CROSS-BORDER METH CRACKDOWN HAILED

Authorities Cite Labs Dismantled, Arrests, Seizures

A cross-border crackdown on methamphetamine trafficking, production
and use has resulted in 834 arrests, the seizure of almost 40 pounds
of the stimulant and $100,000 in cash and the dismantling of three
drug labs, authorities announced yesterday.

Michael S. Vigil, a special agent with the Drug Enforcement
Administration, said the effort during February and March involved
cooperation from U.S. and Mexican authorities in a new coalition
approach to the problem.

"Methamphetamine abuse has become a blizzard of global proportions and
has taken the lives of many citizens in myriad countries," Vigil told
a news conference at DEA headquarters in Kearny Mesa. "We are working
on global strategies and solutions with both local and international
coalitions to end the storm."

Of the 834 arrests, 164 were in Tijuana, Vigil said. All were for
trafficking.

The three labs were busted in Mexico - which underscores a change in
the production pattern of the drug, also known as speed.

"Meth has a long history in San Diego, once regarded as the meth
capital of the world," Vigil said.

At one time, more meth labs were seized in San Diego County than
anywhere else.

"This is no longer true," Vigil said. "Much of the meth now available
here comes from Mexico, and Mexican nationals are major distributors
of the drug."

Dubbed Operation Speed Bump, the effort also focused on treatment,
parole and probation violators and education.

Seventy-five meth abusers from Baja California were enrolled in a
treatment program as part of the operation, said Antonio
Mendoza-Chavez of the Mexican federal attorney general's office.

"Meth abuse and production has become a substantial problem in Mexico
and we are very serious about continuing this international
partnership with the United States to deal with it," he said.

As part of the crackdown, the San Diego County Probation Department
contacted 104 people on probation or parole for meth-related charges,
resulting in 42 re-arrests and 20 arrests on new felony trafficking
charges.

During the operation, representatives from San Diego and Tijuana also
made appearances at schools and spoke with parent-teacher groups and
civic organizations on both sides of the border to increase public
awareness. Informational literature was distributed.

A new campaign using bus bench ads to get out the word on the dangers
of meth has been introduced, along with a campaign to promote the
toll-free hotline, (877) NO2-METH, which handles calls for treatment
and reports meth cookers, dealers and users.

It's the users who most concern officials, because they create a
demand for the drug, which can cost as little as $40 a gram.

"We are going to make users an offer they can't refuse," Vigil said.
"Either seek treatment or end up in jail."