Morning:
8°c
US to seize assets of Mexican drug cartels
Paul Thompson16 Apr 2009
PRESIDENT Barack Obama arrives in Mexico today after signalling he will take on the drugs cartels that have brought mayhem and bloodshed to America's neighbour.
He has directed the Treasury Department to seize the assets of three Mexican drugs cartels in a bid to break their financial power and combat the rising drugs violence.
The cartels are responsible for almost three-quarters of the illegal drugs crossing the border from Mexico to the US, generating billions of dollars in revenue each year.
The Treasury Department now has the authority to block or seize any assets, accounts or securities under US jurisdiction held by these organisations or anyone acting on their behalf.
The drugs violence which has claimed more than 6,000 lives is likely to be the main topic of conversation between Mr Obama and Mexican president Felipe Calderon.
Mr Obama is the first US president to visit Mexico in 12 years.But while he will want to talk about cracking down on the cartels Mr Calderon is more concerned with the one-way traffic of illegal guns.
Almost 90 per cent of the guns captured from drugs gangs have come from the US after being smuggled across the border from Texas.
In particular, assault weapons, which are banned in Mexico, have been taken into the country in large numbers, forcing police to tackle gangs with far superior firepower.
Mexican Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora said: "For Mexico, the No1 priority is guns. The No2 priority is guns. The No3 priority is guns."
Reader views (2)
Cash is what these drug lords are all about. Take their money and you take away their power - that means death, bribery, corruption and just about everything else you can lay at their feet.
I may not like Obama as a president, but that doesn't mean that this wasn't a good first step worth applauding.
- Rogan, Irving, 16/04/2009 17:01
Report abuse
Crikey, with the Banking System so Corrupt and Vulnerable and Virtually Bankrupt, thinking to Use it against a well almed and armed Cash Supporter is tantamount to Guaranteeing the Policy Failure and the Ponzi Banking System Collapse. That is about the dumbest and smartest move that Obama could make..... Well done, Mr President.
- Amanfrommars, Seventh Heaven Global Communications HQ, 16/04/2009 11:48
Report abuse
