President Biden says “White supremacists are the most lethal threat to America.” Are white supremacists killing, on average, 302 young American every day? Why won’t our president talk about the threat from Mexican narco-terrorists who are systematically killing us with opioids and responsible for 110,236 deaths in 2022. If there was any other single issue causing 302 deaths daily of young people the nation would be up in arms demanding the president take immediate action.
No president in our history has knowingly and deliberately threatened our national security to this degree.
BACKGROUND: The Mexican Cartels are a narco-terrorist organization operating inside the U.S. and they are gaining ground every day.
By comparison, ISIS is a terrorist organization that took up lodging in Syria and Iraq and created a separate state from 2014 through 2017. The U.S. was instrumental in eliminating ISIS leaders and collapsing their caliphate.
The cartels in Mexico have essentially done the same thing as ISIS. The primary actors are the Sinaloa Cartel, for many years the most dominant drug trafficking organization in Mexico. Cartel Jalisco is the emerging power; engaged in drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, oil pipeline tapping and general criminal activity. Additionally in the mix is the Los Zetas Cartel, Gulf Cartel and Juarez Cartel. All are engaged in holding their current territory and/or expanding their territory thus creating one of the most violent areas in the world today with an enormous impact on the Mexican economy and society as a whole.
The Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels have each split into 35-40 subordinate cells each with a chain of command similar to paramilitary organizations.
In addition to the cartels, over the past few years there have been about 400 new gangs and splinter groups formed to challenge the cartels; all of which has overwhelmed Mexican law enforcement.
A footnote to all of this is that fentanyl has changed everything. It is so profitable and can be moved in such small quantities thereby making the cartels even more empowered and enriched.
So, what are Mexican and American leaders doing about all this?
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, elected in 2018, has undertaken a non-confrontational security strategy against some of the most violent originations in the world, which he has referred to as “hugs not guns.” February 28th 2023, during his morning briefing President Lopez Obrador stated, “Here we do not produce fentanyl, and we do not have consumption of fentanyl.” Surprise, his “hugs” strategy is not working. President Biden’s response to the narco-terrorists is, “the border is secure.” Let’s call it the head-in-the-sand security strategy. Both are pathetic, disappointing, an insult to our intelligence and clearly in violation of their oaths of office.
On March 3rd, four U.S. citizens were kidnapped in Mexico; two of them were killed. At his daily news conference President Lopez Obrador said “we are working and cooperating with our American counterparts.”; but that his government wouldn’t allow “foreign countries” to intervene.
On 7 March Senator Lindsey Graham said he will introduce a bill in Congress to set the stage for the U.S. to use military force in Mexico.
On 9 March Lopez Obrador called plans for U.S. military action against the cartels, “irresponsible.”
On 13 March Lopez Obrador made additional comments, “Mexico is safer than the United States; there is no problem traveling safely in Mexico.” By the way, Mexico’s nationwide homicide rate is 28 per 100,000 inhabitants while the U.S. is one quarter as high.
On 18 March President Lopez Obrador spoke out again with these words of wisdom to sum up the fentanyl problem in America, “There’s a disintegration of families; there is a lot of individualism, there is a lack of love, of brotherhood, of hugs and embraces.” Then he went on to promise Republicans they will not see a single vote from Mexican or Hispanic voters living in the U.S.
The Biden administration never misses an opportunity to show off a confiscated shipment of drugs from Mexico. A recent event included more than 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 140 pounds of fentanyl powder, 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and 135 kilograms of cocaine in all, totaling a street value of roughly $13 million. But the take-away form this comes from Anthony Coulson, a retired DEA special agent, who pointed out that. “A $13 million loss won’t stop the Sinaloa cartel, first because it’s a drop in the bucket, and second, because this is to be expected. An insignificant loss such as this is just a normal part of their operation.”
What the Biden Administration will not do is speculate on the estimated quantity of drugs that do not get confiscated.
CARTELS, HOW THEY OPERATE:
The cartels are violent organizations engaged almost continuously in turf battles with rival cartels. Additionally, cartels are known to use a portion of their vast profits to pay off judges, police, military and politicians. Should the individuals reject the bribe their families will likely be at risk of torture, kidnapping or worse.
U.S. gangs have an important role in cartel ops. The FBI reports there are about 33,000 violent street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs criminally active in the U.S. today with about 1.4 million members. Additionally, the number of street gang members is increasing in 49% of FBI jurisdictions. Many gangs are sophisticated and well organized; all use violence to control neighborhoods and boost their illegal money-making activities, which include robbery, drug and gun trafficking, prostitution and human trafficking.
The relationship between the U.S. gangs and the cartels is that the gangs represent an in-place nation-wide resource of foot soldiers for drug distribution and street sales.
Cartels excel at getting drugs over the border; then, for the most part, they cede operations in the U.S. to local or regional groups. The Drug Enforcement Agency’s 2023 assessment is that Mexican Cartels have operations in at least 60 American cities.
There are no accurate estimates of the cartels’ income but it is certainly in the billions of dollars.
Most of the illicit drugs entering the U.S. that are seized by authorities are discovered at the 300-plus official ports of entry. More than 90% of the Meth, fentanyl and heroin seized is at ports of entry.
THE FENTANYL TRIP:
Fentanyl, which often gets mixed with heroin or cocaine is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. It’s also cheaper to produce than either of those drugs.
In 2022, a record-setting 14,700 pounds of fentanyl shipments was seized by US Customs and Border Protection agents; there has already been 12,500 pounds confiscated in 2023. But that’s just a fraction of what enters the U.S.
Here’s how fentanyl gets from China to America’s streets; data taken from an article in the NEW YORK POST, February 18, 2023 by Michael Kaplan.
STEP 1: China to the west coast of Mexico.
Chinese chemists produce powdered chemicals known as “precursors” that are fentanyl’s building blocks. It is not unusual for the precursors to be packages looking like dog food.
Approximate value of the precursor, $200 per kilogram It is interesting to watch the price grow as the journey continues so I will print them in bold type.
STEP 2: Mexico,
There is so much corruption at the ports that a couple hundred bucks will make authorities look the other way as chemicals are unloaded.
“Laboratory” is a glorified word for the Mexican fentanyl production facilities. Much of the fentanyl is brewed outside in pots over open flames where the “cook” tries to stay up-wind in order to live through the process The drugs get diluted, mixed with other chemicals and the final product is either powder or fentanyl pressed into pills that resemble pharmaceuticals or candy.
Approximate value per kilogram: $3,000 to $5,000 (depending on purity).
STEP 3: Crossing the border.
Drug dealers routinely stash the fentanyl in trucks, usually mixed in with other shipping products. With 200,000 vehicles crossing the Mexico/US border each day, it’s not difficult for the deadly cargo to slip through.
Approximate value per kilogram: $20,000
STEP 4: Urban hubs. Once over the border, the idea is to quickly reach a drop-off spot. For example, before drugs enter New York City, there is often a distribution point where the trucker will rendezvous with smaller vehicles.
Approximate value per kilogram: $35,000
STEP 5: Drug mills
Inside apartments, houses, garages, wherever it is convenient, fentanyl is cut with adulterants and sealed in glassine (smooth and glossy paper that is air, water and grease resistant) envelopes that contain single-sized doses. A crew of 12 can package 100,000 glassines in 24
hours. On the street a glassine packet becomes a $10 sale.
One glassine usually contains less than two milligrams of fentanyl. Keep in mind that there are 28,000 milligrams in one ounce. According to the DEA, two milligrams of fentanyl constitute a lethal dose.
Approximate value per kilogram: $300,000
STEP 6: From the streets to the user. This is where U.S. gangs become an important part of the cartels’ distribution plan.
Wholesalers’ pick-up glassine-enveloped goods from the drug mill and then meet up with their street dealers. Street dealers make approximately $2 for each $10 bag of fentanyl that they sell to their customers.
Approximate value per kilogram: $1 million; from $200 per kilogram leaving China to $1 million on U.S. streets.
And once on the streets, fentanyl is killing, on average, 200 young Americans every day.
AUTHORITY TO USE THE U.S. MILITARY IN MEXICO:
Can the U.S. use military force inside Mexico to defeat the cartels? Former Attorney General William Barr, I assume after extensive research by his Justice Department staff, believes so. In 2020 he wrote;
“What will it take to defeat the Mexican cartels? First, a far more aggressive American effort inside Mexico than ever before, including a significant U.S. law-enforcement and intelligence presence, as well as select military capabilities. Optimally, the Mexican government will support and participate in this effort, and it is likely to do so once they understand that the U.S. is committed to do whatever is necessary to cripple the cartels, whether or not the Mexican government participates.
Second, the danger cartels pose to the U.S. requires that we confront them primarily as national-security threats, not a law-enforcement matter. These narco-terrorist groups are more like ISIS than like the American mafia. The only way to defeat them is to use every tool at our disposal inside Mexico.”
Constitutional War Powers, Article II, Section 2 grants the President the power to direct the military after a declaration of war by Congress.
Presidential Policy Guidance on Procedures for Approving Direct Action Against Terrorist Targets Located Outside the United States and Areas of Active Hostilities (PPG): Put into place under the Obama administration, the PPG established standard operating procedures for circumstances when the U.S. takes direct action against terrorist targets outside of the US and outside of areas of active hostilities.
Article 51 of the United Nations Charter specifies that, “Nothing in this Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs.” The U.S. interpretation of the Charter recognizes three circumstances under which the use of force is permitted: 1) the use of force authorized by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter; 2) the use of force in self-defense, including against imminent attacks; and 3) the use of force in an otherwise lawful manner with the consent of the territorial state.
Some examples of the U.S. engaging terrorists in foreign nations in the past:
Somalia. Operations against al-Shabaab terrorists with the consent of the government of Somalia in furtherance of U.S. national self-defense.
Libya. Operations against Daesh were conducted 2015-2019 with the consent of the Government of National Accord in furtherance of U.S. national self-defense.
Yemen. Operations against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have been conducted since 2015.
Given the above, one could argue that the cartels have become a clear and present danger to the United States; that Congress has acknowledged inherent executive power in accordance with the Joint Resolution passed by Congress on September 14, 2001 which states the President may deploy military force preemptively against terrorist organizations in the states that harbor or support them, whether or not they can be linked to the specific terrorist incidents of September 11.
CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE USE OF OUR MILITARY IN MEXICO:
Begin by defining the overarching Rules of Engagement, ROE.
- Trust no one. Too many Mexican politicians, law enforcement and military at all levels are on the cartels’ payroll, accepting bribes and/or living under threat of violence for themselves and their families.
Case in point: A former Mexican presidential cabinet member, Garcia Luna, was convicted February 2023 in the U.S. for taking bribes to protect the violent drug cartels. He has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Note he was convicted in the U.S., not in Mexico.
2. The second ROE is to secretly develop detailed strategic and tactical plans before any U.S. forces are introduced into Mexico.
3. Conduct Mexico-wide operations without a significant military foot-print inside Mexico.
4. Do all of this with, at least, tacit approval by President Lopez Obrador.
5. All of the planning and on into execution must be Close Hold, Need-to-Know only. There will be no media briefs in order to preserve and protect military Opsec, Operational Security.
January 2023 , Reps. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, and Michael Waltz, R-Fla., introduced a joint resolution authorizing Biden to use military force to combat the cartels pumping fentanyl and other similar, dangerous substances across the border. Pass this resolution ASAP.
March 2023, Senator Lindsey Graham announced he would introduce legislation designating Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and granting Biden authority to use American troops in Mexico. Pass this legislation ASAP.
Having passed the above legislation, Presidents Biden and Lopez Obrador should secretly meet for a weekend working session at Biden’s home in Delaware. The Biden team should consist of the JSOC Commander (Joint Special Operations Command), CIA Director and the Director of National Intelligence. Of course, there could be a very long list of senior government officials (Sec Def, Joint Chiefs, Secretary Homeland Security, etc. etc.) who believe they should be included. But therein lies a big problem. Each would have subordinates working on remarks, power point slides, fact sheets, position papers, etc. Questions would be asked down the chains of command and within a few days thousands would be on the Close Hold, Need-to-Know list followed by headlines in the Washington Post, NY Times, CNN, etc. The cartels would be ready and negative world opinion (China, Russia, etc.) would flood back to President Biden.
The point of the meeting is for President Biden to assert to his Mexican counterpart that his country is in serious trouble, his government has lost control of large sections of territory, it is getting worse, it is negatively impacting the U.S. and we have no intentions of having a narco-terrorists nation, the likes of ISIS, on our southern border. We are not asking for permission but very much want Lopez Obrador’s blessing and cooperation.
President Biden then turns the meeting over to the JSOC Commander who will explain that tanks will not be rolling south, the 82nd Airborne Division will not be parachuting into Sinaloa State, and we have no intention to subsume control of Mexico.
Commander JSOC will go on to explain that the military footprint inside Mexico will be almost invisible. This will be a war fought at night by special operations forces; namely, Navy Seals, Marine Force Recon, Army Rangers, Army Special Forces and Army Delta Force. You will not see US military vehicles patrolling your countryside, road blocks, checkpoints, or military formations attacking Cartel militias.
President Biden interjects to explain that what President Lopez Obrador will see and hear is that Cartel leaders are missing, their chains of command are being killed and captured, incoming supplies and outgoing products are not on schedule, production facilities are disappearing and cartels are blaming other cartels for a takeover of their territory. This will allow Mexican military and law enforcement to go on the offensive and regain control of territory and generally reduce the violence.
The meeting will then be turned over to the Director of National Intelligence who will explain that every operational collection element of the U.S. intelligence inventory will be focused on Mexico. These intel capabilities will be temporarily placed under the operational control of a special intel task force for Operation Cartel. Of particular importance will be Humint, Human intelligence. Because of the decentralized, mom-and-pop production of fentanyl powder and tablets, we need a nation-wide Humint collection effort. Find a production facility today, take it out tonight. Find a collection point today, take it out tonight. Locate cartel leaders, at every level, today take them out tonight.
The Director of National Intelligence will go on to explain that every intel organization in the U.S. will be tasked to provide all of their individuals of Latin American heritage to be temporarily assigned to a CIA-led Operation Cartel task force for human intel collection. They will be given credentials for in-country personal security, inserted into communities all over Mexico, begin building local cells and reporting findings.
Drones of every size and capability will fill the sky; surveillance drones with real-time downlinks to Special Operations forces on the ground; drones armed with 16 Hellfire missiles in the air and on station for immediate use by ground forces against high-value targets and targets of opportunity.
Tell the Mexican president that nothing that has been discussed during the meeting will be disclosed to the media and especially not to his subordinates; politicians, military or law enforcement. The first ROE will be immediately applicable; trust no one.
The applicable elements of the U.S. government will begin immediately to transform the concept into a phased plan for execution of actionable intelligence. Every element will be placed under the operational control of he JSOC Commander for phase 1, planning (about six weeks) and throughout the execution phases. The intent is to begin operations with a Mexico-wide shock-and-awe attack on headquarters, production facilities, collection/distribution points and supply chains to immediately put the cartels on their heels and in a defensive mode. Then increase the operational tempo to the maximum extent.
CONCLUSIONS:
Mexico is in deep trouble. Cartels are gaining ground every day and Lopez Obrador’s strategy of, “Hugs, not guns” is going nowhere at the speed of heat. The U.S. has no plan. The U.S. and Mexico must help each other. Put the cartels back on their heels and give Mexico’s law enforcement and military the confidence to wade in and finish the job.
While taking out the cartels, the U.S. must completely rethink its operations at the 300-plus ports of entry. Over 90% of all the hard drugs confiscated is accomplished at the ports of entry. While that is good news, it also implies that there is such an enormous volume that gets by and on the streets.
Going back to a previous note, the FBI reports there are about 33,000 violent street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs criminally active in the U.S. today with about 1.4 million members. We desperately need to do something about that. One suggestion: Designate criminal gangs as domestic terrorists. Humint in local communities should readily reveal the leaders’ names. The FBI should arrest them, eventually have them tried, convicted and locked up. When the replacement leaders emerge, ditto. At some point there will be a lot less than 33,000 gangs. The upside of this is that the cartels will lose their drug distribution/sales foot soldiers and secondly, the overall crime wave across the nation should abate.
The Drug Enforcement Agency has to do more and better. If DEA, border patrol and the FBI need more people, take the 87,000 that were planning to be needlessly added to the IRS.
None of this will matter unless President Biden will do a one-eighty and close the damned border and move towards accomplishing the president’s number one priority; the safety and security of all Americans.
BOTTOM LINE:
This plan is a futile effort. Biden is hell-bent on keeping the border open and thereby being complicit in supporting the Mexican cartels and simultaneously endangering an important neighbor and our second largest trading partner.
Marvin L. Covault, Lt Gen US Army, retired, is the author of two books, Vision to Execution and Fix the Systems, Transform America as well as the author of a blog, WeThePeopleSpeaking.com.