Expert Finds No Evidence Connecting Drug Traffickers, Human Smugglers

Dr. Gabriella Sanchez, Senior Researcher at the University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), said that in a case study involving 66 known human smugglers in Arizona, she found almost no evidence connecting violent organized crime or drug trafficking to human smuggling. (0:45)

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Sen. Durbin (D-Ill.): 2000 guns cross US-Mexico border every day

Senator Durbin references a Brookings Institute study which found 2000 guns travel from the United States into Mexico every day, fueling violence among drug cartels. He believes that additional measures must be taken to address the problem. (00:26)
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Diaz: Traffickers use stream of ants

by Christina Lovato, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Today at a Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing Tom Diaz, the Senior Policy Analyst at the Violence Policy Center expressed how the United States should stop the drug and weapon trafficking with Mexico. (00:36)
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Mexican Ambassador cites 'record seizures' of drugs

At a discussion on the Merida Initiative, Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Arturo Sarukhan says that there have been record seizures of drugs in the last year alone. Sarukhan says that in 2007, 57.3 tonnes of cocaine were seized. In addition, Sarukhan notes that the $206.5 million seized was the biggest cash seizure in the world. The Merida Initiative has the aim of combating the threats of drug trafficking and transnational crimes. (1:01)
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Mexican police force cracks down on smugglers, but violence continues

At the Merida Initiative hearing, Mark E. Souder (D-Ind.) discusses the tremendous accomplishments of the Mexican government in combating illegal drug trafficking across borders. Although there have been successes, the smugglers have adapted to government efforts and continue to fight. (1:15)
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