http://borderissues.us/2011/01/08/mexic ... n-the-u-s/

Mexican Cartel ‘Franchises in the U.S.
By borderissuesmex

Drug cartels have rented offices and apartments in order to coordinate drug trafficking, kidnappings and extortion in both countries, and to recruit young Americans. The San Diego office of the U.S. Department of Justice and DEA report of buildings rented by the Arellano Felix cartel which served as the chief operating offices for their larger network. These offices are located in San Diego, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Phoenix, Houston, New York, Seattle, Dallas, Tucson, Chicago, Florida and New Jersey, among other places. The investigation established that young women are used as drug mules between the U.S. and Mexico, and also as bait for kidnappings. In addition to using women with a criminal record, the cartels also recruit U.S. latina gang members. The U.S. authorities used communication towers to monitor cell phone and radio communications used by the cartel in Tijuana, Mexico. Through the 50,000 surveillance recordings, the DOJ came to know how the cartels were physically expanding into the U.S. The case is due to go to trial with 46 defendants.