United States/Mexico Bi-National Drug Strategy
Strategy Component
Alliance Point 2: Reduce the production and distribution of illegal
drugs in both countries, particularly marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine
and heroin.
Illicit drugs are not produced and distributed the same way in Mexico
and the United States. Nevertheless, organizations engaged in the production
and distribution of and traffic in marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine,
and cocaine, use the territory of both countries to carry out their operations.
Distribution of drugs is an issue that is addressed in several Alliance
Points. While some aspects of drug distribution are discussed in Alliance
Point 2, additional issues of distribution are outlined in Alliance Point
3.
In order to reduce the production and distribution of illicit substances
in their respective territories, Mexico and the United States have decided
to strengthen cooperation in the areas of information exchange, technical
matters, and assistance programs, with a view to an ongoing exchange of
experiences relating to the activities that each country has implemented
to eliminate drug production and distribution in their own territories.
Insofar as possible, they will seek to strengthen mechanisms to exchange
information about trends in drug trafficking and distribution in the region,
in order to compile strategic intelligence.
Objectives
-
Decrease drug cultivation, production and distribution in their respective
territories, particularly with regard to marijuana, heroin, cocaine and
methamphetamine.
-
Enhance the capability of both countries’ authorities to eradicate illicit
plantings and to destroy laboratories that process drugs in their respective
territories.
-
Explore strategic alternatives to contain the planting of drug crops consistent
with the circumstances of drug production in each country.
Actions
-
The Governments of Mexico and the United States will share information
on their experiences in eradication techniques and equipment used, administrative
guidelines, use of intelligence to plan operations, and any problems encountered
in eradication programs.
1.1 Both governments will establish a quarterly system to exchange
information regarding the results of eradication, laboratory destruction,
and drug seizure campaigns in both countries.
1.2 Both governments will study methods used in both countries
to estimate illicit crops, including the exchange of technical information
and methodology.
-
The Governments of Mexico and the United States will evaluate programs
for the acquisition/transfer of eradication equipment with a view to strengthening
the capability of agencies responsible for eradication with due regard
for their technical requirements.
-
The Governments of Mexico and the United States will promote the development
of programs to prevent the cultivation and production of illicit drugs
in communities where such activities can occur.
-
The Governments of Mexico and the United States will seek to compile a
better information base on organizations and individuals engaged in drug
crop cultivation and refining of these illicit products.
