National Sheriffs’ Association Urges Congress to Take Action Against Mexican Drug Cartels

A heavily armed army convoy departs the prosecutor's building where Ovidio Guzman, one of the sons of former Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, is in custody in Mexico City, Jan. 5, 2023. The Canadian Press/AP-Fernando Llano

American sheriffs are calling for Congress to take action against Mexican drug cartels behind the ongoing fentanyl crisis—including providing additional manpower and tools for law enforcement—in the aftermath of the deaths of two Americans in an attack by gang members.

The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) said it supports recent attempts in Congress to undercut and dismantle drug cartels, which have caused havoc at the border and are responsible for the smuggling of illegal immigrants and narcotics such as fentanyl into the United States, and is pushing for more action.

“NSA is calling on Congress to take immediate action on cartels, especially considering the Americans killed in Mexico last week,” the group said in a statement sent to The Epoch Times.

Preventing Illegal Drugs

“New initiatives in Congress are calling on the U.S. Government to use more determined tools to degrade, undermine and eliminate the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico.

“NSA applauds these efforts and asks Congress to use its broad legislative authorities to build a comprehensive system of manpower and other tools to prevent illicit drugs from being produced, smuggled, and sold on American streets.”

The appeal follows the kidnapping of four Americans who crossed the border from Brownsville, Texas, to Matamoros, Tamaulipas. According to police, two Americans and an innocent Mexican bystander were killed during the event.

“The nation’s sheriffs strongly support the American people’s continued demand that our federal government use whatever means appropriate to combat these deadly cartels,” stated Sheriff Jim Skinner, chair of the National Sheriffs’ Association Government Affairs Committee.

Foreign Terrorist Organizations

Skinner went further, “Without clear, determined, and strong action against the Mexican cartels and their partners, we are witnessing the destruction of our families and communities. We must use the means necessary to undermine the cartels now.”

Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) made a statement about the importance of designating Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and authorizing the U.S. military to retaliate, as The Epoch Times previously reported.

The senators argued in their March 8 press briefing that these cartels are responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans every year and that the United States needs to take drastic action to stop them.

“Drug cartels in Mexico have been terrorizing Americans for decades. We’re going to destroy their business model and their lifestyle because our national security … depends on us.”

Cartels in Sights

The proposed bill would include the following cartels in the FTO designation: Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Gulf Cartel, Los Zetas, Northeast Cartel, Juarez Cartel, Tijuana Cartel, Beltran-Leyva Cartel, La Familia Michoacana.

Graham noted that law enforcement could bring Chinese chemical companies with known ties to the cartels into court in the United States to stand trial.

“Here’s what I hope will happen: we’re going to terrorize the terrorists,” Graham said. “If you get on the cell phone, it may be the last call you make.

“The terrorists live in caves; they’re committed to their cause. The narco-terrorists live in mansions out in the open, buying fancy cars.

“We know where you live, and we know how you make your money.

“My goal is to make sure that you don’t sleep well at night. That the cost of doing business—when it comes to poisoning America—goes up.