Editor’s note: Tune in to our special coverage on Wednesday as Anderson reports live from Mexico on AC360° at 10 p.m. ET.
The New York Times
Randal C. Archibold
Sgt. David Azuelo stepped gingerly over the specks of blood on the floor, took note of the bullet hole through the bedroom skylight, raised an eyebrow at the lack of furniture in the ranch-style house and turned to his squad of detectives investigating one of the latest home invasions in this southern Arizona city.
A 21-year-old man had been pistol-whipped throughout the house, the gun discharging at one point, as the attackers demanded money, the victim reported. His wife had been bathing their 3-month-old son when the intruders arrived.
“At least they didn’t put the gun in the baby’s mouth like we’ve seen before,” Sergeant Azuelo said. That same afternoon this month, his squad was called to the scene of another home invasion, one involving the abduction of a 14-year-old boy.
| Amy |
March 24th, 2009 11:20 am ET For a the past 9-10 years we have traveled by car every summer from the midwest to Guadalajara across the Laredo Texas border crossing ( we have never had a problem) even with other border towns having lots of violence Lardo was always safer...but now with the growing violence we will fly. Which is too bad because we really enjoy the drive. |
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| Rick |
March 24th, 2009 11:53 am ET The US has its back to the wall on this one. Putting all the Agents and military on the boarder will not solve the violence or stop the flow of drugs and guns. Its going to have to be war with Mexico or legalize the drugs.Start with Marijuana for one. Tax it state and Federal. It will be a hard one to swallow for some Americans. But they will have to bite their bottom lip on this. Or stay in a war they will never win.Costing American tax payers Billions more. |
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| trey roberts |
March 24th, 2009 12:50 pm ET The problem isnt mexico. The problem is the drug use in America. |
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| Ron Illinois |
March 24th, 2009 12:52 pm ET Maybe we should have invaded Mexico instead of Iraq. The Mexican government is corrupt and always has been. Its a third world country with that same mentality. Their gangs are invading our country and we do little to stop this. Our President took an oath to protect America from all enemies, that includes our neighbors if necessary. Mexico is becoming a large threat to the United States and we should let their government know that if they can't stop their war lords and drug lords that we can. They know who they are and they can't catch them. We have thousands of troops trained to hunt down and dispose of these people once and for all. The people that run these Cartels live on large estates with mansions and guards all around. Real hard to find........................... |
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| Jim |
March 24th, 2009 1:06 pm ET I say use our Wonderfull technology, Pin point the Drug Cartells, Their Members & take them out. It's either them or us & as they don't like leaving survivors neitrher should we., Put a Bounty on Drug Dealers in the U.S. If We see a Drug deal going down we should be allowed to shot on sight. |
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| Dawn |
March 24th, 2009 2:36 pm ET I heard that mexico is suppose to get 700 million,you all talk about mexico but why cant you talk about the american citizens and futhermore use some of that money to help americans get off these drugs that mexico has brought in to the U.S. for instances how people in ky are getting treated get caught with drugs get a felony charge and locked up and then their lives are ruined because of their addiction.Hardly noone will hire a felonist.Do we have to be a foreign country before we can get help? |
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| John Charles Smith |
March 24th, 2009 2:39 pm ET Anderson: Your comments on the Mexican drug cartel is very interesting. Their activities in Mexico are not only affecting crime in the US but in Canada as well, particularly in the Vancouver area. Unfortunately Vancouver has always been the drug capital of Canada, because it is a major seaport, and has a large number of ethnic groups, especially Asian & South Asian people who seem to be involved in this business at a higher rate than other enthnic groups. |
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| Michael "C" Lorton, VA |
March 24th, 2009 2:51 pm ET It is a dangerous and violent business--and those who choose to take that path--it is the price they pay for the life they choose. |
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| Jaime Rueda |
March 24th, 2009 2:58 pm ET America, you want to stop this drug war? |
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| william swain |
March 24th, 2009 3:13 pm ET AC360 -at this point you are our last hope for the truth to be reveal. The |
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| joe ontiveros |
March 24th, 2009 4:29 pm ET Have you ever wonder, why the USA Government, never arrest any |
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| Mike Cardona |
March 24th, 2009 6:08 pm ET Mr. Anderson Cooper |
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| Mike Cardona |
March 24th, 2009 6:18 pm ET Plain and simple to all of those of you who haved marked this page with "We should rehab the whole country". While there are dangerous drug we can only educate and let our children know the difference. The main income for these Cartels is Marijuana. A plant that is safer then alchool . For all of you critics:Do you not remember when alchool was illegal here in the states and the mob ran it anyway?. It is the exact same thing.There are countries in which marijuana is legal and not any other drugs. We should tax it and let the Government profit so we can start paying the deficit. Everyone stop focusing on the problem and lets start talking about answers. |
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| Sydney |
March 24th, 2009 6:25 pm ET If we stop providing the Meican drug cartels with guns, money and drug addicts from America then we would not have this problem. Wake up this problem started here in America and has spread like a virus to other countries. |
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| Alisa |
March 24th, 2009 6:46 pm ET Drugs are only a part of what is dangerous. Don't forget the guns–AK-47's, semi-automatics...There needs to be just as much gusto on the American side as the Mexican side because the arms dealers are originating here in the U.S. I would suggest putting a temporary ban on high powered guns, just until the violence has deescalated. I know, I know... we have a right to bear arms (especially with the cartel violence & I don't blame a person for wanting one), but there is an out of control arms race to the border that needs to be tamped down so blood shed in minimized. Then start addressing how we can overcome the minds of those young arms or drug dealers that get thousands of dollars pushed in their pockets to do the dirty deed. This goes hand in hand with fixing our economy because those few hundred or few thousand dollars can sure pay the bills, and if they are not on a viable payroll, then they will be on the payroll of the cartel & they know this, that's why these cartel's have spread like wildfire across the U.S. Las Cruces, New Mexico |
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