Mexico replaces all 700 customs inspectors with agents newly trained to fight drug smuggling

October 2nd, 2009 Mexico reports record drug seizureMEXICO CITY — Mexico's federal Attorney General's Office says authorities have has seized the largest quantity of precursor chemicals for methamphetamine in the country's history. It says 20 tons of chemicals were seized at Manzanillo port in the Pacific coast state of Colima and 17 tons were found by customs agents in Nuevo Laredo, across from Laredo, Texas.

September 30th, 2009 US, Colombian, Mexican officials seize $41 millionWASHINGTON — U.S. and Colombian authorities seized $41 million in suspected drug money over the past two weeks — one of the largest seizures in the history of the countries' joint efforts, law enforcement officials said Monday.

September 23rd, 2009 Police: Agents felt trapped in border gun battleSAN DIEGO — An investigator says federal agents felt trapped when they fired guns at a van packed with suspected illegal immigrants at the nation's busiest border crossing. San Diego police Lt.

September 23rd, 2009 2 drivers arrested after border crossing shootoutSAN DIEGO — San Diego police have arrested two of the three drivers who tried to storm their immigrant-filled vans past border inspectors. The driver of a third van has fled to Mexico.

September 22nd, 2009 1 injured in shootout at San Diego border crossingSAN DIEGO — One person was injured in a gun battle Tuesday involving an attempt to smuggle illegal immigrants from Mexico at the busiest border crossing in the U.S., authorities said. Details remained sketchy, but dozens of suspected illegal immigrants were detained when drivers tried to storm past inspectors at the San Ysidro port of entry and make their way into the U.S.

September 22nd, 2009 4 hurt at border crossing after agents fire shotsSAN DIEGO — U.S. authorities shut down the nation's busiest border crossing for about four hours Tuesday afternoon after federal agents fired shots at three vans filled with illegal immigrants whose drivers tried to storm past inspectors, officials said.

September 22nd, 2009 4 injured in shootout at San Diego border crossingSAN DIEGO — Four people were injured in a gun battle Tuesday involving an attempt to smuggle illegal immigrants from Mexico at the busiest border crossing in the U.S., authorities said. More than 70 people traveling in three vans involved in the incident were in federal custody, said U.S.

August 17th, 2009 Mexico replaces customs staff, revamps bordersMEXICO CITY — Mexico has replaced all 700 of its customs inspectors with agents newly trained to detect contraband, from guns and drugs to TVs and other big-ticket appliances smuggled to avoid import duties. The shake-up — part of a broader effort to root out corruption and improve vigilance at Mexican ports with new technology — doubled the size of Mexico's customs inspection force.

July 30th, 2009 Feds seize heroin worth $17 million in CaliforniaSACRAMENTO, Calif. — Authorities say federal drug agents have broken up a narcotics ring responsible for importing heroin valued at $17.5 million into California from Mexico.

June 30th, 2009 Prison terms upheld for smuggler shot at borderEL PASO, Texas — A federal appeals court has upheld the prison term for an admitted drug smuggler wounded in a controversial shooting by Border Patrol agents. The 5th U.S.

June 21st, 2009 Guns from America fuel Jamaica's gang warsKINGSTON, Jamaica — Ships from Miami steam into Jamaica's main harbor loaded with TV sets and blue jeans. But some of the most popular U.S.

June 17th, 2009 AG Holder says agents will get new powersWASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder says federal immigration agents will get expanded powers to help fight Mexican drug cartels. Holder says an announcement is imminent on a new agreement between the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security.

June 17th, 2009 AG: More agents will be able to fight drugsWASHINGTON — More federal agents will be able to investigate drug cases under a new agreement between government agencies battling Mexican cartels, Attorney General Eric Holder told Congress on Wednesday. Under a new deal aimed at settling a long-running turf dispute with the Drug Enforcement Administration, more agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement would get authority to investigate drug cases.

June 15th, 2009 US and Mexico agree to improve customsWASHINGTON — The U.S. and Mexico formalized an agreement Monday to work together to secure legal travel and trade across the countries' shared border.

June 8th, 2009 Mexico captures drug cartel suspect wanted in USMEXICO CITY — Mexican police have captured a woman wanted in the United States for allegedly smuggling $2 million in cocaine-trafficking profits for a powerful drug cartel. The Attorney General's Office says Olga Lerma was arrested in western Jalisco state after police spent three months tracking her movements.