State leads in fentanyl seizures
The State of Baja California leads the nation in fentanyl seizures and is one of the top in arrests of individuals in possession of such drugs.
The data was recently revealed by nonprofit organization Elementa DDHH that said the Mexican government strategy against drugs has failed.
In a study named Radiography of Prohibition, the NPO analyzed data from 2018 to 2024 of records issued by the Mexican Department of National Defense.
The report says the agency has arrested 728 individuals in possession of fentanyl in the last six years, La Voz newspaper reported. Of those arrests, 38.9% took place in Baja California, followed by the states of Sonora and Sinaloa. Together, the three states account for 83.6% of arrests, the report says, based on transparency records.
Elementa Mexico Executive Director Renata Demichelis told the newspaper the report sought to analyze actions and policies implemented by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador administration.
Demichelis said Baja California leads in seizures, arrests and consumption of fentanyl, which has made the state an epicenter of violence.
All in all, the Mexican agency has reported 33,067 arrests of people with drugs in the last six years, of which 12.17% took place in Baja California, just below the state of Guanajuato.
The agency has arrested 42,627 individuals for drug crimes, of which Baja California is first with 5,340.
Based on records from the National Public Safety Census, the NPO said non-violent possession of drug arrests increased, while high-profile, violent drug trafficking arrests diminished.
On average, from 2017 to 2022 the number of drug-related homicides in the nation recorded 30,000 per year, mostly occurring in Guanajuato, the State of Mexico, Baja California, Michoacan, and Chihuahua.
Nonprofit organization Verter, focused on treatment of drug addicts, reported along with the University of California in San Diego that from 2019 to 2021 about 464 individuals were treated for overdose in Mexicali. In 2022 the NPO reported 410 cases.
The newspaper added that drug overdose deaths increased 405% from 2017 to 2022 in Baja California, but the report does not indicate how many of those fatalities were related to fentanyl. However, the State Coroner’s Office has said from 40% to 50% of overdose death victims tested positive for fentanyl.
Demichelis told the newspaper Mexico’s drug strategy has failed due to being focused on prohibition and stigmatization.
Elementa included in its study over five dozen recommendations to address drug consumption which included legalization of certain drugs and turning drug crimes into misdemeanors.
Demichelis said while Mexico has spent more funds in taking individuals in possession of drugs to prison, no effort has been made to dismantle corruption networks that support the drug market.
The recommendations also include making law enforcement focus on removing legal attributes assigned to the Mexican Army to attack drug trafficking.
Governor speaks on murder of surfers
Baja California Governor Marina Avila spoke Thursday about the murder of two Australians and an American surfer that occurred last weekend.
In a press conference, the governor said her administration seeks to eradicate impunity for criminals who assault residents and visitors.
“Governing means assuming as its own issues of people who reside in
Baja California,” Gov. Avila said. “Just so we can be sensitive to understand and help those who need answers from their authorities.”
According to the Governor, since day one her administration has intensely worked to address all cases of violence and send criminals to prison.
The State Attorney General’s Office has filed charges against a suspect in the homicide that occurred in Ensenada. Three individuals have been declared as persons of interest in the case.
Gov. Avila said she understands pain and suffering of victim family members, to whom she expressed her condolences.
The governor went on to say her administration will keep promoting a public safety policy focused on addressing crime causes to reduce crime.
– Arturo Bojórquez, abojorquez@ivpressonline.com