Drugs in, Weapons Out.

Recent efforts by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have disrupted the flow of weapons and cash into the hands of cartels in Mexico. Moreover, from July to September of 2009, seizures of firearms increased by 65 percent along the southwest border, which lead to the seizure of 600 illegal weapons by ICE and CBP officers (ATF). Being that cartels are used to acquiring whatever they may need, they also have a preference for weapons.  The “tools of the trade” that are sought out the most by Mexican cartels include: 9mm pistols; .38-caliber revolvers; 5.7mm pistols; .223-caliber rifles; 7.62mm rifles; and .50 caliber rifles (ATF). Cartel choice of weapons consists of weapons that can be carried on ones person like 9mm pistols and 5.7 mm pistols. As for rifles, the 50 caliber rifle is one to be feared due to its shooting range capabilities and its power. If there were less weapons being crossed into Mexico, the violence level would be significantly decreased throughout Mexico.

                                                                                          

Unfortunately, weapons that make it across the southwest border and reach the hands of cartel members come from the U.S. The states which most guns are obtained from include California, Texas, and Arizona (ATF). It's estimated that approximately 2,000 weapons are transported across the southwest border on a daily basis, thus making it difficult for CBP to detect all of the weapons that are being smuggled across the border into Mexico (Johnson, 2010). In addition, Johnson states that woman are being used to purchase weapons, for current laws prohibit convicted felons from purchasing weapons legally in the U.S. The elaborate ways in which guns are being transported over the southwest border makes seizure of such weapons difficult, but also adding to the level of difficulty is the “straw buyers” who are being used in order to purchase weapons for the purpose of being used by cartels (Johnson, 2010). Cartels recent recruiting of woman to purchase guns in order to avoid any suspicions by gun dealers according to Johnson. The demand for weapons in behalf of cartels has encouraged those who are able purchase weapons to obtain them, thus weapon availability is facilitated.

            Cartels desire to control the drug trade, fuels their need to be on top of every cartel that competes against them. Currently, cartels choice of weapons various from pistols that can be carried on their person to weapons known to cause severe damage or death, but yet they all kill. Recently, cartels have resorted to using “straw buyers” to purchase their weapons, but woman have recently been used in order to obtain guns legally in the U.S. In order to reduce the violence in Mexico and prevent drug traffickers from continuing to spill the blood of innocent people, rivals, and law enforcement personnel Mexico and U.S. cooperation needs to be continued in order to impact the large number of weapons that are making it across the southwest border and into the hands of drug traffickers.   

References

Johnson, K. (2010, October 1). Border vehicle searches net few guns. USA Today, Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
Johnson, K. (2009, August 24). Gun runners recruiting women as purchasers. USA Today, Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
www.atf.gov/press/releases/2009/04/040209-doj-factsheet-combatting-mexican-cartels.htm

Cartel Culture

Just as Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie have many fans throughout the world, cartels and their leaders also have fans that strive to be part of the cartel. Drug cartels and their leaders over the years have been seen as heroes to individuals who like the life style that cartels and their leaders live on a daily basis. However, they see that lifestyle as being one that will bring them instant wealth, women, and power. What they fail to realize is that there is no such thing as an old drug dealer, but yet they seek acceptance into such a violent and relentless culture, that is the “Narco” lifestyle.  The aforementioned lifestyle has been glorified through music, religious saints, and through luxurious burial crypts. With that being said, the narco lifestyle is sought by a few, but disliked by many, for it is a lifestyle that does not have a secure retirement plan.

Ballads have traditionally been used to tell stories of tragic events, individuals, love stories, or injustices. However, ballads have been given a new name in this new age, for now they are referred to as “narco-corridos,” which tells of events surrounding drug trafficking organizations. Approximately, 10 narco-corrido singers have been assassinated since 2006 due to the music that they play (Hawley, 2009). Although, a number of musicians have fallen victims to cartels, artists like (left to right) Larry Hernandez, Roberto Tapia, and El Komander, are just a hand full of artists who continue to sing ballads that primarily tell stories about cartels and their leaders from their home state of Sinaloa. The amount of musicians assassinated by cartel hit teams is remarkable, but yet other musicians continue to compose, record, and perform ballads that can lead to their death. As visible by the picture, the aforementioned artists are all into the cartel culture that they grew up witnessing in their home-state of Sinaloa.    

Surprisingly, cartels resort to saints on a daily basis in order to carry out their daily agendas. One of the primary saints that cartels resort to, is, Jesus Malverde, which is the Mexican version of Robin Hood, who stole from the rich and gave to the poor (Botsch, 2008).  According, to Botsch, cartels justify their actions by creating jobs for those who have no source of income or are seeking employment with cartels. The following is a common prayer rehearsed by those involved in drug trafficking, “Lord Malverde, give your voluntary help to my people in the name of God. Defend me from justice and the jails of those powerful ones. Listen to my prayer and fill my heart with happiness. For you shall make me fortunate” (Botsch, 2008). Being that Malverde is the primary saint that cartels resort to; law enforcement agencies have over the years trained officer’s about the significance of Malverde (Botsch, 2008). Although, Malverde is not officially recognized as a saint, cartels and other believe that Malverde has answered their prayers. Another saint used by cartels is La Santa Muerte (Holy Death) (Lacey, 2009). Botsch states that cartels resort to la Santa Muerte in order to seek protection as they embark on their daily activities and also to Saint Jude, when all else fails. Cartel members seek religious figures to aid them as they carry on with their lifestyle. The faith that cartels have on their saints, demonstrates how dedicated they have become to their lifestyle.         .

The narco lifestyle tends to lead in three directions, one being incarcerated, in the hospital, or dead. Being that the cartel life is an extreme life style; leaders still remain respected even after death. Knowing how short the narco life style is some leaders have asked that their bodies be kept in lavish mausoleums, placed in coffins dipped in gold, and rivers of Whiskey Buchannan flow like a river at their funeral (video). The mausoleums in Jardines de Humaya, in Culiacan, Sinaloa; is the final resting place for Sinaloa’s drug cartel leaders. After a lifestyle of drug dealing, shootouts, and lavish private parties, cartel leaders and those who work for the aforementioned, are destined to live short lives or be imprisoned for their crimes.

The cartel culture is what inspires those seeking employment with cartels and those who strive to be the next cartel leader, to engage in a life style that more than often ends in a short period of time. As a result of short careers and the penalties for drug trafficking, members of drug cartels also resort to saints to protect them from being detected while they transport their drugs, keep them safe while in battle, and also keep them safe when everything else fails. Censorship of ballads should be carefully monitored and regulated in order to help lessen the influence that narco-corridos have on those who listen to them. By educating law enforcement and the public in general, we can give the power of knowledge to help detect and stop the cartel culture, which cause great harm on both sides of the border.                

References

Botsch, R. (2008). Focus on Officer Safety: Jesus Malverde's Significance to Mexican Drug Traffickers. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 77(8), 19-22. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
Hawley, C. (2009, December 28). Mexico's drug ballads hit sour note with government. USA Today, Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
LACEY, M. (2009, June 13). In Mexican City, Drug War Ills Slip Into Shadows. New York Times, p. 1. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
www.johntoddjr.com/151%20Sanjudas/sanjudastadeo.htm
*All photos courtesy of Google images.