The Brenham Banner Press - Report, Mexican drug cartels responsible for growing violence along U.S., Mexico border

Report, Mexican drug cartels responsible for growing violence along U.S., Mexico border
As printed in the Brenham Banner Press

AUSTIN — A report by a congressional panel says Mexican drug cartels are responsible for the growing violence along the U.S./Mexico border.

The report clearly shows why the United States needs to focus its resources towards securing the border, said U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul.

The report, called "A Line in the Sand," was released by the Homeland Security Subcommittee of Investigations chaired by McCaul.

"This report spells it out and clearly shows why securing America's borders must be a priority," McCaul said. "Simply put, the report's findings should have us all concerned.

"We found that the Mexican drug cartels are the root causes for the violence on and around our border. They represent the head of the snake and those snakes must be eradicated."

The report found the drug cartels operating with military grade weapons, technology and intelligence and their own paramilitary enforcers. The report also found that these violent, drug-running cartels have vast networks of dedicated criminals with the ability to distribute shipments of drugs when and how they see fit.

The cartels are also growing their business by trafficking human beings.

"These cartels are becoming more violent using similar techniques to Islamic radicals, including beheadings," said McCaul.

"While the report focused on the cartels, our investigation also found a growing threat from state sponsors of terror with the want and resources to exploit our border with Mexico."

The report details how, for years, people from nations which sponsor terrorism have been taking advantage of America's porous borders. The report verifies that claim, said McCaul.

McCaul said Congress has already started addressing these issues and securing America's border by putting thousands of new border patrol agents across the border and stepping up America's intelligence gathering capabilities.

President Bush also signed a bill today authorizing 700 miles of new fencing along the border.

http://www.house.gov/list/press/tx10_mccaul/morenews/10_26_06_borreo_bbp.html