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€