Scott Donald Criminal Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Human Smuggling

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 by Scott Donald

The smuggling of humans from Mexico into Arizona, who end up living in Phoenix and other cities large and small, is big business in the Grand Canyon State. How big? According to the Arizona Attorney General, it generates $2 billion a year. And much of it is due in large part to what he refers to as “blood wires.” These are payments from family members, friends, and employers to smugglers who utilize companies such as Western Union.

The attorney general and other lawyers for the state have not accused Western Union of committing a crime. But in an array of interviews and court documents they repeatedly say that the company has steadfastly rejected requests for cooperation. This, in their opinion, undermines efforts in Arizona to pursue the crime cartels that control most of the growing trade in humans, weapons, and laundered cash from their safe havens in Mexico.

Not surprisingly, these insidious cartels also deal in illicit drugs. And where there are illicit drugs, drug crimes are not far behind. Because of their proximity to Mexico, border states like Arizona are experiencing a rise in drug-related crime. But other states are feeling the effects as well. Mexican drug cartels or their affiliates maintain drug distribution networks or supply drugs to distributors in cities from Atlanta to Anchorage. Of course, the reason they are flourishing is because the demand remains high.

Illicit drugs wreak a massive amount of havoc on our society and communities. Up to 52,000 people die each year due to illegal drugs. What’s more, the economy suffers financial losses of an estimated $160 billion annually. Everyone pays the price in the form of higher healthcare costs and dangerous neighborhoods. Drug enforcement officials want to see stiffer penalties for drug violations, such as use and possession. However, with an already overcrowded criminal justice system and overworked drug crime lawyers and phoenix drug crime, that may not be the optimum response.

Billar & Donald, P.C. - phoenix criminal law firm
2700 North Central Avenue, Suite 320
Phoenix, AZ Maricopa Co. 85004

Posted at 10:56 AM

Topic: Criminal Law