Interview in OC Register Re: Arrest of Joaquin Guzman in Mexico

This week, I was contacted by Orange County Register reporter Scott Schwebke for comments on the arrest of Mexican fugitive drug kingpin Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman in Mazatlan. After informing Mr Schwebke that I was retired from DEA since 1995 and wasn't that much up to date on the drug trafficking scene, I offered the below remarks.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/cartel-603107-dea-sinaloa.html

Coincidentally, DEA Hqs issued a statement this week on Guzman's arrest that took issue with other remarks offered to another news outlet by DEA retired agent Phil Jordan (who, incidentally, is far more informed on the historical Mexican scene than myself). Jordan's comments have been much more widely disseminated.

http://www.justice.gov/dea/divisions/hq/2014/hq022414.shtml

DEA Statement on the Arrest of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera

Feb 24 (WASHINGTON) – Remarks made by retired Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Phil Jordan and those of other retired DEA agents do not reflect the views of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The arrest of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera was a significant achievement for Mexico and a major step forward in our shared fight against transnational organized crime, violence, and drug trafficking. We congratulate the Mexican people and their government on the capture of the alleged head of the Sinaloa Cartel.  The DEA and Mexico have a strong partnership and we will continue to support Mexico in its efforts to improve security for its citizens and continue to work together to respond to the evolving threats posed by transnational criminal organizations.

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Actually, Jordan's comments were not the most controversial. I have read comments by another retired DEA agent that were much juicier. I don't know whether they are accurate or not, and I have no desire to jump into the issue. I did, however, send in a comment to a website devoted to retired drug agents defending Jordan and saying that he deserved better from the agency he served than to be publicly singled out like that.

At any rate, the capture of Guzman is a great thing. I understand DEA's need to say positive things about Mexico. It is also true that many honest Mexican cops and officials have paid the ultimate price for fighting the drug cartels. The public should, however, be informed about the harsh realities that still exist in Mexico.