Invasion USA: Congressman Calls for Hearing on Border Violence

Posted in: Jim Kouri
By Jim Kouri
Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 9:08:18 AM ET

Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today called on House Democrats to hold a hearing on the surge in drug-related violence on the U.S.-Mexico border. The violence is attributed to Mexican drug cartels, fighting turf battles and competing to control the U.S. drug trade markets.

In a letter to Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.), Smith cited reports from Wall Street Journal and USA Today that Mexican gangs are operating organized crime rings in at least 230 U.S. cities.

Ranking Member Smith issued the following statement along with his letter:

“The recent surge in drug-related violence on the Southwest border has turned some American communities and neighborhoods into the ‘wild west.’ Drug traffickers battling for an increased share in the U.S.-Mexico drug trade market are resorting to far more violent and deadly acts.

“According to national news reports, this violence resulted in the deaths of at least 9,000 people since 2007. A battle is building on the border and U.S. citizens are getting caught in the cross-fire. Congress must address the violence before more lives are lost.â€