Operation Baja California

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The Operation Tijuana or Operation Baja California (in Spanish: Operativo Tijuana or Operación Baja California) of the Government of Mexico is taking place in Tijuana and the surrounding areas of Baja California. This operation is part of the Joint Operation Against Drug Trafficking.

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[edit] Joint forces

This operation was launched on January 2, 2007 with the deployment of 3,296 officers of the Secretaries of Defense, Navy, Public Security and the department of the Attorney General of Mexico[1]. The Department of Defense sent 2,620 soldiers, 21 airplanes, 9 helicopters, 28 ships, 247 tactical vehicles and ten drug-sniffing dogs. The Navy sent a sea patrol, three interceptor patrols, one helicopter, two support vehicles and 162 marines[1]. The Department of Public Security took the tasks of patrolling, intelligence and investigation as well as taking part in executing orders of arrests, searches and seizures. The Attorney General's Office (PGR) took the tasks of elaborating a map of priorities and provide the tools for information exchange in real-time to facilitate detentions. The PGR will also be present in the 48 local prosecution offices to seize property and take down drug-processing labs.[1]. In May 2007, the operations were extended to lesser crimes[2]. The Federal Police formed by the Federal Agency of Investigation and the Federal Federal Police were to provide 510 officers to participate in tactical analysis, crime investigation, regional security and special operations[3].

[edit] General Hospital shootout

In April 2007, a band of criminals entered the General Hospital of Tijuana, took hostages and tried to free a mafia boss that was being treated in the hospital. The liberation was unsuccessful, the criminals exchanged fire with the local police but were later intercepted but not apprehended by the state and federal police [4]

Three people were reported dead after the shooting and five people aprehended[5].

[edit] Results

The federal forces took away the weapons of the local police officers giving an official explanation of doing a fingerprint-check on them. During this time crime increased 40% to 50%[6] since police officers were left unarmed. Kidnappings decreased from six to two compared to 2006. Federal police officers have also been caught receiving bribes [7]. Deaths by firearm dropped from only from 27 in January 2006 to 23 in January 2007[8]. Local police deparments also reported increases of 400% of crime between minors[9].

The leader of a band of kidnappers Víctor Magno Escobar Luna (a.k.a "El Matapolicías", "Cop killer) was aprehended, he was thought to have had links with the state police for at least ten years. He is also thought to have been a member of the state police for a few years[10].

In May 2007, after the disappointment of the population, President Felipe Calderón, asked the public to be patient and declared that it may not be in his administration when the results of these operations will be seen[11].

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c El Universal, Pone Gobierno federal en marcha Operativo Tijuana, January 2, 2007.
  2. ^ Frontera, Reorientarán Operativo Tijuana, May 3, 2007.
  3. ^ Office of the President, January 2, 2007.
  4. ^ Zeta, Los dejaron ir, #1725, Abril 2007.
  5. ^ El Universal, Mueren dos personas en tiroteo en hospital de Tijuana, April 18, 2007.
  6. ^ Frontera, Aumentan con operativo 40% los delitos menores, May 7, 2007.
  7. ^ Univision.com, January 29, 2007.
  8. ^ Zeta, "Empty-handed", #1714, February 2007.
  9. ^ Zeta, BC bajo riesgo, #1724, April 2007
  10. ^ Zeta, Siguen más, #1723, April 2007.
  11. ^ Frontera, Pide Calderón tiempo a los tijuanenses, May 4, 2007.
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