Several sources reported that the Mexican army arrested notorious drug trafficker Luis Héctor Palma Salazar in June 1995 (U.S. Mexico Free Trade Reporter 30 June 1995; Chicago Tribune 25 June 1995; Orlando Sentinel 25 June 1995; Reuters 24 June 1995; San Francisco Chronicle 26 June 1995). The army also apparently arrested the head of judicial police in the state of Jalisco (U.S. Mexico Free Trade Reporter 30 June 1995) and several other federal agents who were protecting the drug trafficker (Chicago Tribune 25 June 1995; San Francisco Chronicle 26 June 1995). In 1996, two sources indicated that the Mexican army was committed to the drug fight; however, aside from the fact that the army destroyed opium and marijuana fields (Los Angeles Times 12 Dec. 1996; Reuters 10 Sept. 1996), no specific information on the nature of the army's anti-drug operations could be found within the time constraints for this Response.

An article published on 7 August 1997 in The Economist indicated that, at the time, the army played "an unprecedented role in the war against drugs." The article also reported "heavy-handed assaults led by the army on the houses of suspected criminals," but it did not specify whether those persons were linked to the drug trade (The Economist 7 Aug. 1997). It did note, however, that because of the scandals provoked by the links between certain military leaders and drug traffickers, the Mexican government planned to entrust the war against drugs to a new civilian-led organization (ibid.).

In 1992, SourceMex indicated that, in 1991, the Mexican army had arrested some 800 people on drug trafficking charges (15 Jan. 1992). However, that information could not be corroborated within the time constraints for this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Chicago Tribune. 25 June 1995. "Major Drug Dealer Arrested in Mexico." (Factiva)

The Economist [London]. 7 August 1997. "Drug-Shocked." http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=153411 [Accessed 21 July 2005]

Los Angeles Times. 12 December 1996. Mark Fineman. "U.S.-Mexico Drug Summit OKs Greater Cooperation." (Factiva)

Orlando Sentinel. 25 June 1995. "2 Reputed Drug Cartel Leaders in Custody in Colombia, Mexico." (Factiva)

Reuters. 10 September 1996. "Mexico Weighs Buying More Russian Helicopters." (Factiva)

_____. 24 June 1995. "Mexico Grabs Drug Baron Wanted in Cardinal Slaying." (Factiva)

The San Francisco Chronicle. 26 June 1995. "In Mexican Underworld, Drug Dealers and Cops Work Hand-in-Hand." (Factiva)

SourceMex. 15 January 1992. "Defense Ministry Reports on 1991 Anti-Drug Activities." University of New Mexico, Latin American Institute, Latin American Database. (Factiva)

U.S. Mexico Free Trade Reporter [Concord, MA]. 30 June 1995. Vol. 5, No. 12. Mark Stevenson. "Mexico's Political Troubles Threaten Investment." (Factiva)

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International, BBC Mundo, Diario del Istmo [Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz], European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI.net), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Latinamerica Press [Lima], Liberal del Sur [Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz], Mexico and NAFTA Report [London], La Opinión [Poza Rica Chacos, Veracruz], Reforma [Mexico City], United States Department of State, El Universal [Mexico City], World News Connection (WNC).