A Promising Fresh Start for Mexico in Drug War

In a sweeping, politically auspicious move, the Mexican government this week began dismantling its notoriously corrupt National Institute to Combat Drugs, a four-year-old agency that had become a national embarrassment. In its place is being established the new Special Prosecutor’s Office for Attention to Drug Crimes, the federal government’s fourth anti-drug agency since 1990. We have cause to believe that this won’t be just another change of name.

The bases for optimism are the measures taken to screen and monitor prospective agents. Every recruit must pass formidable psychological tests, physical examinations for drug use and make-or-break lie-detector tests. And each will be subject to a complete audit of his or her financial situation. This front-end attention in hiring is fully justified and in fact demanded by the corrupt performance of previous drug agents.

The Attorney General’s Office has created a Center for Confidence Control that will monitor agents’ conduct every four months for as long as the agent remains on the force.

No one denies that Mexico has experienced an international black eye for the past performance of its anti-drug forces, and it will take firm measures like these to establish confidence in the new unit.

Incentives will also play a role. Salaries have been increased and medical and insurance benefits expanded. This is fundamental, since nothing corrupts more than illegal payoffs.

Included in the new package are training programs at home and abroad under the guidance of the FBI and police agencies in France, Italy, Britain and Spain. These drills could put Mexican counternarcotics agents on a par with the world’s best. Nothing less will stop the drug rackets in Mexico. Nevertheless, miracles should not be expected. The crime cartel is powerful and audacious.

Mexicans could and should, however, expect increasingly better results in the drug wars, like the government seizure a few days ago of 10 tons of cocaine destined for the American market. Recent months have also seen the arrests of some of Mexico’s more powerful drug lords. Enforcement officials claim, for instance, that agents are tightening the circle around Amado Carrillo, the so-called “Lord of the Skies,” whose planes ferry dope to U.S. buyers.

Mexico appears eager to improve its record for many reasons, including national pride, improved relations with Washington and dumping the heavy weight of corruption. The government deserves full credit for making the effort. The program appears solid. The political will must be equally strong. Mexico appears eager to improve its record for many reasons, including national pride, improved relations with Washington and dumping the heavy weight of corruption.