USA: MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS BECOMING DANGEROUS WARNING

English/Nat A warning was issued Tuesday that Mexican drug cartels are becoming as big and dangerous as their Colombian counterparts. An influential U-S senate committee was also told of the difficulties faced by the Mexican government as it tries to tackle the problem in the face of massive corruption. The U-S Senate Foreign Relations Committee held hearings Tuesday on the growing drug trade on America's borders. Some of the government's top drug officials were testifying about the rise of Mexican drug cartels. While Colombian drug cartels may be losing their power, drug busts like this one in Mexico show that the narcotics trade is moving north. Officials say the new Mexican drug gangs are as dangerous and powerful as their Colombian counterparts. SOUNDBITE: Drug related violence is increasing, drug use is one the rise. The government and the media have unearthed new information confirming previous suspicions about the extent of narco-corruption within Mexican institutions. Drug traffickers launder billions of dollars each year within Mexico and financial institutions are vulnerable. SUPER CAPTION: Robert Gelbard, U-S Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo has pledged a renewed effort at stopping the new cartels. Mexican authorities point to several large seizures performed in the last few months as evidence of their attempts to halt the drug trade. But with every seizure comes rumours of further corruption within the government. Corruption that is hampering efforts at cracking down on the drug trade. SOUNDBITE: What we see is that not just in Mexico, but in any country where there is a drug problem, including the United States, there is such massive amounts of money that it has an incredibly corrosive effect, quite often all the way through the system. SUPER CAPTION: Robert Gelbard, U-S Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs The United States has been attempting to help with equipment and funding for law enforcement. SOUNDBITE: In the last eight months we have seen some solid steps forward, but we also recognise, Mr. Chairman, that while the government of Mexico may have the political will to be fully engaged with us it suffers from fiscal and operational limitations. SUPER CAPTION: Robert Gelbard, U-S Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs The power and arrogance of the new Mexican drug connection was no more evident than at this raid in April, when Mexican police found themselves in a fire fight. Drug officials say these dangerous gangs must be stopped before it is too late. SOUNDBITE: I think it is entirely possible that these newly emerging groups could rise to an equal or superior footing with the Cali mafia. If this happens life as we know it in both the United States and Mexico will change dramatically. SUPER CAPTION: Thomas Constantine, U-S Drug Enforcement Administration The Committee was advised that only increased funding, pressure on Mexico to crack down on corruption further and a unified effort between Washington and Mexico City can halt the northern spread of the drug trade. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/fdf19bb99dc20b598e2a66743cb30119 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork