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United States/Mexico Bi-National Drug Strategy

Strategy Component

Alliance Point 14: Improve our capacity to interrupt drug shipments by air, land, and sea.

The United States and Mexico recognize drug trafficking as a transnational crime. For this reason both nations consider bilateral and multilateral cooperation one of the essential tools in combating this illicit activity. Thus the two nations have decided to strengthen the mechanisms for exchange of information and the bilateral and multilateral mechanisms for combating this problem.

Objectives

  1. Improve information exchange among the governmental institutions of the United States and Mexico established for combating drug trafficking.

  2. Enhance liaison and coordination mechanisms to make operations more effective in each country, in order to detect and intercept illegal drug trafficking.

  3. Determine the mechanisms for improving the flexibility and coverage of its maritime and aerial interdiction operations.

  4. Enhance the exchange of information and coordination of the established measures for maritime interdiction within the appropriate jurisdiction of each country, with due regard to respective domestic laws and international law.

  5. Provide the necessary resources to ensure the success of operations for the detection and interception of illegal drugs.
Actions
  1. The Governments of Mexico and the United States will periodically exchange statistical information regarding the results of ground, aerial, and maritime interdiction and detained persons.

  2. The Governments of Mexico and the United States will develop and strengthen mechanisms for the interchange of information regarding new routes and methods used to transport drugs.

  3. The Governments of Mexico and the United States will determine the appropriate mechanisms for collaboration for the detection and prevention of maritime, ground and aerial trafficking, based in the domestic legislation of each country as well as in the international conventions applicable to this issue.

  4. The Governments of Mexico and the United States will continue existing cooperation, and enhance coordination and exchange of information mechanisms in order to permit the interception organizations of both the United States and Mexico, in their respective jurisdictions, to improve the processes used to combat aerial drug trafficking.

  5. The Governments of Mexico and the United States will continue to adopt the necessary measures and utilize existing mechanisms within their respective jurisdictions for combating drug trafficking on land.

  6. The Governments of Mexico and the United States will increase the exchange of information and the coordination of maritime interdiction developed by each country within its jurisdictional ambit, according to respective domestic legislation, international maritime law, and the applicable international conventions.