Drug Cartels Flex Muscle In Southwest

CBS Evening News: Explosion Of Kidnappings, Torture Connected To Mexican Drug Rings

(CBS)  It's a phone call few Americans will ever hear: "He's going to lose his finger, don't let him lose his life."

That's the terrifying sound of a kidnapper demanding money in exchange for the life of a loved one. It's hard to believe but calls like these come in virtually every single day in Phoenix, Ariz., which last year set up a special task force to battle back, CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports.

"The status of the problem is one that is going to explode across our country," said Lt. Lauri Burgett of the Phoenix Police Department's Violent Crimes Bureau.

Just last weekend a mother and her 3-year-old daughter were kidnapped by Mexican meth dealers seeking money owed by the dad. She was eventually released unharmed.

So was another man, but only after being tortured for three days by smugglers. His wife had to listen to his screams over the phone - as well as field $100,000 for ransom.

"They tried to take out the eyes and the ears and the finger, also," she said.

In fact, law enforcement sources tell CBS News that Phoenix has become ground zero for the explosion in the reported number of kidnappings and home invasions involving drug traffickers and criminals with connections to the Mexican drug cartels.

A CBS News investigation has discovered that as of last weekend, there have been 266 reported kidnappings and 300 home invasions this year alone. Sources say the real figures could run as much as three times higher because so many go unreported.

"It wasn't uncommon to have a new kidnapping case coming into our offices on a daily basis," Burgett said.

Law-enforcement sources say the kidnappings signal the brutal expansion of the raging Mexican drug wars spilling across the border. And one map reveals just how widely Mexican drug organizations have spread across the country - 195 cities in all.

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Check out National Drug Intelligence Center maps and data about Mexican drug operations in the United States. (16 pgs.)

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In June, three Mexican nationals were arrested by Phoenix police after a violent home invasion and murder at a drug "safe house." They were dressed head-to-toe just like the local S.W.A.T. team - and just as heavily armed.

Now CBS News has learned enforcer gangs just south of the Mexican border have added military-grade hand grenades to their arsenal - something special agent Jose Wall expects to see in Phoenix any day.

"There's nothing to make me believe that it won't happen," said Wall, an agent at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

It's not just hand grenades, kidnappings and home invasions that have law enforcement on edge. They say it's only a matter of time before innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire.

[brianp55]

Just another racist article intended to generate fear and loathing of hardworking Mexican immigrants. I say, throw open the border and let them all in.

[drivelphobe]

Well, what do you expect when the wall isn''t built and our politicians selfishly vie for hispanic votes, putting every American citizen at risk.

Close the border, deport every last illegal and build the wall. The people are thoroughly disgusted with the arrogant dismissal of our concerns about non-assimilating hordes, ghettos, gangs and criminals streaming into our country with the approval of John McCain, Barack and others who want "god''s children" to do the work Americans won''t do.

You reap what you sow. Go get''m Sheriff Joe.

[u-r-right]

And how many of the millions of illegals in this country are helping the goals of these drug gangs?

How many legal citizens are left in this country who think illegals crossing our borders, draining our system and breaking our laws should be excused and allowed to remain in this country?

Those who open their arms to illegals should be taken out along with them.

[drivelphobe]

brianp55...

Ya, throw open the border. What do you think is going on right now? Millions of illegals sucking the life out of our citizens, our economy, our educational system and our law enforcement system, and our culture.

Hardworking LEGAL Mexicans are not loathed. They are willingly accepted and welcome. Your accusation of fear is a joke. No one fears Mexicans! They fear the financial and cultural demise of this country with the invasion of illegal Mexicans.

You must be some child who jumped on his mommy''s computer.

[standlee5]

They''re just here to pick fruit and seek a better life for their family, there''s really nothing to worry about.

[heathmann]

Go ahead, everyone tell me how the great Barack Obama is going to save the day on this issue too. Puh-lease. The solution is effing simple - CLOSE ALL BORDERS NOW!!!! How effing hard is this to do?

[troutfisher4]

Go ahead, everyone tell me how the great Barack Obama is going to save the day on this issue too. Puh-lease. The solution is effing simple - CLOSE ALL BORDERS NOW!!!! How effing hard is this to do?

Posted by heathmann


Bush is still president, you fool. What is HE doing about it?

[legacyabq]

It may seem hard to accept, but there is only one solution to this problem.
Take out the gangs by destroying the profit in drugs.
Legalize (or at least decriminalize) drugs.
If you take the time to really study the history of black markets and the drug consumption in this country, then controlled-distribution by the government is the only answer.
These scum will stop at nothing to get their money. Billions and billions of dollars.
You can destroy the constitution and keep locking up people, put tanks in the streets and rant about morality, but until drugs have the profit-motive removed nothing will help.
It is an UNWINNABLE war.
Legalize drugs NOW.
Before it is too late.

[lovegetpeace]

Americans, please continue the HIGH Demand for narcotic drugs to excite your boring and lifeless life for a few minutes.

[lovegetpeace]

Americans, please continue the HIGH Demand for narcotic drugs to excite your boring and sick life for a few minutes.

[solarrays247-2009]

Go ahead, everyone tell me how the great Barack Obama is going to save the day on this issue too. Puh-lease. The solution is effing simple - CLOSE ALL BORDERS NOW!!!! How effing hard is this to do?

Posted by heathmann at 07:39 PM : Nov 12, 2008

According to our Constitution...we can only have ONE president of this country....at ONE time! I suggest you target you comments to your President George W. Bush, and advise him how effing easy it is to accomplish?!

[spinproof]

The best way to take a big bite out of the Drug Cartels is the same way a big bite was taken out of Mob controlled gambling and booze, legalize it! Legalizing Drugs is the lesser evil.

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by spinproof at 07:46 PM : Nov 12, 2008

Eliminate the Demand for Narcotic Drugs in America and you automatically eliminate/kill all Drug Cartels.

[txgrouch2007]

They''''re just here to pick fruit and seek a better life for their family, there''''s really nothing to worry about.
Posted by standlee5 at 07:34 PM : Nov 12, 2008

Yes, yes, the PEACEFUL immigrants from Mexico. Just here to work on farms and in illegal meat packing plants, where they will take jobs away from LEGAL workers and get hands and limbs cut off by unsafe machines but they''re afraid to complain because they could get deported.

They''ll also engage in other peaceful behaviors like stealing anything you left on your patio while you''re at work, breaking into your house and VERY RESPECTFULLY browsing through your belongings and carefully putting back what they don''t want to take. Sorry about the broken window, but your lock was REALLY STRONG. It was an accident. Sorry.

Yes, what possible harm could they do...

Oh, and sorry about that potted plant they stole. You left it outside, and it was SO PRETTY they thought their Grandma would like it. I hope you understand, it''s just that we''re so poor. Sorry.

[txgrouch2007]

The best way to take a big bite out of the Drug Cartels is the same way a big bite was taken out of Mob controlled gambling and booze, legalize it! Legalizing Drugs is the lesser evil.
Posted by spinproof at 07:46 PM : Nov 12, 2008

Everyone seems to have forgotten that AL-QAIDA has taken over most drug cartels. They will put lethal agents into the drugs, so drug users will poison themselves.

THAT will cut down on drug use...

[lovegetpeace]

Funny how everyone blames the Supply side of Narcotic Drugs but nobody comments about the Demand side.

In 1993, the CIA killed the KingPin leader Pablo Escobar of the Medellmn Cartel of Columbia. At that time (and I guess how too), medellin was the largest in the world.

Today, drugs import is 10 times of 1993. Eliminate the head/leader and 10 commanders are ready for the promotion.

[lovegetpeace]

Americans are directly financing Al-Queda and Taliban by Demanding the Narcotic Drug Heroin from Afghanistan.

[sincity_q]

By all means, lets let all the illegals stay, tear down the fence and fire our border guards. We are good neighbors... just invite the drug cartels to come and destroy our cities and towns, kidnap our children and bomb us into a vision of he11

[demdump]

SEND IN SCAREFACE...ALCAPONE

[txgrouch2007]

Americans are directly financing Al-Queda and Taliban by Demanding the Narcotic Drug Heroin from Afghanistan.
Posted by lovegetpeace at 07:55 PM : Nov 12, 2008

BTW, do you REALLY believe Christopher Columbus was searching for SPICES???

Did Queen Isabella sell her royal jewels just to make her FOOD TASTE GOOD?????

Or - were they really searching for a shorter path to the OPIUM??????????

[yeswedid]

Yes, yes, the PEACEFUL immigrants from Mexico. Just here to work on farms and in illegal meat packing plants, where they will take jobs away from LEGAL workers and get hands and limbs cut off by unsafe machines but they''''re afraid to complain because they could get deported.

They''''ll also engage in other peaceful behaviors like stealing anything you left on your patio while you''''re at work, breaking into your house and VERY RESPECTFULLY browsing through your belongings and carefully putting back what they don''''t want to take. Sorry about the broken window, but your lock was REALLY STRONG. It was an accident. Sorry.

Yes, what possible harm could they do...

Oh, and sorry about that potted plant they stole. You left it outside, and it was SO PRETTY they thought their Grandma would like it. I hope you understand, it''''s just that we''''re so poor. Sorry.


Posted by txgrouch2007 at 07:49 PM : Nov 12, 2008

----------------------------------------------------

Nice racist comments. I personally know many immigrants here who keep to themselves & do work here only to support their families. There are many criminals in this greedy society, but they can be of any race. If people think the economy is a dobacle now--they have no idea the situation we''d be in if these immigrants were not here!

[troutfisher4]

Legalize all drugs.

End of the drug cartels.

Simple.

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by txgrouch2007 at 07:49 PM : Nov 12, 2008

Yea, blame and eliminate all the 13 millions Undocumented Aliens here and the drug problem is fixed. What a Racist Idiot.

[tyronehogleg]

Yes, yes, the PEACEFUL immigrants from Mexico. Just here to work on farms and in illegal meat packing plants, where they will take jobs away from LEGAL workers and get hands and limbs cut off by unsafe machines but they''''''''re afraid to complain because they could get deported.

They''''''''ll also engage in other peaceful behaviors like stealing anything you left on your patio while you''''''''re at work, breaking into your house and VERY RESPECTFULLY browsing through your belongings and carefully putting back what they don''''''''t want to take. Sorry about the broken window, but your lock was REALLY STRONG. It was an accident. Sorry.

Yes, what possible harm could they do...

Oh, and sorry about that potted plant they stole. You left it outside, and it was SO PRETTY they thought their Grandma would like it. I hope you understand, it''''''''s just that we''''''''re so poor. Sorry.


Posted by txgrouch2007 at 07:49 PM : Nov 12, 2008

--------------------------------
--------------------

Nice racist comments. I personally know many immigrants here who keep to themselves & do work here only to support their families. There are many criminals in this greedy society, but they can be of any race. If people think the economy is a dobacle now--they have no idea the situation we''''d be in if these immigrants were not here!


ahhh, don''t worry about txgrouch...he is still fuming that he cannot marry his boyfriend in California...

[redtrash]

It is long past due time to legalize marijuana and ban marijuana urine tests in all work places. The overall War on Drugs is yet another Republicon failed war to nowhere. The Democrats, however have had huge success in taking on Big Tobacco, banning smoking in all public places, and reducing second hand related smoke disease. Next the Democratic majority needs to take on the alcohol industry, which is a far more dangerous substance than soft drugs such as marijuana.

[yeswedid]

Posted by txgrouch2007 at 07:49 PM : Nov 12, 2008

Yea, blame and eliminate all the 13 millions Undocumented Aliens here and the drug problem is fixed. What a Racist Idiot.

Posted by lovegetpeace at 08:11 PM : Nov 12, 2008

-------------------------------------------------

Yes, people are such fools. That name fits him well..."TXGROUCH"

[stupidrules3]

The Laws should be ammended on both countries to make it a capital ofence to engage in this,
this is cowardly to the core.


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Posted by seis-6-seis at 08:01 PM : Nov 12, 2008

I knew we would agree on something one day. That day is finally here.

[ajmarine111]

Few public policies have compromised public health and undermined our fundamental civil liberties for so long and to such a degree as the war on drugs. The United States is now the world''s largest jailer, imprisoning nearly half a million people for drug offenses alone. That''s more people than Western Europe, with a bigger population, incarcerates for all offenses. Roughly 1.5 million people are arrested each year for drug law violations - 40% of them just for marijuana possession. People suffering from cancer, AIDS and other debilitating illnesses are regularly denied access to their medicine or even arrested and prosecuted for using medical marijuana

[closethippy1]

There was a case in Mexico about a month ago where one group of drug dealers in a car were chasing another group of drug dealers in another car.
Well, there was this other car filled with 5 teenagers and a 12 year-old girl coming back from a birthday party and they happened to get in the way of the car that was doing the chasing and so allowed the people who were being chased to get away.
The drug dealers stopped their car, walked over to where the teenagers and the girl were and shot each and everyone to death.
This is what I always think about when I argue for the legalizations of drugs regardless of how "immoral" or "wrong" it is.

[legacyabq]

Legalize it..

Tax it..

Save literally BILLIONS of dollars in prisons and law enforcement money, increase treatment 500% and still come out waaay ahead financially, and watch the crime rate drop a LOT..
Legalize drugs today!

[immigrant666]

"DIVIDE AND CONQUER" it''s the motto.

When are u racist people going to realize, that blaming this type of problem on immigrants is just plain ignorant? most people come over here to live a decent life, by means of exercising respect on everyone.i ask those who had their homes broken in by "mexicans" are hispanics the only people who commit crimes in this country???
what about the mafia that has plagued this country since the early 1900''s??? italian, irish, russian mafia??
what about the criminal rate for other ethnic groups???
this country is not new to: kidnapping. serial killers, home terrorists(like timothy Mc v.)
wake up people!!!! as long as drugs are not legalized anyone will step up to do the job!!!(black, asian,white etc). Drugs bring a lot of money to this society. it will be hard to fix this problem unless we realize the government is the sole culprit.
as long as we are divided, by racism, nationalism, we''ll always be looking for a scapegoat, not for a solution!!!! viva la raza!!!! vato loco 4 ever!!!!

[immigrant666]

"DIVIDE AND CONQUER" it''s the motto.

When are u racist people going to realize, that blaming this type of problem on immigrants is just plain ignorant? most people come over here to live a decent life, by means of exercising respect on everyone.
i ask those who had their homes broken in by "mexicans" are hispanics the only people who commit crimes in this country???
what about the mafia that has plagued this country since the early 1900''s??? italian, irish, russian mafia??
what about the criminal rate for other ethnic groups???
this country is not new to: kidnapping. serial killers, home terrorists(like timothy Mc v.)
wake up people!!!! as long as drugs are not legalized anyone will step up to do the job!!!(black, asian,white etc). Drugs bring a lot of money to this society. it will be hard to fix this problem unless we realize the government is the sole culprit.
as long as we are divided, by racism, nationalism, we''ll always be looking for a scapegoat, not for a solution!!!! viva la raza!!!! vato loco 4 ever!!!!

[redtrash]

Finally, one issue that US libs and cons can agree upon.

END the WAR ON DRUGS!
LEGALIZE IT!
TAX IT!

Now dont bogart that joint...........

[wtcmedic911]

Thank you to Reagan and Bush admins. for not seeing the potential threat an open boarder could create. Conservatives have warned of it for years. I am sure when Obama is finished their wont even be a border. We have become Mexicos welfare program wether it be jobs or services. In this economy dont tell me americans will not do labor. We have the mexican gangs in the prisons, in the citys and now they are taking it to a new level. Bush, Mccain and of course the liberals only can see the poor mexican worker. When will you realize there is another great threat that comes with your cheap green grocier vegies.

[rushlimpdrug]

kool.

we can now see what we paid to see at the movies

in our own streets.

Very kool.

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by wtcmedic911 at 08:31 PM : Nov 12, 2008

67% of Hispanics voted for the Democratic Party on Nov 4, 2008. Please continue your Racism to increase that number to 100% on Nov 8, 2011.

Thank you so much for your understanding.

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by wtcmedic911 at 08:31 PM : Nov 12, 2008

Ironically, Republican President Reagan gave Amnesty to 5 millions Hispanics in 1988. Republican President Bush and Senator McCain also wanted to sign an Amnesty law for the 13 million undocumented Hispanics back in February 2007.

Just to refresh your memory.

[slim1h2o]

Finally, one issue that US libs and cons can agree upon.

END the WAR ON DRUGS!
LEGALIZE IT!
TAX IT!

Now dont bogart that joint...........

Posted by RedTrash at 08:26 PM : Nov 12, 2008

I agree, it does need to be (weed) legalised.

The only problem I see now, is that the cartels has such a stronghold on the market, that when and if, it''s legalised. They''ll start firebombing where ever it''s sold.

Thanks to the failed war on drugs. Not only has it created criminals here in the states, it has created a super rich criminal in other countries.

What a waste!!

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by wtcmedic911 at 08:31 PM : Nov 12, 2008

Ironically, Republican President Reagan signed into Law Amnesty for 5 millions Undocumented Aliens in 1988. Both Republican President Bush and Senator McCain also wanted to sign an Amnesty law for the 13 million undocumented Hispanics back in February 2007.

Just to refresh your memory.

[lovegetpeace]

Folks,
Continue to blame the Supply side of Narcotic Drugs and you will fix the problem in about 1 million years.

Do not worry, there is nothing wrong with the Demand Side of this huge problem.

[spinproof]

Posted by slim1h2o at 08:41 PM : Nov 12, 2008

Order Drugs on the web, have the drugs delivered, problem solved, can''t bomb the place if you don''t know where it is, dropship! Tax Revenues from Drugs go to State coffers. Legalizing Drugs is the lesser evil.

[wtcmedic911]

I have full faith Obama admin and other liberals will roll back protection even more. As they did in the Clinton admin. the wall between FBI and CIA. when the *** hit the fan i can promise you i know who will be the first ones to say. "what happened? how could this be? why wasnt anything done to prevent it?" I live here in brooklyn. if Regan had ENFORCED THE LAWS, if the bushes and clinton had also we couldnt be having kidnappings in OUR OWN COUNTRY.

[slim1h2o]

CBS Evening News: Explosion Of Kidnappings, Torture Connected To Mexican Drug Rings

And I blame the Federal Government for all this. They have failed to protect the border. In fact they left it wide open.

About time to take the country back. Ask all illegal invaders, no, tell them to go back, by force if necessary.

[slim1h2o]

Legalizing Drugs is the lesser evil.

Posted by spinproof at 08:46 PM : Nov 12, 2008

I agree!

You''re preaching to the choir now,,,LOL.

[chuckycz]

Its basic supply and demand.
The redneck racist white trash buy the drugs so mexicans provide it to them.

[slim1h2o]

Posted by lovegetpeace at 08:44 PM : Nov 12, 2008

Thats a ridiculous statement, unless you are being sarcastic.

It''s neither really, legalise it, problem solved.

[slim1h2o]

The redneck racist white trash buy the drugs so mexicans provide it to them.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by chuckycz at 08:50 PM : Nov 12, 2008





Now who''s calling the kettle what, with that remark...

[wtcmedic911]

autumn987- is a great example of the consumer side of drug use in this country. just think when drugs are legal. a whole county of stoners like autumn987. wow, cant wait....

[txgrouch2007]

blame and eliminate all the 13 millions Undocumented Aliens here and the drug problem is fixed. What a Racist Idiot.
Posted by lovegetpeace at 08:11 PM : Nov 12, 2008

I wasn''t talking about drugs in that post.

Maybe y''all are ON DRUGS.

[redtrash]

Posted by chuckycz
The redneck racist white trash buy the drugs so mexicans provide it to them.

I can not attest to your claim, because I dont personally know any redneck racist white trash. But I do know lots of well educated liberals and conservatives, all professionals from their early 20s to late 50s that love recreational drug use, myself included. We all would prefer to buy home grown drugs knowing beforehand the quality and the strength, same as people can do with booze. We as users are not children, we are educated adults.

LEGALIZE IT!
LABEL IT!
TAX IT!

BRING IT ON!