U.S.-Mexican officials meet to discuss joint efforts
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 06/09/2008 06:36:21 PM MDT


HOUSTON—U.S. and Mexican officials met Monday to learn how to share information in their effort to disrupt the smuggling of weapons into Mexico from the United States.
Armas Cruzadas, a program launched in April, allows law enforcement agencies from the two countries to share intelligence and work together to try to stop the illegal transport of arms across the border.

"Faced with an explosive, high-caliber threat, we knew we needed an equally effective, high-caliber response to thwart the illegal export of weapons into Mexico," said Julie L. Myers, assistant secretary of Homeland Security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who made the announcement about Armas Cruzadas with Juan Jose Bravo Moises, director for Mexico Customs.

ICE spokesman Brandon Alvarez-Montgomery said ICE is working with with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms because the agency can help track the sale and theft of weapons within the U.S. so that ICE can work with Mexican officials to apprehend them in Mexico if necessary.

The two countries hope to strengthen interagency cooperation between U.S. and Mexican federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and promote the exchange of intelligence through multiple departments.

Bravo said past relations with ICE and Mexico Customs have been successful.




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