“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Anne Milgram says everyone needs to do more to target drug trafficking groups’ networks
The activities of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel have led to an escalation of violence in parts of the country.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said her agency will combat the Sinaloa Cartel – dominated by Los Chapitos – and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel within the United States and in 45 countries where both groups operate.
At a hearing in which she asked for an increase in the DEA’s budget, Milgram praised the achievements of Mexican authorities, but, pressed by a Republican congressman on the collaboration of the Mexican government, the official responded that “Mexicans are also dying” in the battle against the two cartels and fentanyl.
Milgram explained that the DEA’s strategy against the two cartels is not only focused in Mexico but in more than 40 countries and within the United States.
She said she is now seeking the extradition of 17 people arrested, including Ovidio Guzman, and to locate 20 suspects who remain at large, four Chinese who provide the precursor chemicals and 16 Mexicans who produce and manufacture fentanyl.
She stated that just as the DEA’s strategy to combat fentanyl production and trafficking is initially focused on China and Mexico, his agency “will follow the evidence of corruption wherever it leads us”.
She cited as examples the charges against Juan Orlando Hernández in Guatemala and President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
Is Mexico cooperating?” asked Budget Committee Chairman Hal Rogers.
I appreciate that question,” Milgram responded, “and as we have shown (in relation to) Los Chapitos, the base and all the operations of (the Sinaloa cartel) are in Mexico; there are 16 individuals and Ovidio who are still there. Our top priority is to bring those 17 Mexicans to the United States to face justice.
So now we are asking Mexico to assist us in arresting the 16 individuals who remain at large and extraditing them to the United States,” he added.
I take this opportunity to say that we are also seeking the extradition of Rafael Caro Quintero, who was arrested last year, and we recognize the women and men of law enforcement, many of whom died, in the arrests of Rafael Caro Quintero and Ovidio Guzman,” he said.
Let’s understand that these two cartels operate in 45 countries, so it is vital that we continue the work we do in Mexico and China, and now we can work in many other countries,” he said.
As for Mexico, we all need to do more. We as DEA do more, we want to work with Mexico so that they work with us to get everyone (wanted) in custody,” he said.