Washington – Drug Enforcement
Administration’s Administrator Michele M. Leonhart announced today the signing
of a new memorandum of cooperation (MOC) between the United States Drug
Enforcement Administration and the Government of Mexico to aggressively address
the continuing problem of illegal methamphetamine production. Mexican Attorney General Marisela Morales
Ibáñez and General Commissioner of the Mexican Federal Police Maribel Cervantes
Guerrero made the announcement with Administrator Leonhart.
The MOC will assist in sustaining
long-term joint efforts between the U.S. and Mexico in battling methamphetamine
production. U.S. and Mexican officials
enjoy a strong cooperative relationship that includes information and
intelligence exchange, joint chemical control efforts, and training and
resources for methamphetamine lab dismantling.
A methamphetamine lab is a hidden or secret facility equipped and used
in the production of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine.
“With the majority of methamphetamine in
the US being produced by Mexican drug organizations operating on both sides of
the border, it is essential for our two countries to target the problem
together," Leonhart said. “This MOC
enhances our intelligence sharing and joint training efforts, and is only
possible due to the strong partnership with the Government of Mexico in
attacking the meth scourge both countries unfortunately face.”
Mexico’s Attorney General Marisela
Morales said, “Mexico and the United States are linked not only by economic,
political and social bonds, but also by security and law enforcement
issues.” The signing of the MOC “is an
unprecedented event because both of our countries are signing the very first international
instrument that will help fight the manufacturing of synthetic drugs in
clandestine laboratories,” she said.
The General Commissioner of Mexico’s
Federal Police Maribel Cervantes noted that “the recent increase in the
production and consumption of designer drugs is both a security and a health
problem that demands immediate attention by both governments. I am certain that the signing of this
document will increase the institutional capacities of all of us to combat this
problem more efficiently. The Mexican
Federal Police will make every effort to increase timely coordination and
exchange of information to build a common front against the illicit trade of
design drugs.”
Mexico has experienced a dramatic
increase in clandestine methamphetamine lab and precursor chemical seizures,
nearly 1,000 percent between 2010 and 2011.
This increase has led to a rise of methamphetamine seizures at the U.S.
border. In 2011, Southwest border
seizures of meth totaled 7,338 kilograms, more than twice the amount seized in
2009. The Department of State has set
aside $12 million in Merida Initiative funding to support Mexican government
efforts to enhance Mexico’s capacity to safely secure clan labs, gather
evidence, and destroy chemical precursors.
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