National Drug Intelligence Center analysis stated there are six major Mexican drug organizations operating in West Texas

National Drug Intelligence Center analysis stated there are six major Mexican drug organizations plus 120 multistate groups and 606 local drug trafficking rings operating in West Texas. Groups range in size from five to dozens of members.
The Mexican cartels also have distribution cells in dozens of cities across the U.S. and have formed alliances with prison gangs, street gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs, stated a Congressional Research Service report issued in February titled "Mexico's Drug Cartels."The Dallas Morning-News reported that the Zetas, the notorious Gulf Cartel enforcers have been behind murders in Laredo and Dallas. The Zetas are also known to operate in Juárez.The National Drug Intelligence Center report stated that law enforcement is up against a sophisticated opponent with extensive financial resources, including those of "corrupt Mexican businessmen," capable of funding high-tech equipment, including satellite phones.Cartel gatekeepers are charged with collecting "taxes" on drug shipments moving through their turfs. It was such tolls that was behind a drop in cocaine in the El Paso region last year, revealed the intelligence center's report."Law enforcement reporting indicated the temporary suspension of cocaine shipments by a cartel operating in the El Paso/Juárez plaza occurred in 2007," the report stated. "This suspension is believed to have occurred because the organization implementing the suspension wanted to make sure that all cocaine shipments were being 'taxed.'"
In Juárez, authorities unable to control the crime wave are making changes to Joint Operation Chihuahua, the federal anti-crime offensive, which has been renamed Operation Juárez. More federal police officers arrived Friday and the Mexican army is expected to begin anti-crime street patrols this week, city officials said.
Mexican President Felipe Calderón said recently in his equivalent to the state of the union address that crime is the biggest challenge facing Mexico."I know Mexico faces a great security problem. This is a cancer that incubated for years and it wasn't given the attention it deserves but it is a cancer we will eradicate," Calderón said.Calderón said that more than 100 federal police officers, 72 soldiers and five sailors have been killed in Mexico this year as federal forces fight drug traffickers, kidnappers and other criminals. "It's a difficult battle," Calderón said. "It's a battle that will take time, resources and, sadly, human lives. But you can be sure it is a battle we will win with the support of the people of Mexico."