Mexican Capo Unleashes Mayhem on U.S. Border; The Making of a LegendBy DAVID LUHNOW and JOSE DE CORDOBA “BADIRAGUATO, Mexico — As a child, Joaquín Guzmán Loera was so poor that he sold oranges to scrape together money for a meal. Since then, the 52-year-old has built a business empire and a personal fortune currently…

© 2009 The Associated PressJune 15, 2009, 11:55AM “BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Inflatable rafts and more than 700 pounds of marijuana have been seized in a smuggling attempt across the Rio Grande into Texas.” View Article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6479382.html

By Stephen GibbsBBC News, Mexico City “Mexican officials say they have arrested a drug cartel leader in Cancun who is believed to be behind the murder of a retired general last February.In another operation on Sunday, the army arrested 25 suspected drug traffickers in northern Mexico who were apparently disguised as soldiers.” View Article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8100092.stm

“We are used to hearing about drug overdoses in the context of fast-lane inhabiting film and music stars. But in fact, deaths from drug overdoses have been rising and have reached crisis levels in our country. A newly-released report by the Drug Policy Alliance documents the extent of the problem: drug overdose is now the…

From Jackie CastilloCNN “Authorities have found a massive underground drug smuggling tunnel snaking through the U.S.-Mexican border, and law officers are marveling over its sophistication.” View Article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/06/11/mexico.drug.tunnel/index.html

* Army uncovers deep police corruption in Monterrey* Extortions, kidnapping hurt city’s pro-business image By Robin Emmott “Soldiers are cracking down on corrupt police in Mexico’s richest city, exposing the reach of powerful drug traffickers who have tarnished its reputation for stability and order.Heavily armed troops have rounded up more than 80 police in and…

By MARC LACEYPublished: June 8, 2009 “Cliff divers, all-night discos, towering hotels on the sand — that is one side of Acapulco. But a four-hour gun battle over the weekend between soldiers and suspected drug traffickers made clear that the popular beach resort has a dark side and that no part of Mexico may be…

New Technologies, Increased Prosecution Meant to Crackdown on CartelsBy BEN BUCHANANJune 9, 2009 “The U.S. Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security have announced a broad new plan to reduce the amount of drug activity in the Southwest, calling for increased coordination between federal, state, and local agencies and strengthening of joint U.S.-Mexican anti-trafficking efforts.”…

06:39 AM CDT on Tuesday, June 9, 2009By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News [email protected] “After a federal jury convicted a self-proclaimed professional poker player of causing the overdose death of an SMU student, university officials said they will “remain vigilant” in combating drug use on campus.SMU, which last fall responded to criticism over…

ThePittsburghChannel.com “The suspect, identified as Frank Bruno, had a message to share as officers escorted him into a police car Tuesday morning.“See, this is what drugs does to you,” said Bruno, showing his handcuffs to WTAE Channel 4’s camera. “You’re a good person, and drugs just tears your life apart. Get yourself some help before…