprenda ataques contra los líderes de los grupos delictivos o funcionarios de alto rango.
El armamento referido tiene la potencia suficiente para traspasar algunos blindajes ligeros de vehículos, así como los chalecos antibalas que se utilizan en esas esferas, añadió.
Del total de investigaciones sobre armas de fuego iniciadas por la ATF, la mitad fueron a petición de la Procuraduría General de la República (PGR) , que solicitó el rastreo de artefactos decomisados en territorio mexicano, expuso el titular de la ATF en Phoenix.
Indicó que los principales puntos de entrada de armas desde la Unión Americana hacia México son Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo y Reynosa, Tamaulipas; Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua; Nogales, Naco y Agua Prieta, Sonora, así como Tijuana, Baja California.
Según Newell, los cárteles del Golfo y del Pacífico son los principales demandantes de armamento.
Note: would suspect it was rifles, not pistols
Narcos increase arms purchases cop killers
February 23, 2009 04:51 The Universal / The Journal of Sonora
According to Newell, the Gulf cartel and the Pacific (Sinalos) are the leading consumers of weapons.
U.S. warn of possible attacks against Mexican officials due to increased sales of firearms capable of penatrating armored vehicles
City of Mexico.
The U.S. official William D. Newell warned of possible attacks by organized crime against senior officials in Mexico due to increased sales of firearms capable of passing armored vehicles.
According to the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Snuff, Firearms and Explosives (ATF, for its acronym in English) in Phoenix, Arizona, has grown markedly marketing 50 caliber pistols, known as "cop killer".
In conference at U.S. Embassy in Mexico, said that since the start of the Gunrunner project in April 2005, the number of arrests for arms trafficking has increased 450 percent.
He explained that in 2008 the agency in charge of investigations carried out 202 investigations that resulted in the arrest of 300 individuals involved in that crime.
Between October 2008 and 17 Feb. 230 inquiries were initiated which resulted in the seizure of more than 400 weapons and thousands of cartridges intended to be sold illegally in Mexico.
According to the official in Arizona, unusual increase in the sale of 50 caliber pistols, so it is likely to initiate attacks on organized crime leaders of criminal groups or senior officials.
The weapons mentioned has enough power to pass some light armor vehicles and bulletproof vests that are used in these areas, he added.
Of all firearms investigations initiated by the ATF, half were at the request of the Attorney General's Office (PGR), which requested the tracking of weapons confiscated in Mexico, explained the head of the ATF in Phoenix.
He said the main points of entry of arms from the American Union towards Mexico are Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Nogales, Naco and Agua Prieta, Sonora, and Tijuana, Baja California.
According to Newell, the Gulf cartel and the Pacific are the leading consumers of weapons.
Narcos aumentan compra de armas matapolicías
23 February, 2009 04:51 El Universal/El Diario de Sonora
Tamaño de la fuente:
Según Newell, los cárteles del Golfo y del Pacífico son los principales demandantes de armamento.
Alertan en Estados Unidos sobre posibles ataques contra altos funcionarios mexicanos debido al incremento en la venta de armas de fuego capaces de traspasar los vehículos blindados
Ciudad de México.
El funcionario estadunidense William D. Newell alertó sobre posibles ataques del crimen organizado en México contra altos funcionarios debido al incremento en la venta de armas de fuego capaces de traspasar los vehículos blindados.
De acuerdo con el director de la Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF, por sus siglas en inglés) , en Phoenix, Arizona, ha crecido notoriamente la comercialización de pistolas calibre 50, conocidas como "matapolicías".
En conferencia en la Embajada de Estados Unidos en México, refirió que desde la entrada en vigor del proyecto Gunrunner, en abril de 2005, el número de arrestos por tráfico de armas se incrementó 450 por ciento.
Detalló que durante 2008 el organismo a su cargo llevó a cabo 202 investigaciones que derivaron en la detención de 300 sujetos implicados en ese delito.
Entre octubre de 2008 y el 17 de febrero pasado se iniciaron 230 indagatorias que dieron como resultado el decomiso de más de 400 armas y miles de cartuchos que pretendían comercializarse ilegalmente en México, describió.
De acuerdo con el funcionario de Arizona, es inusual el aumento en la venta de pistolas calibre 50, por lo que es probable que el crimen organizado emprenda ataques contra los líderes de los grupos delictivos o funcionarios de alto rango.
El armamento referido tiene la potencia suficiente para traspasar algunos blindajes ligeros de vehículos, así como los chalecos antibalas que se utilizan en esas esferas, añadió.
Del total de investigaciones sobre armas de fuego iniciadas por la ATF, la mitad fueron a petición de la Procuraduría General de la República (PGR) , que solicitó el rastreo de artefactos decomisados en territorio mexicano, expuso el titular de la ATF en Phoenix.
Indicó que los principales puntos de entrada de armas desde la Unión Americana hacia México son Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo y Reynosa, Tamaulipas; Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua; Nogales, Naco y Agua Prieta, Sonora, así como Tijuana, Baja California.
Según Newell, los cárteles del Golfo y del Pacífico son los principales demandantes de armamento.
AZMEX CORRUPTION 19-2-2009
AZMEX CORRUPTION 19 FEB 2009
Richardson: Law enforcement circus continues
Comments 7 | Recommend 2
BILL RICHARDSON, COMMENTARY
February 19, 2009 - 9:48PM
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Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and children of all ages, once again it's show time.
Performing for your entertainment this week is the renowned TAG Team of Thomas, Arpaio and Goddard. Once again we're going to be treated to the state's master showmen of elected law enforcement officials.
The first act was Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who started the week's entertainment by rounding up "deadbeat dads" on Valentine's Day. Joe stole for show. The sheriff gave us the same old schtick, including his world-renowned growling for the camera, as he showed off another catch of low-hanging fruit chained up in pink handcuffs. If you're easy to find and arrest, he'll track you down and parade you around like you're Charles Manson, even if your charged with a cracked windshield.
Not to be outdone, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, who wants to be governor, dragged out his signature cause of cold pills and meth in an attempt to hog Joe's limelight. Even though meth is now controlled by the Mexican drug cartels and local lab seizures are down from more than 200 in 2002 to less than a dozen in 2007, Goddard is out beating that same old cold pill drum for the crowds.
If Goddard chose to, he could easily lead the reform of Arizona's outdated and inefficient statewide law enforcement system and attack organized crime. Instead he follows Arpaio's example of picking the easy ones that make for good sound bytes and pretty pictures.
And bringing up the rear is Arpaio groupie and another governor wannabe, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
Thomas also never misses an opportunity to get media attention. The politically ambitious lawyer announced that he has decided the victimization of elderly citizens deserves the attention of his office. He's just figured that out?
Unfortunately for Thomas, the attorney general's office has for decades taken the point on these types of difficult, costly and lengthy prosecutions. Arpaio's dutiful sidekick and legal muscle may want to bite the bullet and pass off the prosecution of elder abusers to the pros and stick to going after the minnows that's he's shown a real vocation for. For all the tough talk and macho bravado, Thomas doesn't worry the sharks in the sea.
While the TAG Team was jockeying for local headlines to promote their own agendas, the Los Angeles Times ran another story as part of their series on the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime gangs that are destroying Mexico and spreading though the United States. The Feb. 12 story was titled "Phoenix, kidnap-for-ransom capital," more national and international recognition of Arizona's steady decline.
According to the Times, there were 366 reported kidnappings in Phoenix alone in 2008. The word "reported" is key because just like with sexual assaults, many more go unreported. And while there are those who will beat the anti-immigrant drum and blame the problems on undocumented aliens, kidnappers from around the world target anyone with the ability to pay a ransom. Kidnappings might soon be coming to a neighborhood near you. They may already be there and you just don't know it. Mexico is only 90 minutes away.
Kidnappings are used by organized crime to get cash and instill fear.
The Times also reported that Arizona has become the new drug gateway into the United States. Maricopa County has long been a major transshipment point for drugs from Mexico. Sadly, the TAG Team's show only distracts the public from the real threat of organized crime that the U.S. Justice Department reports is responsible for 80 percent of the crime in America.
Organized crime has only prospered under the Tag Team's rule. Instead of fixing what's broken and doing the jobs the public voted them into office to do, our elected law and order watch dogs are continually groveling for free publicity to satisfy their political ambition and insatiable quest for attention.
If you want protection, buy a gun and get a dog because the TAG Team is primping for their next media appearance.
Retired Mesa master police officer Bill Richardson lives in the East Valley and can be reached at bill.richardson@cox.net.
Publication: Tribune 2003-Current; Date: Jan 6, 2006; Section: East Valley Opinion; Page: 34
PUBLIC CORRUPTION
- Will mordida put bite on Arizona?
Scale of bribes with which drug cartels can tempt officials is cause for concern
- Retired Mesa master police officer Bill Richardson lives in the East Valley and can be reached at bill.richardson@ cox.net.
La mordida (the bite, or squeeze) — bribery reaching into the highest levels of government.
It’s what has allowed the Mexican drug cartels to grow into multi-billion-dollar a year businesses that control much of the hemisphere south of the US. border. It’s a way of life in Mexico.
The recent arrests in Arizona of fifty U.S. officials by the FBI on corruption charges are cause for very serious concern. An explosive wave of organized crime and corruption is coming to America, and as usual our elected leaders seem to be “stuck on stupid.”
“Build the fence, don’t build the fence.” Maybe 25 years ago a fence would have kept the illegals out. By the time the U.S. government could even get enough American citizens to work on such a massive project most of Mexico will have already been living here, happily and illegally.
And what about all of the political posturing by Gov. Janet Napolitano, Attorney General Terry Goddard, Valley mayors, city councils and law enforcement officials over controlling cold medicine in a purported effort to control methamphetamine production? Maybe a good move decades ago, but more than 90 percent of the meth in the U.S. is now manufactured in Mexican “super labs” with shiploads of chemicals from China. Mexico can surely produce all of the meth the U.S. demands.
Arizona politicians are always a day late and dollar short, unless it comes to their political war chests. For most politicians, who wouldn’t know an illegal from a legal, or meth from heroin, it’s all about the “M” word. They constantly yell “Meth” and “Mexicans” to get Media attention and Money.
Will mordida become one of Arizona’s favorite “M” words? The ongoing FBI investigation into corruption is directly related to the drug trafficking and organized crime that are also a big part of Arizona’s booming economy.
The 50 the FBI has arrested so far have been lowlevel crooks who transported small loads of narcotics and sold drivers licenses. These little fish were easy prey. One old-time cop said catching these mopes is easier than fishing with hand grenades at a trout farm.
In the early ’80s, the FBI’s Operation Greylord used similar tactics in a narcoticsbased investigation of official corruption in Chicago. Greylord targeted and caught the big boys in the public corruption food chain who had sweeping powers to compromise the integrity of much of the system. That’s a far cry from the flunkies who have been arrested so far in the ongoing corruption investigation.
Hopefully the FBI is looking a little higher up in government, as they did in Chicago. The Mexican drug cartels are making billions of dollars every year and have a very successful record of corrupting people at the highest levels of government and business throughout Latin America.
Judging on state and federal history, some of our own politicians, high-ranking law enforcement officials, judges, lawyers and their political operatives have taken their fair share of mordida. It’s been 15 years since the Phoenix police and Maricopa County Attorney’s Office conducted the AzScam investigation into corrupt officials who took payoffs to help organized crime.
The AzScam investigation targeted and captured many at the highest levels of Arizona government. It wasn’t that hard to get some of the state’s most trusted leaders to take what they thought was the mob’s blood money. Some AzScam crooks went to jail; others snitched and some walked away scot-free. It was the last investigation that targeted Arizona’s power brokers who were suspected of selling out.
Those who want to compromise our system of laws today could offer mordida in the hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of dollars, not the few thousand or a couple hundred that changed hands during AzScam.
The threat of public corruption by Mexican drug cartels won’t stop at the border no matter how tall the fence is or how many border patrolmen there are. The only stop the cartels will make is to drop off the cash to ensure nothing interferes with their business and growing profits. While politicians and law enforcement officials try to give the appearance of action and leadership on emotional issues, you have to wonder if official corruption and la mordida are slowly becoming a way of life in Arizona.
The FBI won’t be able to stop it alone. One mobbusting FBI agent said vice has been around forever. It’ll never go away.
The real evil is the money it can generate to enable the corruption of public officials.
Richardson: Law enforcement circus continues
Comments 7 | Recommend 2
BILL RICHARDSON, COMMENTARY
February 19, 2009 - 9:48PM
DIGG| SAVE| PRINT| E-MAIL|
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and children of all ages, once again it's show time.
Performing for your entertainment this week is the renowned TAG Team of Thomas, Arpaio and Goddard. Once again we're going to be treated to the state's master showmen of elected law enforcement officials.
The first act was Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who started the week's entertainment by rounding up "deadbeat dads" on Valentine's Day. Joe stole for show. The sheriff gave us the same old schtick, including his world-renowned growling for the camera, as he showed off another catch of low-hanging fruit chained up in pink handcuffs. If you're easy to find and arrest, he'll track you down and parade you around like you're Charles Manson, even if your charged with a cracked windshield.
Not to be outdone, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, who wants to be governor, dragged out his signature cause of cold pills and meth in an attempt to hog Joe's limelight. Even though meth is now controlled by the Mexican drug cartels and local lab seizures are down from more than 200 in 2002 to less than a dozen in 2007, Goddard is out beating that same old cold pill drum for the crowds.
If Goddard chose to, he could easily lead the reform of Arizona's outdated and inefficient statewide law enforcement system and attack organized crime. Instead he follows Arpaio's example of picking the easy ones that make for good sound bytes and pretty pictures.
And bringing up the rear is Arpaio groupie and another governor wannabe, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
Thomas also never misses an opportunity to get media attention. The politically ambitious lawyer announced that he has decided the victimization of elderly citizens deserves the attention of his office. He's just figured that out?
Unfortunately for Thomas, the attorney general's office has for decades taken the point on these types of difficult, costly and lengthy prosecutions. Arpaio's dutiful sidekick and legal muscle may want to bite the bullet and pass off the prosecution of elder abusers to the pros and stick to going after the minnows that's he's shown a real vocation for. For all the tough talk and macho bravado, Thomas doesn't worry the sharks in the sea.
While the TAG Team was jockeying for local headlines to promote their own agendas, the Los Angeles Times ran another story as part of their series on the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime gangs that are destroying Mexico and spreading though the United States. The Feb. 12 story was titled "Phoenix, kidnap-for-ransom capital," more national and international recognition of Arizona's steady decline.
According to the Times, there were 366 reported kidnappings in Phoenix alone in 2008. The word "reported" is key because just like with sexual assaults, many more go unreported. And while there are those who will beat the anti-immigrant drum and blame the problems on undocumented aliens, kidnappers from around the world target anyone with the ability to pay a ransom. Kidnappings might soon be coming to a neighborhood near you. They may already be there and you just don't know it. Mexico is only 90 minutes away.
Kidnappings are used by organized crime to get cash and instill fear.
The Times also reported that Arizona has become the new drug gateway into the United States. Maricopa County has long been a major transshipment point for drugs from Mexico. Sadly, the TAG Team's show only distracts the public from the real threat of organized crime that the U.S. Justice Department reports is responsible for 80 percent of the crime in America.
Organized crime has only prospered under the Tag Team's rule. Instead of fixing what's broken and doing the jobs the public voted them into office to do, our elected law and order watch dogs are continually groveling for free publicity to satisfy their political ambition and insatiable quest for attention.
If you want protection, buy a gun and get a dog because the TAG Team is primping for their next media appearance.
Retired Mesa master police officer Bill Richardson lives in the East Valley and can be reached at bill.richardson@cox.net.
Publication: Tribune 2003-Current; Date: Jan 6, 2006; Section: East Valley Opinion; Page: 34
PUBLIC CORRUPTION
- Will mordida put bite on Arizona?
Scale of bribes with which drug cartels can tempt officials is cause for concern
- Retired Mesa master police officer Bill Richardson lives in the East Valley and can be reached at bill.richardson@ cox.net.
La mordida (the bite, or squeeze) — bribery reaching into the highest levels of government.
It’s what has allowed the Mexican drug cartels to grow into multi-billion-dollar a year businesses that control much of the hemisphere south of the US. border. It’s a way of life in Mexico.
The recent arrests in Arizona of fifty U.S. officials by the FBI on corruption charges are cause for very serious concern. An explosive wave of organized crime and corruption is coming to America, and as usual our elected leaders seem to be “stuck on stupid.”
“Build the fence, don’t build the fence.” Maybe 25 years ago a fence would have kept the illegals out. By the time the U.S. government could even get enough American citizens to work on such a massive project most of Mexico will have already been living here, happily and illegally.
And what about all of the political posturing by Gov. Janet Napolitano, Attorney General Terry Goddard, Valley mayors, city councils and law enforcement officials over controlling cold medicine in a purported effort to control methamphetamine production? Maybe a good move decades ago, but more than 90 percent of the meth in the U.S. is now manufactured in Mexican “super labs” with shiploads of chemicals from China. Mexico can surely produce all of the meth the U.S. demands.
Arizona politicians are always a day late and dollar short, unless it comes to their political war chests. For most politicians, who wouldn’t know an illegal from a legal, or meth from heroin, it’s all about the “M” word. They constantly yell “Meth” and “Mexicans” to get Media attention and Money.
Will mordida become one of Arizona’s favorite “M” words? The ongoing FBI investigation into corruption is directly related to the drug trafficking and organized crime that are also a big part of Arizona’s booming economy.
The 50 the FBI has arrested so far have been lowlevel crooks who transported small loads of narcotics and sold drivers licenses. These little fish were easy prey. One old-time cop said catching these mopes is easier than fishing with hand grenades at a trout farm.
In the early ’80s, the FBI’s Operation Greylord used similar tactics in a narcoticsbased investigation of official corruption in Chicago. Greylord targeted and caught the big boys in the public corruption food chain who had sweeping powers to compromise the integrity of much of the system. That’s a far cry from the flunkies who have been arrested so far in the ongoing corruption investigation.
Hopefully the FBI is looking a little higher up in government, as they did in Chicago. The Mexican drug cartels are making billions of dollars every year and have a very successful record of corrupting people at the highest levels of government and business throughout Latin America.
Judging on state and federal history, some of our own politicians, high-ranking law enforcement officials, judges, lawyers and their political operatives have taken their fair share of mordida. It’s been 15 years since the Phoenix police and Maricopa County Attorney’s Office conducted the AzScam investigation into corrupt officials who took payoffs to help organized crime.
The AzScam investigation targeted and captured many at the highest levels of Arizona government. It wasn’t that hard to get some of the state’s most trusted leaders to take what they thought was the mob’s blood money. Some AzScam crooks went to jail; others snitched and some walked away scot-free. It was the last investigation that targeted Arizona’s power brokers who were suspected of selling out.
Those who want to compromise our system of laws today could offer mordida in the hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of dollars, not the few thousand or a couple hundred that changed hands during AzScam.
The threat of public corruption by Mexican drug cartels won’t stop at the border no matter how tall the fence is or how many border patrolmen there are. The only stop the cartels will make is to drop off the cash to ensure nothing interferes with their business and growing profits. While politicians and law enforcement officials try to give the appearance of action and leadership on emotional issues, you have to wonder if official corruption and la mordida are slowly becoming a way of life in Arizona.
The FBI won’t be able to stop it alone. One mobbusting FBI agent said vice has been around forever. It’ll never go away.
The real evil is the money it can generate to enable the corruption of public officials.
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