Map of states involved in Project CoronadoPost 4:
In 2005 the United States passed the “Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act”. The purpose of this act was to limit the sale of legal drugs that contain pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, a main ingredient in the production of methamphetamine. Since the implementation of this act those drugs containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine are kept behind the counter enabling pharmacies to monitor who buys the drugs as well as the quantities they purchase.[1] The act was a major blow to methamphetamine manufacturers in the United States, but it was also a major business opportunity for one Mexican drug cartel.
La Familia Michoacana (La Familia) is one of Mexico’s newest and most brutal drug cartels. La Familia produce methamphetamines which are then smuggled into the United States and sold by the thousands of foot soldiers contracted by La Familia. According to Time Magazine, “La Familia is estimated to export as much as half of the 200 tons of crystal meth that enter the US from Mexico each year”.[2] La Familia exports all of their meth to the United States, none of their product is used by Mexico residents.
La Familia has been in recent headlines with the culmination of Project Coronado. Project Coronado was a four year multi-agency effort targeting the sale of meth by La Familia.
Project Coronado Results:[3]
· Arrests: 1,186
· Money seized: $32.8 million US dollars
· Drugs seized: 2,710 pounds of methamphetamines
1,999 kilos of cocaine
29 pounds of heroin
16,390 pounds of marijuana
· Weapons seized: 389
· Vehicles seized: 269
La Familia Cartel took a major hit with Project Coronado, by targeting La Familia the US agencies targeted the major source of methamphetamines. The numbers show that Project Coronado was a major success.
The use of methamphetamines is a problem the United States has been trying to minimize and its first step was by making the ingredients for meth less accessible. By regulating the sale of ephedrine the United States managed to eliminate major meth labs located in the United States, but this did not end the usage of methamphetamines. Much like gangs during prohibition, La Familia was able to supply the demand for methamphetamines by the United States. Time will tell as to whether Project Coronado will decrease the use of methamphetamines.
La Familia Michoacana (La Familia) is one of Mexico’s newest and most brutal drug cartels. La Familia produce methamphetamines which are then smuggled into the United States and sold by the thousands of foot soldiers contracted by La Familia. According to Time Magazine, “La Familia is estimated to export as much as half of the 200 tons of crystal meth that enter the US from Mexico each year”.[2] La Familia exports all of their meth to the United States, none of their product is used by Mexico residents.
La Familia has been in recent headlines with the culmination of Project Coronado. Project Coronado was a four year multi-agency effort targeting the sale of meth by La Familia.
Project Coronado Results:[3]
· Arrests: 1,186
· Money seized: $32.8 million US dollars
· Drugs seized: 2,710 pounds of methamphetamines
1,999 kilos of cocaine
29 pounds of heroin
16,390 pounds of marijuana
· Weapons seized: 389
· Vehicles seized: 269
La Familia Cartel took a major hit with Project Coronado, by targeting La Familia the US agencies targeted the major source of methamphetamines. The numbers show that Project Coronado was a major success.
The use of methamphetamines is a problem the United States has been trying to minimize and its first step was by making the ingredients for meth less accessible. By regulating the sale of ephedrine the United States managed to eliminate major meth labs located in the United States, but this did not end the usage of methamphetamines. Much like gangs during prohibition, La Familia was able to supply the demand for methamphetamines by the United States. Time will tell as to whether Project Coronado will decrease the use of methamphetamines.
Works Cited:
[1] FDA. Legal requirements for the sale and purchase of drug products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and
phenylpropanolamine.
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm072423.htm.
[2] Grillo, I. & Padgett, T. A major blow to Mexico’s masters of meth.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1932030,00.html
[3] Department of Justice. More than 300 alleged La Familia members and associates arrested in two-day nationwide
takedown.
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/October/09-ag-1135.html
phenylpropanolamine.
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm072423.htm.
[2] Grillo, I. & Padgett, T. A major blow to Mexico’s masters of meth.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1932030,00.html
[3] Department of Justice. More than 300 alleged La Familia members and associates arrested in two-day nationwide
takedown.
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/October/09-ag-1135.html
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