Mexican Drug Cartels Under Attack From Multiple Fronts, Says Border Protection Commissioner

By Laurel Brishel Prichard-University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Alan Bersin defended the progress that the Department of Homeland Security has made in protecting the United States' southwest border and stemming the illegal drug flow from Mexico Wednesday.

“We recognize that the [drug war] is a journey that will not be accomplished over night, but the important point is that it is a journey in which the first steps have been taken,” said Bersin during a hearing before a House Appropriations Subcommittee.

Bersin stressed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) currently have one of the best working relationships that they have ever had with the Mexican government.

The CBP seized nearly 500,000 pounds of drugs in the first six months of FY 2010 and has apprehended more than $8 million in illegal currency between ports of entry, according to Bersin.

“These numbers demonstrate the effectiveness of our layered approach to security, comprised of a balance of tactical infrastructure, technology, and personnel at our borders,” said Bersin.

Rep. David Price (D-NC) argued that not enough has been done to eliminate the drug trade, and pointed out that since the Mexican drug cartels were confronted by their President Felipe Calderon, over 18,000 people, including 79 Americans, have been killed in Mexico.

“The truth is the cartels are engaged in criminal activity everyday in cities and communities on both sides of the border, and not just along the border. We need to focus on meaningful ways to deal with cartels and their violence, on the border and beyond,” said Price.

Bersin argued that with the approval of the FY 2011 budget proposal, which would allow $100 million for increased tactical infrastructure construction and improvements, the CBP and ICE could elevate and continue with the ongoing fight against the violence that threatens the United States southern border.

Napolitano Announces Enhanced Customs Cooperation With Mexico

By Celia Canon

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Mexican Finance Minister Agustin Carstens signed a letter of intent announcing new areas of cooperation on the U.S-Mexican border during a press conference Monday at the Ronald Reagan Center.

In 2007, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had agreed upon a bilateral program that allowed Mexico and the U.S to join forces in order to safeguard trade and combat illegal activity at the border.

Today’s announcement boosted the 2007 Bilateral Strategic Plan by updating agencies' technology, training Mexican officers for Border Patrol service, and preventing criminals from entering Mexico.

Napolitano praised the extension, saying “The U.S is a full partner with Mexico and the Calderon administration as we satisfy our twin goals of a secure border and a resilient border that allows legitimate trade and commerce to pass but that keeps out drugs, that keeps out weapons, keeps out the cash that fuels these cartels and... makes certain that the border is safe and secure for those who live there.”

Carstens reflected on the importance of this fundamental cooperation for the completion of both Mexican and American interests.

“We both acknowledge that...our joint efforts will translate into more secure and competitive North America,” said Carstens.

The 2007 initiative has already been met with considerable success.

“We have seized [three times] the amount of arms, we’ve seized 50% more drugs,” said Napolitano.

Today at Talk Radio News Service

The Washington Bureau will cover an Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on "Accountability Lapses in Multiple Funds for Iraq," a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Hearing on "Retail Price of Gas and Competition in the Oil Industry," and a subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee on "The Border Security Challenge: Recent Developments and Legislative Proposals." A correspondent will also cover a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing on "Seniors at Risk: Improving Medicare for Our Most Vulnerable." Later, the Washington Bureau will cover a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and House Financial Services Committee joint hearing on how the mortgage crisis afflicts neighborhoods, as well as a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on how to provide legal assistance to low-income Americans.

Pentagon Correspondent Meredith MacKenzie will attend a pen and pad briefing with the Senate Leadership, including Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), as well as a press conference with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Correspondent Dawn Jones will cover a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the nominations of Gen. David Petraeus "for reappointment to the grade of general and to be commander of the United States Central Command," and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno "for appointment to the grade of general and to be commander of the Multi-National Force-Iraq."