My previous post notwithstanding, Mexico continues to be one of the largest sources of drugs headed to the United States. As in Guatemala, drugs and corruption go hand in hand. And, despite what U.S. law enforcement might like to attest, this is true on both sides of the Rio Grande.
While it may be possible to claim that drugs only enter the United States without the knowledge of border officials, as Mexican president Felipe Calderon has graciously pointed out, “How can you explain a drug market so large in the U.S. ¬– the largest market in the world – without the corruption of certain U.S. authorities.” In fact, it appears that the amount of corruption in U.S. border enforcement may be rising.
The case of Margarita Crispin has been drawing attention. Crispin was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to import more than 2,200 lbs of marijuana. She would not accept a plea bargain, implying that the consequences of her release might be worse than losing 20 years of freedom.
Crispin had been a customs officer in El Paso, and before that a police officer. Investigators believe she was recruited by drug traffickers to take the border position. In fact James Tomsheck, assistant commissioner at the Office of Internal Affairs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, has indicated that many more officials may be taking jobs with corruption in mind. Just as tighter border security has pushed activity to Guatemala, it has increased the value of an insider on the northern side of the border. Rather than sneak across the now patrolled desert, traffickers can drive straight through a custom lane without the secondary inspection that is at the discretion of the on-duty officer.
Paying someone off to bring drugs across the border is harmful. It also puts further burden on the United States to clean up its own act and not simply pressure its southern neighbors. But the potential for much more dangerous contraband remains the true concern.
