The huge number of almost daily deaths sounded like stuff from South of the US Southern border. Now we know why.
Mexican drug cartels fight turf battles in Chicago
CHICAGO - Gun violence is out of control in Chicago. Just last night, there were eight shootings, two of them deadly. That pushes the total so far in 2012 to 351 shooting deaths -- up 30 percent from last year. Drug gangs are a big reason.
In an afternoon drive on Chicago's southwest side, Jack Riley sees signs of what he calls the "toxic" drug war laying waste to this city.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Jack Riley told CBS News that turf battles over drugs are turning parts of Chicago into a Mexican border town. Daily turf battles over drugs and distribution, he said, are turning parts of this Midwest city into a Mexican border town.
"One of the hardest jobs I've had in the past couple of years is to convince our law enforcement partners that we need an enforcement mentality as if we're on the border," Riley said.
| Ooooh -- they could do a gunwalking right there inside the borders to demonstrate the problem! |
Miles away, Riley says, Mexican cartels have a significant influence in Chicago's gang violence problem.
As it stands now, at least three major Mexican cartels are battling over control of billions of dollars of marijuana, cocaine and -- increasingly -- heroin in this city. That includes the ultra-violent Zetas and the powerful Sinaloa cartel, run by its shadowy leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
| What an example to the nation our president's adopted hometown is, to be sure. |
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