MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS USING MILITARY WEAPONS INVESTIGATED
If you've watched the latest Netflix series Ozark, you might be a step ahead of the game. The Mexican government has recently discovered more military-grade weapons than ever amongst the rising problem of the Mexico drug cartel. Now, they are calling for an urgent investigation regarding how these weapons ended up in the possession of Mexican drug cartels.Suggested read: 3 Ways to Honor Victims on Holocaust Remembrance Day
Mexico’s Army Has Seized Over 280 Military-Grade Weapons
Since 2018, the Mexican army has found and seized a number of military-grade weapons from the Mexican drug cartels. Including over 50 grenade launchers, 221 automatic machine guns and 12 rocket launchers from the cartel.Ken Salazar, a US representative, announced that he just recently became aware of the problem last week after a meeting with Mexico. He did however make sure that this issue has taken priority and that the Biden administration would do everything they could to stop the Mexican drug cartels and smugglers from acquiring these weapons.In Boston, MA on Monday, January 22, the courts gave Mexico the upper hand when discussing legal action against U.S. gun shops and manufacturers. Mexico said these companies knew about the selling an smuggling of their weapons. This ultimately led to Mexican drug cartels having possession of the weapons.Related read: The Tommy Gun Is a Complicated, Important Part of American History
Protection of Lawful Commerce In Arms Act
However, they had protection from a 2005 law, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act also known as PLCAA. This law is in place to protect manufacturers from lawsuits “resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm.” Since these companies were aware of the sales being made, they were banking on that particular market instead of shutting it down. Now that they are back in appeals court in 2024, a $10 billion lawsuit is against 7 U.S. manufacturers and a distributor.
Actions Are Being Taken to Prevent Mexican Drug Cartels' Weapon Access
Mexican drug cartels obtaining U.S. weapons is nothing surprising. However, the surprise comes from how some of them are bragging about the weapons. All of these items are unavailable to U.S. citizens. Cartel members have openly shown the illegal weapons on social media. Aside from this, the Mexican army also has issues with the Mexican drug cartels creating homemade bomb drones as well as armored vehicles and even located a shop where they were being crafted.Defense Secretary Sandoval said in June, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel had possession of five rocket launchers and that the Sinaloa cartel had four others that the Mexican army could seize.Unfortunately, you can't prove that these weapons came from U.S. stockpiles. There is the potential that they came from the U.S. military or even drug cartels in the United States. There are many possibilities when it comes to how the weapons made their way to Mexico. In the 1980s, this was also an issue. Military weapons were disappearing from U.S. stockpiles, as the manufacturers were selling them abroad or possibly on the black market.Fortunately, the Mexican army still has authority. However, the Mexican drug cartels are now advancing in weaponry. They have now gained more powerful weapons than other branches of law enforcement. The U.S. is aiding in this investigation in every way possible.Read next: Michael Weimer to Testify About Living Conditions for Soldiers