Note: interesting report from the Wilson center.
Some of it questionable, some of the conclusions pretty dubious, but
the numbers of the most interest. May also want to check bio of
author.
http://wilsoncenter.org/news/docs/Goodman%20Update%20on%20US%
20Firearms%20to%20Mexico.pdf
Some notes:
ATF officials stationed in Mexico or along the U.S.
southwest border have sought to physically inspect firearms at crime
scenes or at Mexican military
storage facilities, but have had limited success, mostly because
Mexican officials or the Mexican
Attorney General's office prevented such access, due in part to
national sensitivities and lack of trust. 43 (see next paragraph,
maybe too many from U.S. programs?)
In addition, the U.S. government reports that a very small number of
U.S. origin firearms found with Mexican OGC's were transferred
through official U.S. government programs such as the Foreign
Military Sales or Direct Commercial Sales programs.
(maybe why they won't allow access? despite assertions to contrary,
there a lot of "leakage" both of U.S. supplied and German, and soon
Italian.)
ATF officials have also said Mexico has submitted thousands of trace
requests on firearms likely imported into the United States without
import numbers, at least in part
because it is not Mexican practice to include such information for
Mexican judicial proceedings. 39
( or maybe there were no import numbers? Our friends in former east
bloc and china very good at producing clean weapons & munitions)
U.S. military officials also report that more than 50 percent of the
military‐type arms such as mortars, hand grenades, and grenade
launchers discovered in OCGs caches have crossed into Mexico most
recently from Central America. 21
(and then where does the other 40% or so come from? A whole lot of
hand grenades, 40mm grenades and launcher in circulation in Mexico
these days)
According to the U.S. DOJ's Inspector General report in November
2010, one of the top reasons U.S. Attorneys have reportedly rejected
or failed to act on more than 300 ATF's Project Gunrunner referred
cases is the low penalties associated with the crimes ATF officials
most often use. 47
(very light sentences questioned numerous times in AZMEX UPDATES)
Lastly, although ATF could increase the penalties firearms
traffickers face by engaging in joint
investigations with ICE on criminal cases related to smuggling and
arms export controls, it has
continued to largely avoid working with ICE, which has the most
experience on these types of
violations. 58
(again very light sentences noted, as having been in the industry,
well aware of export controls and penalties. Not to mention
extensive paper trails. )
ATF may also want to consider providing information to Mexican
Customs officials in some cases in which CBP/ICE officials may not
catch individuals traveling with suspected illegal firearms in
vehicles attempting to cross the border as it may be easier for
Mexican officials to stop the vehicle.
(have to wonder if there another Mexico they writing about? Why are
all the southbound CBP checks done? Maybe because they know Mexican
customs doesn't do the job?)
end
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