Criminal Justice Report 2022

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

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Executive Summary
This paper will discuss about the transnational crimes that is having impact on the
international relations between the two nations. This report will illustrate the transnational
crimes in Mexico where it has been found that drug trafficking, and human trafficking are the
two major crimes. Due to these congress of Mexico will face certain kinds of issues. Some of
these issues are economic issues, threat to national security, corruption, violence and damage
to the trade relations with United States. This report will also provide information about the
international and domestic laws on these two crimes. In the last section of the report there is
illustration of the way in which intelligence agencies and law enforcements could support
congress and the way in which intelligence agencies could support law enforcements to
reduce the numbers of transnational crimes especially at the border areas of United States and
Mexico.

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Content
s
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Definition of the term............................................................................................................................3
Background of Transnational crimes in Mexico....................................................................................4
Potential Congressional Issues for the 117th Congress...........................................................................5
Economic issues................................................................................................................................5
Violence............................................................................................................................................6
Threat to national security.................................................................................................................6
Corruption.........................................................................................................................................7
Trade relations with United States.....................................................................................................7
Relevant International laws...................................................................................................................7
Domestic Laws......................................................................................................................................8
Intelligence agencies support congress..................................................................................................8
Law enforcement support the congress..................................................................................................9
Intelligence supports law enforcements.............................................................................................10
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................10
References...........................................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
International relations have become complex. The issues such as transnational crimes are not
letting the international relations to become positive. There are many countries that are under
the pressure to manage the crime in the society not because they are affecting their own
country but their impact on the other countries as well. Mexico is one of those countries that
have higher crime rate (Reichel & Albanese, 2013). From the decades this country has been
losing on the grounds of international relations due to higher numbers of crimes happening in
the country. It is also due to this that they have not able to make good relations with USA.
This is because USA has been stating them continuously about the narcotics smuggling,
human trafficking that has been done through the Mexican border. This report will address
about the transnational crimes that are increasing in Mexico. There will be description of the
potential congressional issues that will be faced by the Mexican congress. It will also
highlight the international laws and the domestic laws that are against the transnational
crimes.
Definition of the term
Transnational crimes are understood to be the set of crimes that has the potential impact
across the national borders as well as the crimes that intrastate but violates the basic values of
the international community. TOC or the transnational organised crimes specifically address
to the transnational crimes that are done by some kind of criminal firms. These types of
crimes are also the crimes that might occur in one nation but can have significant impact on
the other nations as well and hence they also gets involved in this (Haken, 2011). Some of the
most common type of transnational crimes includes human trafficking, narcotics smuggling,
arms smuggling, terrorism etc. The transnational crimes are also considered to be the crimes
of customary international law or international crimes when committed in specific conditions.
This can be understood by the example that in specific conditions framed as crimes against
the humanity. This is more often understood to be as the problems of the failed state which
does not have control over the increasing crimes in the society. In the failed and failing states
they are unable to control the criminals which are operating in their nation. These states are
unable to prosecute the offenders domestically. Some of the major transnational crimes in
Mexico are defined below.

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Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking is understood to be as the illegal transportation of
people from one nation to another mainly for the purposes like sexual exploitation and forced
labour (Maya, 2018).
Narcotics smuggling or drug trafficking: It is understood as a global problem where the
crimes include cultivation, manufacturing as well as distribution of the drugs that are banned
in different states as per the drug prohibition law (Dudley, 2012).
Background of Transnational crimes in Mexico
Transnational crimes in Mexico have posed threats to international relations especially with
their neighbour U.S. This is majorly as a result of increasing street gangs in Mexico. There
are lots of drugs that are smuggled across the borders from Mexico. Since the bordering
nations like USA are very much strict over narcotics material and it is not easily available
hence they get higher prices for the drugs that are smuggled from Mexico (Shirk, 2011). This
boosts the internal industry of narcotics in the nation. The same is the case with the human
trafficking. Since there are many contractors in Mexico which demands for the lower waged
workers hence there is illegal trafficking of the workers. It is also seen that people from other
nations who wants to work in United States but do not get Visa and Passport also takes the
route of Mexico to cross the border and enter into America. This is done by the traffickers in
exchange of the money. Most of the people that are trafficked are from Mexico only, but
some are also from African and Asian region. It is also seen that large numbers of people
from different parts of the world are sent to America which is found later on (Rollins &
Wyler, 2013). Controlling illicit activity in the border areas especially the rural areas have to
be managed in a proper manner as it is the major route through which drug trafficking is
done.
In Mexico there is an ongoing irregular low intensity fight going on between the drug
trafficking syndicates and the Mexican government. This is because the Mexican
governments have been primarily focusing on dismantling the bigger drug lobbies. Due to the
violence created by drug traffickers, the situation is so bad that congressmen also have to
make tour of the border areas with the help of helicopters as moving on-roads could not even
ensure their own safety (Beittel, 2015). Shootouts have become common in the border areas.
Alone in the fiscal year 2016, the Border Patrol agents in San Diego have seized more than
83,000 kg of heroine, Marizuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine from the three entry ports

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in the region. From 2001, the San Diego Sector’s Tunnel Task Force has found more than 60
smuggling tunnels within the nation. The same is the case with human trafficking as in the
name of cheap labourers and sex slaves lots of people are being transported into U.S. with
illegal and unauthenticated Visa and Passports. In spite of the fact that both the nations have
increased police patrolling in the border areas human trafficking is happening at higher rates.
Major reason for this is the fact that there is an increase in the corruption in the border areas.
This increase is higher in the Mexico side. This can be understood in terms of the fact that
governments in Mexico have been negligent over the laws related to drug production
(Boister, 2018). It is due to these intrastate crimes across the borders of Mexico that there is
an increase in the conflicts between the Mexico and USA. It is due to this that United States
has decided to build wall all across the borders of Mexico.
Potential Congressional Issues for the 117th Congress
Due to these transnational crimes there is an increase in the challenges that are confronting
117th Congress. Some of the issues that will be faced by the Congressional are:
Economic issues
It is seen that these inter-state crimes have increased the chances of money laundering. This is
because huge amount of cash flows through the borders in exchange of the Narcotics
materials and human trafficking done. In the country where there are majorly higher numbers
of people as poor this is a bigger issue. It is seen that large fields are used for the production
of opium and other narcotics materials as it helps in raising more money than normal crops. It
is due to this that the drug and human trafficking agents have become powerful and
economically strong. On the other hand poor are becoming poorer (Solis, 2019). It is seen
that since most of these money are black money in nature hence this money is not coming in
the formal economy of Mexico. This money is either stored in the illegal form or is sent
outside the nation. It is due to this money that these people have become rich and are easily
capable of bribing the people that are in power especially the politicians. They have built
infrastructures that give them more power and police are unable to track these places. It is
seen that the drugs industry have become one of the top ten industries in Mexico hence
pulling out lot of money out from the formal economy of the nation. The amount of money
that is offered by these drug smugglers to the people in power is so high that they also
become greedy and often become highly corrupt. 117th congressional have to spend a huge
amount of money on eliminating this threat. It is to be understood that the rural families and

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communities in Mexico are indulged in the production of the Marijuana and Poppy. They
have been paid high for this hence if the government even tries to eliminate it from the
country they will first have to ensure that they give them employment and ensure that their
quality life is maintained (Shelley, 2013). In the country where large numbers of poor
communities exist it is difficult to eradicate such problems as it is their source of income.
Violence
It is seen that Violence in the industry is on the higher side. Drug trafficking related
homicide’s numbers have gone to much higher levels and this is challenging the state and the
people living there. It is seen that people that are not taking bribes in the country are usually
get killed. The numbers of violence and the crime in the city have increased considerably and
this increase has impact on the lives of the people especially in the border areas (Bunker &
Sullivan, 2010). The national public security system in Mexico has stated that more than
17,000 homicides have occurred between January and June of 2019. This is much higher than
previous recorded numbers. The intensity of violence in Mexico can be understood by the
fact that even individuals that are in power have been killed in large numbers by the
smugglers. Alone in 2018, 37 mayors, former mayors or mayoral candidates were killed and
murders of non-elected public officials have reached to numbers that is higher than 500. In
every month of 2017 and 2018, one journalist gets killed. It is due to this that Mexico has got
the status of one of the world’s most dangerous nations in terms of practicing journalism. The
reporters who tried to raise questions over the drug trade have been either threatened or
killed. It has been seen that huge amount of cash gets smuggled from U.S. into the Mexico
along with the weapons. This is making drug dealers even more powerful (Ramos & Ashby,
2013). It is not only Mexico which is affected by this, rather in 2018, it has been estimated by
DEA through National Drug Threat Assessment that Mexican drug trafficking organisations
is a bigger threats to United States.
Threat to national security
Internal agencies of Mexico have suggested that Human Trafficking and Narcotics smuggling
have direct impact on the national security. It has been measured that since drug trafficking
and human smuggling is done at the border areas hence it has impact on the national security
as well. It has been seen that both U.S. and Mexico are facing issues related to national
security (Garza, 2011). For instance the people who are smuggled in U.S. will be threat to the
society as some of them can be terrorists or unsocial element. This will also be threat to

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people of Mexico as they have borders with the states like Columbia where the crime rates
are even higher.
Corruption
Congressional will also have to face issues related to the corruption. Corruption is one of the
major issues that is a result of the transnational crimes especially the drug trafficking. This is
because in order to conduct these illegal activities the traffickers have to bribe the officials.
Since people on both sides have to be given money for giving them approvals to pass hence
they have got addicted to bribery hence leading to corruption. Corruption is something that if
gets into the society it is not easy to eradicate especially when the bribery is given in such
high numbers (Congressional Research Service, 2019). The law enforcement agencies and
the personnel associated with it are highly corrupt. It is a bigger issue for congress as
implementing and punishing of the drug and human trafficker is no easy.
Trade relations with United States
Transnational crimes will have impact on the economic relations between Mexico and United
States of America. Donald Trump has recently threatened the Mexico that they will impose
economic sanctions on Mexico if they do not stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking for
the company. This could be a huge loss to Mexico as this nation remains to be heavily
dependent on the United States for their export. This is because more than 80% of the
Mexico’s exports in the year 2018 were US bound. Various researches have showed that if
U.S. withdraws from NAFTA it will cost Mexico with more than 950,000 low-skilled people
losing their jobs and they could reach to GDP growth that is less than 1% (Morris, 2012).
Closing the borders with U.S. for stopping the drug trade will have immediate impact on the
economic condition of Mexico. It will be an issue for the congress to manage the relationship
with U.S. which has already become weaker especially when U.S. congress has lost faith on
the Congress of Mexico.
Relevant International laws
The most reputable and recent instruments of international laws for the human trafficking
have been made for setting the course on how to define, prevent and prosecute human
trafficking are the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime
(United States and the Rule of Law, 2019). They have two protocols i.e. the United Nations

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protocol to prevent, supress, and punish trafficking in person especially Children and Women
as well as United Nations Protocol against the smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air.
International laws for drug trafficking is based on three major international drug control
treaties i.e. the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the United Nations Convention
against illicit traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 and the
convention on Psychotropic substances of 1971.
Domestic Laws
Mexico has approved the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime
which included protocols against the smuggling of migrants by air, sea and land routes as
well as a protocol to supress, safeguard and punish trafficking in person. This nation has also
established anti-trafficking law in the year 2012 that criminalised all the individuals that have
participated in the act of trafficking (King, 2019).
There is no specific law related to the drug trafficking in Mexico however it is criminal
offence. Moreover the government is planning to decriminalise the use and trafficking of
drugs under certain limits. This will boost the growth of drug trafficking within the country.
Intelligence agencies support congress
The role of the intelligence agencies can be highly effective in terms of supporting congress
over the issue of drug trafficking and human trafficking. The intelligence agencies have reach
to the places where even the security forces do not have their reach and due to this they can
suggest about the laws that they will have to make to stop human trafficking. They help
especially in terms of suggesting areas through which maximum trafficking is done so that
government could increase police patrolling and surveillance in those areas. This can be
effective in the case of sex trafficking (Siegel & van De Bunt, 2012). This is also true in the
case of labour trafficking as this issue has impact on the internal security of the nation. In the
time when there is increase in the terror funding from different parts of the world, it has
become critical for the countries to ensure that no such thing happens in the country. In this
regards the role of congress becomes critical and intelligence agencies could help in this
(Andreas, 2012). Intelligence agencies could also suggest the congress that who is the people
that are protecting these smugglers especially the people who are in the power. Intelligence
agencies could also suggest about the areas in which congress need to improve the control so

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as to reduce the chances of increase in the drug trafficking especially in the border areas.
Intelligence agencies are keeping eyes on the funding that is done by the people that are
related to the human trafficking and the people who are funding these activities (Beittel,
2012). This will help congress to make policies that will close all those routes that could
reduce their funding. Intelligence agencies could also suggest about the place from where
most numbers of sex labourers are being sent in other countries so that congress could
increase the awareness and uplift poverty from that area.
Law enforcement support the congress
Law enforcements have most critical role in reducing the transnational crimes especially the
drug trafficking and human trafficking across the borders. Law enforcements is the system
that will help the congress to tell them about what are things that is increasing the drug
trafficking and areas in which the drug trafficking is highest. They will also support the
congress in implementing the laws that will be made for preventing people from different
parts of the world to come in Mexico (Congressional Research Service, 2019). The Border
task force will assist congress in reducing their tensions with U.S. as they can work with each
other to reduce the drug trafficking and human trafficking. The law enforcement will have the
role in giving assistance to the congress in terms of punishing people that violates the law that
was made by the congress. Law enforcement agencies will also help the congress in
suggesting them about the law that can break the back of the drug smuggling. It is also the
fact that there are many law enforcement personnel who have been killed while enforcing the
laws hence congress and law enforcements works with each other to manage the situation
while ensuring that there is lesser casualties (Ríos, 2013). Law enforcements could also
suggest about the challenges that congress will have to face if the laws against the drug
trafficking is weakened which they are planning to do. Law enforcement could also support
the congress in terms of suggesting the boundary that they have to construct in order to
reduce the numbers of people moving across borders illegally. It is to be understood that
Mexico shares a very large border with Texas of United States and both the areas are lesser
developed when compared with the other parts of the country. Hence the law enforcement
could help the congress in suggesting the infrastructure that can be developed in the area so
that it will not be easier for the traffickers of both sides to move (Bruckmüller, et al 2010).

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Intelligence supports law enforcements
Since intelligence agencies have their network deeper than any of the law enforcement
agencies hence if both of them work with each other then immediately things can be managed
in a proper manner (Bailey, 2010). This can be understood in terms of the fact that
intelligence agencies will suggest the congress about the consignment that is moving in and
out of the nation. Since intelligence agencies have the full information about the drugs and
the place for dealing with the issue immediately at the time it is moving hence they can
inform law enforcements so that it can be immediately stopped (Bonner, 2010). Since these
drug and human traffickers have created many secret places for operations hence intelligence
agencies could suggest the law enforcements to raid a particular areas so that illegal drugs
can be seized.
Conclusion
From the above based report it can be concluded that transnational crimes in Mexico has
increased considerably and this increase has an impact on their internal relations especially
with U.S. In Mexico these have created issues such as Corruption, Violence, threat to national
security, degrading trade relations with United States, and economic stress. Mexico needs to
make strong laws which are not present right now. In this regards the intelligence agencies
and law enforcements could help the congress in making and implementing of the laws so
that chances of people moving across the borders can be reduced. On the other hand
intelligence agencies could help the law enforcements in suggesting about the areas through
which consignments are stored or moved so that it can be stopped immediately.

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References
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Bailey, J. (2010). Combating Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking in Mexico: What are
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Beittel, J. S. (2015). Mexico: Organized crime and drug trafficking
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Boister, N. (2018). An introduction to transnational criminal law. Oxford University Press.
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