Report: Most US Cocaine Shipped Through Mexico, Fueling Border Violence
SAN DIEGO (CBS) — The majority of cocaine smuggled into the U.S. every year is being shipped through Mexico and is the most likely source of increased violence along the southern California border, according to a new report released this week.
A report by the Rand Corporation shows drug syndicates have developed new shipment corridors to keep their trade booming despite anti-trafficking efforts by the federal government.
KNX 1070's Chris Sedens reports the study also pinpoints which South American nations are the biggest suppliers of the drug.
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While U.S. efforts have disrupted traditional smuggling routes through the Caribbean, much of the supply headed for the States now comes from Colombia, Peru and Bolivia before being shipped through Mexico.
Additionally, the trade is fueling more unrest and violence along the U.S.- Mexico border in what the study calls a "wholesale breakdown of basic civility across the country".
The report shows that drugs are now being smuggled in smaller shipments, which allows traffickers to spread the risk and better weather enforcement efforts.
In the past, if a big shipment was intercepted, traffickers were out of drugs — but now if one shipment is caught, there are nine others that will likely still get through.
