BajaNomad - And You Were Afraid To Go To Mexico?

And You Were Afraid To Go To Mexico?

Bajahowodd - 2-25-2009 at 03:24 PM

U.S. arrests 755 in Mexican drug cartel raids
DEA nets Sinaloa suspects in 120 cities; drugs, planes, boats, cars seized

WASHINGTON - Federal agents have rounded up 755 suspects in a wide-ranging crackdown on a Mexican drug cartel operating inside the United States, Attorney General Eric Holder announced Wednesday.

The sweep against the Sinaloa cartel culminated in a series of Drug Enforcement Administration raids overnight and early Wednesday that led to 52 arrests. In recent months, the DEA and other agencies have staged raids in 120 cities across the country that led to the 755 arrests.

"International drug trafficking organizations pose a sustained, serious threat to the safety and security of our communities," Holder said. "As the world grows smaller and international criminals step up their efforts to operate inside our borders, the Department of Justice will confront them head on to keep our communities safe."

The Justice Department said that as part of the 21-month-long investigation, DEA and other federal agents had seized $59 million in U.S. currency; 12,535 kilograms of cocaine; more than 16,000 pounds of marijuana; more than 12 pounds of methamphetamine; approximately 8 kilograms of heroin; approximately 1.3 million pills or 500 pounds of Ecstasy; approximately 120 kilograms of MDMA powder; and more than $6.5 million in other assets, including 149 vehicles, 3 aircraft, 3 maritime vessels and 169 weapons.

"We successfully concluded the largest and hardest hitting operation to ever target the very violent and dangerously powerful Sinaloa drug cartel," said DEA Acting Administrator Michele Leonhart. "From Washington to Maine, we have disrupted this cartel’s domestic operations — arresting U.S. cell heads and stripping them of more than $59 million in cash — and seriously impacted their Canadian drug operations as well.

24baja - 2-25-2009 at 03:30 PM

No, if something is gonna happen to us, it can happen while driving down I-5 in LA, or even at home, not just Baja.

dtbushpilot - 2-25-2009 at 03:53 PM

I'm guessing that security has been beefed up for Michele Leonhart and other top DEA officials in light of the consequences that Mexican police and military officials have suffered at the hands of the cartel hit-men.

I doubt that the cartels recognize international borders when its pay-back time.

This could be the beginning of a new terrorist threat on US soil....lets hope not......dt

DanO - 2-25-2009 at 04:33 PM

Another article here,

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4684&...

with some interesting details about the systemic nature of the problem.

vandenberg - 2-25-2009 at 04:49 PM

I think you made your point :lol:

In triplicate yet. :biggrin:

Woooosh - 2-25-2009 at 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dtbushpilot
I'm guessing that security has been beefed up for Michele Leonhart and other top DEA officials in light of the consequences that Mexican police and military officials have suffered at the hands of the cartel hit-men.

I doubt that the cartels recognize international borders when its pay-back time.

This could be the beginning of a new terrorist threat on US soil....lets hope not......dt

If that ever happened, it would be "game over" for undocumented mexicans stateside and the cartels. The border would be sealed, not just fenced. Ok, that might be going too far- but at least something would happen if they started taking DEA agents out on US soil. It's too bad they print her name, but I think the Sinaloa cartel knows exactly where the line is- they are businessmen, not jihadists. They can't fight the DEA and make the same money at the same time.

I've always wondered how different the drug war in latin america would have looked if columbia was on our border- now maybe we'll find out.

[Edited on 2-26-2009 by Woooosh]

Bajaboy - 2-25-2009 at 05:07 PM

Yes, I'm afraid I can't go to Baja until April and it's peeing me off!

Frank - 2-25-2009 at 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy
Yes, I'm afraid I can't go to Baja until April and it's ******* me off!

Im afraid I cant go until June

dtbushpilot - 2-25-2009 at 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Frank

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy
Yes, I'm afraid I can't go to Baja until April and it's ******* me off!

Im afraid I cant go until June

I'm NOT afraid and I'm going next week.....dt

Bajahowodd - 2-25-2009 at 05:53 PM

I'm not afraid and I'm going to Cabo in June :bounce:

[Edited on 2-26-2009 by Bajahowodd]

24baja - 2-25-2009 at 06:32 PM

24 days until we go.....NO FEAR!

Woooosh - 2-25-2009 at 06:47 PM

NBC Evening News with Brian Williams put the two stories together and ran it in the beginning of tonight's broadcast, before the airliner crash in AMS.

video link

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/29395594#29395594

cantinflas - 2-25-2009 at 07:44 PM

And so whats changed??

Bajahowodd - 2-25-2009 at 08:28 PM

Nada. It's about the reality that there is gang activity throughout the United States, and people aren't cowering in their homes. So why avoid Mexico?

Yep, but in the U.S., I can legally possess and carry a weapon

beercan - 2-25-2009 at 09:09 PM

should have a better chance of prevention.

Quote:

by 24 baja
No, if something is gonna happen to us, it can happen while driving down I-5 in LA, or even at home, not just Baja.

Bajahowodd - 2-25-2009 at 11:59 PM

Too bad for the rest of us.

gang activity in gringland

nancyinpdx - 2-26-2009 at 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Nada. It's about the reality that there is gang activity throughout the United States, and people aren't cowering in their homes. So why avoid Mexico?

I agree 1000%. Good post.

MSNBC Report 2/25 & 2/26

djh - 2-26-2009 at 10:23 AM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29389404/

I watched a clip on MSNBC TV news this morning, and then read this on the MSNBC website. Quite a bit of coverage...

and a video of the news story at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/29395594#29395594

djh

[Edited on 2-26-2009 by djh]

LB - 2-26-2009 at 10:48 AM

I am sitting here watching the Sea of Cortez and the peaceful dolphins....don't
feel scared at all, rather peaceful!! :bounce:

SCARED ?

djh - 2-26-2009 at 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LB
I am sitting here watching the Sea of Cortez and the peaceful dolphins....don't
feel scared at all, rather peaceful!! :bounce:

I agree, LB. I've never felt scared in Baja. Still, I try to be aware of the growing cancer..... I will continue to own in Baja, travel to Baja, and love Baja, and my treasured friends there.

Jan 08, I did have what I'd now consider a close call.... Some of you know... I was followed by, what I quickly decided was, a FAKE police car... Large American built tuna-boat, no police signs on doors, etc., magnetic type flashing light on the top (drivers' side)... When I slowed down and looked carefully, and also saw the two men inside were wearing what looked like T shirts, I put the pedal to the metal and left them far behind. (I did call to report it in hopes of preventing someone else being scammed - or worse...).

Anyway, staying informed and alert is important.... more important than fear.

Baja&Back - 2-27-2009 at 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I'm not afraid and I'm going to Cabo in June :bounce:

I'm not afraid and I'm going to Cabo today! :bounce:

(with lunch at Hotel California in TS!)

mexico Prez hopes to quell drug violence by 2012

desertcpl - 2-27-2009 at 09:43 AM

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_MEXICO_DRUG_BATTLE...

dianaji - 2-27-2009 at 09:55 AM

"Don't let the fear stop you!"

"Being safe is a dangerous place to be"

I will be in blessed baja in a couple of weeks...looking for more tacos, empadas, and a place to plug in my puter...wouldn't want to miss this forum for sure!

diana :biggrin:

Woooosh - 2-27-2009 at 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by desertcpl
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_MEXICO_DRUG_BATTLE...

Is that when his term ends?

Bajahowodd - 2-27-2009 at 11:18 AM

Think you're right. It'll matter a great deal for his party; if not for him, personally.