Last week, United States and Mexican government officials signed an agreement concerning cross-border drug crimes, an agreement with implications for gun dealers along the U.S.-Mexican border.
“The letter of intent recommends a joint strategic plan in weapons and ammunition trafficking investigations,” San Antonio Express-News reported. “The letter was signed during the last day of a convention for Border Security Task Force (BEST) teams, which are led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
“This will leverage the investigative capabilities of both governments and launch a more unified effort in investigating weapons smuggling cases,” Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said.
As part of that agreement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced it would send an untold number of agents to South Texas. According to KRGV Television, “[T]he new agents will arrive in the next four months. These agents will be inspecting about 1,000 licensed gun dealers. Federal officials want to make sure gun dealers are keeping the required paperwork so guns recovered from crimes and raids in Mexico and along the border can be traced.”
US/Mex agreement, San Antonio Express-News 8/14/09:
ATF border gun shops, KRGV TV abc in Weslaco TX, 8/14/09:
