Federal, state and local agencies work to deter criminal activity
By Stephanie Sanchez / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 07/09/2008 05:23:02 PM MDT


Federal, state and local agencies working together has helped deter criminal activity in the border region, several federal officials said Wednesday.
"Each brings something different to the table when we're talking about gang investigations or drug investigations," said FBI Special Agent in Charge David Cuthbertson, of the partnership.

The Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other officials met Wednesday to talk about ways to make Texas safer.

"Here in El Paso, we drew a tremendous cooperative law enforcement community, which is already working together to slow the flow of narcotics across our border and to combat effects of violent gangs," Cuthbertson said.

The crackdown on the leadership of the Barrio Azteca gang, he said, was one example of how the different levels of law enforcement worked together.

"Although they were not responsible for the majority of drug sales in El Paso. They controlled various areas of the city and collected a quota or a tax from anyone selling drugs in their turf," he said. "If this quota was not paid, violent acts would then occur to enforce the system."

Local police, he said, contributes information about gang members from their arrests and federal agencies contribute sophisticated techniques to combat violent gang organizations and drug trafficking.

Officials also said organized crime in Juárez has not effected the El
Paso community and they didn't anticipate it would.
John "Jack" Riley, head of the local office of the DEA, said his agency is being vigilant and working with Mexican authorities.

The presence of Mexican military, he said, may be helping in stopping the violence in Juárez to spill into El Paso.

"I think it may be making a difference in not having violence creep into El Paso," he said. "I also think the outstanding law enforcement agencies here in the city and the county are second to none. By them sitting down and working with all of the agencies, we are sharing information."

Stephanie Sanchez may be reached at ssanchez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6137.



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