Thread: Abandoned Horses Are Latest Toll of Drug Trade

Abandoned Horses Are Latest Toll of Drug Trade

By MARC LACEY
Published: December 30, 2010

PHOENIX — Found tottering alone in the desert with their ribs visible and their heads hung low, horses play a backbreaking, unappreciated role in the multibillion-dollar drug smuggling industry.

Mexican traffickers strap heavy bales of marijuana or other illegal drugs to the horses’ backs and march them north through mountain passes and across rough desert terrain. With little food and water, some collapse under their heavy loads. Others are turned loose when the contraband gets far enough into Arizona to be loaded into vehicles with more horsepower.

“We would pick up 15 to 20 horses a month, and many more of the animals would get past us,â€

ahhhh diversity...gotta love it!

I wonder what these rescuers think of illegals and amnesty. Given what they have seen these animals thru - I'd be curious to know.

Nice of the cartels to supply free horses to U.S. law enforcement.

How sad for the horses, the drug cartels are sub human to do this to such intelligent and beautiful creatures.

I might forward this story to some OBL group---from the original source that is. Heck, it could even fit in with a local blog I contribute to: PortlandTransport, since this has to do with transportation of a sort. Drug consumption, battered horses, expensive rescue efforts, more taxpayer costs. Progressive ideas sure are great!