Thread: Mexican agent joins cross-border crime unit in S.D.

Mexican agent joins cross-border crime unit in S.D.


By Anna Cearley
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

November 12, 2007

TIJUANA – In upcoming months, a Mexican intelligence officer will start working north of the border with a San Diego-based team of federal and local investigators that specializes in cross-border crime.
The inclusion marks a departure from the more traditional cross-border collaboration, which often means scheduling meetings, going through bureaucratic channels and developing trusted sources over time.

In this case, the Mexican officer, who will remain an employee of his or her own agency, will be based out of the San Diego office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The officer will use a computer and phone paid for by ICE and will be reimbursed by the U.S. government for living expenses.

Although the concept may raise concern about trusting outsiders, especially considering the corruption allegations that have been associated with Mexican law enforcement, U.S. officials said they believe the program will help more than it will hurt.

“There is always the concern of compromise of intelligence, and you have to go down that road cautiously, but at the same time we've got to go full speed ahead until we have an issue,â€

In a separate program, President Bush announced last month he would ask Congress to approve a $500 million package to help Mexico fight drug cartels.

And why should we pay for Mexico to 'fight' drug cartels? Puh-leeeeze! Does jorge really think we are that dumb?

I wonder if we are going to take sides in this drug war? Are we going to help go after all the drug 'companies', or are we going to help protect the Mexican government sanctioned companies?

Does jorge really think we are that dumb?

Good question!! He's sadly mistaken....as usual.

Puh-leeeeze, is right!

Sounds very NAUish too.

So we are going to have a Mexican agent in a place where he can get the information about drug enforcement?

Does this seem like a good idea to you?

I think we have enough 'cross border' contamination as it is.