Cartels crumbling in Tijuana

Criminal groups no longer operate effectively, top cop says

Por: Omar Millán 17 Febrero 2011 @ 9:55 pm

TIJUANA – The drug cartels that once ruled parts of the border region have disintegrated to the point where they are no longer able to operate effectively, declared one of the officials most responsible for fighting them in the last few years.

Julián Leyzaola, deputy director of the state’s Department of Public Safety, said that the combined law enforcement efforts of federal, state and municipal governments have greatly reduced the cartels’ ability to bribe public officials to be able to operate freely.

Leyzaola, a retired lieutenant in the Mexican army, directed Tijuana’s municipal police department in 2008 then led its parent agency, the Department of Public Safety, in 2009 and 2010. This year he began a new post, helping craft the state’s strategy to combat organized crime.

In that period, he led an unprecedented campaign against corruption within police ranks. More than 600 officers suspected of working with traffickers resigned or were fired, including 84 who were arrested. A total of 43 officers were murdered under his watch, as well.

“Criminal groups continue to be fragmented. There isn’t a real organization, one group that controls the area because police activity in Tijuana is no longer allowing it,â€