Mexican Federal Police (PGR) have admitted that a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent was involved in a recent drug bust in Ciudad Juarez, but only as a civilian observer, not in any official capacity, according to recent reports in El Norte. However, PGR official Arturo Chavez Chavez confirmed that some of the information used by PGR officers came from the DEA and that information released to the press about the November drug bust at the Abraham Lincoln airport, was provided by the DEA. The issue of U.S. law enforcement operating in Mexican territory has been a subject of controversy in Mexico for many years.
A subdirector for the PGR and the second in command of Mexico's Drug Enforcement Police, however, categorially denied any involvement by U.S. DEA agents, but admitted that a DEA agent was present during the operation as a civilian. Government General Secretary, Eduardo Romero, admitted to knowing the DEA was active in Mexican Territory, but stated he did not have any more information on the subject.
Both the PRD and the PRI reacted to the news with condemnation of any actions by the DEA in Mexican Territory, while the PAN said they agreed with bi-national cooperation. The PRD has complained for years about Mexican Federal authorities allowing the intervention of U.S. police. The PRI demanded an explanation from the PGR on the intervention of DEA agents.
A Juarez official from the National Immigration Institute in Mexico, Ricardo Vazquez Santiesteban, denied that U.S. officers are operating undercover in support of the Procuraduria General de Republica (PGR). He added that it is illegal for U.S. law enforcement officers to work in any official capacity within Mexican Territory. To do so would be an "invasion of the sovereignty of the country". But he added, if they are present in a civilian capacity there is no problem.
In the bust, Teresa Arreola Soto, was arrested in possession of a large amount of heroin. She later declared she did not know the four business men she had originally accused of being responsible for the drugs found with her. Arreola said a man from the PGR made her accuse the four men, and she agreed because she was scared of any harm. The four men were Lorenzo Rodriguez, director of Plaza Juarez Hotel, Oscar Velez, sub-coordinator for the promotion of tourism economy for the state, Jose Gonzalez, chef for Ajua restaurant, and Anguiano Romero.
Source: El Norte