April 17, 2009

Border cooperation is bad news for criminals

By Mariana Martinez

Late Tuesday, Border Patrol agents contacted state police in Tijuana, asking for their help in stopping a kidnapping suspect and his 2 year-old victim, believed to be heading for the border and crossing into Mexico.

Mexican state agents managed to stop 47 year-old Glenn Allen Blake, as he tried to enter Mexico at the San Ysidro port of entry. With him was his small victim, a child he had taken from his Los Angeles home three days before, seeking a $200 thousand dollar ransom for his release.

The child was hungry and dirty, but healthy, and was soon delivered to his parents.

Blake is currently under Mexican custody awaiting extradition for the kidnapping but also being investigated for drug traffic offenses.

Just 24 hours later, a Florida man was arrested in San Diego, accused of prostituting a 17 year old girl, offering her services on Craigslits. His photo was distributed to media on both sides of the border, in hopes of more victims identifying him.

Both cases, as well as the presence of Mexican Marines at the Mexico Gate in Tijuana, are sending a clear signal of binational cooperation and hopes of border integration between law enforcement units for a more secure border, coupled with future screenings of passengers coming North to South.

Until recently, the Border Patrol simply didn’t call, and Mexican authorities just didn’t ask for US counterparts for help, effectively creating a justice void used by criminal organizations, who exploited this void.

“We face international criminal organizations every dayâ€