DrugsSmuggling

Mexico and US Agree to Expand Checkpoints to Combat Arms Trafficking

As part of the ongoing dialogue between Mexico and the United States on advancing the bilateral strategy for stopping the illicit flow of arms and drugs across our border, the Undersecretary of Public Security, Ricardo Mejía Berdeja, chaired a videoconference with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials.

During the meeting, the government officials from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to exchange information and strengthen the bilateral collaboration that has allowed them to establish procedures for inspecting people and vehicles headed for Mexico and to combat trafficking in arms and other illicit goods. Based on this and on intelligence information, the Government of Mexico proposed expanding the border inspection at three points: Piedras Negras-Eagle Pass, Ciudad Acuña-Del Rio and Ojinaga-Presidio (all on the border with Texas).

During the conversation, it was agreed to give continuity to the bilateral inspection effort at some of the border crossings, in addition to the so-called ‘narcotunnels’. The participants committed to working together, agreeing that these problems affect both countries.

Mexico and the United States will create a temporary working group that will periodically hold virtual meetings. The group’s goal will be to discuss new ideas and opportunities for collaboration on the border, and to follow up on issues with a forward-looking perspective.

Undersecretary of Public Security Ricardo Mejía Berdeja was accompanied at the meeting by the Director General of Special Affairs, Julio César Sánchez Amaya, and Special Affairs Coordinator, Víctor Peláez Millán, both of the Foreign Ministry; the Deputy Director General for Administration of the National Migration Institute, Armando López Cárdenas; and the head of the Violence and Crime Prevention Unit of the Security Ministry, Miguel Ángel Urrutia Lozano. The US was represented by CBP Deputy Commissioner Robert E. Perez; Erik Moncayo, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, CBP Office of International Affairs; and Robert Gross, Attache at the US Embassy in Mexico.