As violence spins out of control in Mexico and across the U.S. border, these type of indictments are good. But there’s so many other folks out there willing to take over the lucrative drug trade. In other words: Both countries have to keep plugging away.
By James Vicini and Jeremy Pelofsky
Reuters
WASHINGTON – Ten accused Mexican drug cartel leaders were among 43 defendants charged with conspiring to smuggle billions of dollars worth of cocaine into the United States, but most of them remain at large, U.S. authorities said Thursday.
The United States, which has been seeking to crack down on drug trafficking and violence along the border with Mexico which has escalated recently, seeks the forfeiture of more than $5.8 billion in drug proceeds as part of the charges.
They announced the charges brought in New York and Chicago against the accused leaders and other high-ranking members of several of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels, along with other Mexican and U.S. defendants.
Read Justice Dept. Press Release