Pubdate: Thu, 13 Oct 2005
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2005 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.mercurynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390
Author: Abe Levy, Associated Press

US: MEXICO, U.S. PLAN TO FIGHT BORDER VIOLENCE

SAN ANTONIO - Law enforcement from the United States and Mexico have 
formed a partnership aimed at quelling drug-related violence on the border.

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Mexican counterpart Daniel 
Cabeza de Vaca stood side by side Thursday to announce the security plan.

The Violent Crime Impact Team will target the most violent members of 
warring drug cartels. Armed with high-powered weapons, the warring 
cartels have been blamed for more than 140 murders this year alone in 
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

The new partnership will double the current presence of federal law 
enforcement in Laredo and the border, Gonzales said.

There are 22 anti-violence teams operating nationwide. The Laredo 
chapter is the first to meld law enforcement agencies from outside 
the United States.

"In order to have an effective relationship with Mexico, there has to 
be a level of trust," Gonzales said. "That's why operations like this 
are very important."

The plan calls for police agencies to keep working as they have, and 
within their geographical boundaries, but also to increase 
information sharing and be ready to offer support when asked.

Anti-violence teams typically operate for six months and are led by 
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Other 
federal agencies involved include the U.S. Marshals Service; FBI; and 
Drug Enforcement Administration.

Both attorneys general said new cooperation would include sharing 
technology for securing ports of entry, locking down prisons and the 
ability of inmates to send messages to the outside world, and 
engaging in joint training exercises.

"This helps us target specific offenders, the worst of the worst, and 
take them off the streets," said Donnie Carter, special agent in 
charge of the Houston AFT office overseeing the Laredo team.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman