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Mexico Institute in the News: Mexican Meth Appears to Replace Domestic Production

Eric L. Olson

Mexican cartels are increasingly making and trafficking more meth, which could cause more violence to accompany added competition among the cartels.

February 22, 2012, Texas Tribune

Seizures of methamphetamine at the Laredo customs district — the nation’s largest inland port — are on pace this fiscal year to surpass last year’s total by about 60 percent, reaching an expected total of about 1,650 pounds...

...For now, cocaine, marijuana and — to a lesser extent — heroin will continue to be the products of choice for cartels, said Eric Olson, a senior associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. “I would think it would take a lot to shift that in terms of priority, in terms of revenue,”Olson said, though he added that demand for meth in the U.S. is increasing. Olson said he didn’t expect cartels to abandon pot, cocaine or heroin smuggling, but instead use the increased meth demand to pad their coffers. The advantage would probably go to the group with the most manpower and resources, he said, citing a recent meeting with a Mexican intelligence official. 

“He was of the opinion that it’s really the Sinaloa cartel that is in a position to take advantage of the growing demand,”

Olson said.

“The Zetas will try to because they rarely miss an opportunity. But he seemed to think it was more the Sinaloa cartel that was in a position to take advantage of it.”

    Read the full article here.

About the Author

Eric L. Olson

Eric L. Olson

Global Fellow;
Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Seattle International Foundation
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Mexico Institute

The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute.   Read more