The Harsh Realities Along the Mexican Border (warning – graphic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c1n4gGnVnY

Drug cartels are growing increasingly violent, and the deaths and brutality is escalating. This video examines information and photos from actual crime scenes of cartel related violence. Our border is a war zone, and cartels fight for control over smuggling routes (called corridors). As of May 2010, at least 22,700 drug related murders have been reported in Mexico in a little over 3 years. The U.S. no longer controls many of these areas along the border. Sheriff Paul Babeu, Pinal County, AZ, is on record saying he has no control of areas in his county, 80 miles north of the Mexico border. Federal land designations have a significant impact on the ability of the Border Patrol to effectively control crime, due to the numerous restrictions imposed, such as no use of motorized vehicles and no mechanized equipment. Drug cartels understand the severe restrictions on Border Patrol and law enforcement, and it makes these areas havens for criminal activity. Until the U.S. government chooses to secure our borders, we can expect this kind of violence to continue to escalate, and eventually become commonplace in the United States.