INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS REVIEW

Created: 11/1/1995

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

International Narcotics

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International Narcotics Review p

October-NovemberCounternarcotics Opportunities and Challenges

President Zedillo has called drug trafficking the greatest threat to Mexico's national security, and his administration has begun several initiatives to improve counternarcotics capabilities. While these initiatives provide a

basis for greater gains against the drug trade in Mexico.

of the more significant of Zedillo's initiatives has been enhancing the role of the military in antidrug operations, including involvement in law enforcement actions that traditionally arc the preserve of the civilianGeneral's officeespite institutional misgivings within the

historically has resisted nontraditional missions

secretary Cervantes nasriority to implementing Zedillo's guidance:

The Mexican military is the cornerstone of Zedillo's initiative to enhance regional cooperation against drug trafficking]

If ihc Zedillo administration effectively follows through with its present counternarcotics efforts, intensifies pressure on trafficking organizations, and follows up wilh new initiatives to enhance effectiveness, Mexico may be able to make additional progress against the drug trade. Major seizures and real and sustained law enforcement pressure on the major trafficking groups would disrupt trafficking patterns and possibly force these groups to break apart and operate in smaller units,!

purtaiiing the power and operational

capabilities of the Mexican traffickers would begin to reduce the scope and extent of drug trafficking in Mexico. Whileevelopment would not shut off the fVow of illegal drugs into the United States from Mexico, it would probably force many traffickers to look outside Mexico forroutes. P

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Bolivia-Peru: Nartoevion Case Exposes Official Drug Ties

etric tons of finished cocaine seized byolivianl Lima airport oneptemberlargest cocaine bust ever for either Bolivia or Peru. According lotheio Aerolin-

eas Boiivrarors Mxneasafrom El Alio airport in Im Paz. Bolivia, and had scheduled stops in Lima, Peru, and in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and was to end its flight in Mexicali. Mexico. The cocaine was packed in moreooden crates hearing the inspection seals of Bolivia's Special Antinarcolics Police (FELCN).,

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