An investigation raises doubts about the Biden administration's commitment to border security amid revelations of U.S-enabled artillery smuggling to Mexican cartels.
"How anyone falls for the Biden administration lie about our cartel-controlled border being 'secure' is one of life's great mysteries," Border Patrol Union - NBPC tweeted recently.
A CBS Reports investigation has disclosed that Mexican drug cartels are smuggling an extensive range of weapons from the U.S., including military-grade artillery, with the aid of American citizens. According to U.S. intelligence documents, exclusively obtained by CBS, and insights from current and former officials, the American government has been aware of this ongoing issue for years but has allegedly taken insufficient steps to counter these trafficking networks functioning within the U.S.
These networks reportedly smuggle up to one million firearms annually, including high-powered weapons such as belt-fed miniguns and grenade launchers, through operatives extending as far north as Wisconsin and Alaska. The issue facilitates the cartels in protecting their drug operations and overpowering Mexican authorities, thereby contributing to the current fentanyl crisis.
A significant revelation came through Project Thor, led by Chris Demlein at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), according to CBS News. The initiative, launched in 2018, connected hundreds of unrelated law enforcement cases, unveiling vast networks giving criminal groups on-demand access to American guns. Despite uncovering that 85% of firearms at Mexican crime scenes are traced back to the U.S., Project Thor faced defunding in 2022, rendering its future uncertain.
The CBS Reports investigation noted that the Biden administration has showcased a renewed commitment to tackle the issue with ATF's Operation Southbound focused on border states and efforts to enhance gun tracing technology. Nonetheless, skepticism abounds regarding the effectiveness of ongoing strategies, with various officials voicing doubts over their agencies' dedication to dismantling the gun-running networks.
While assurances have come from ATF Director Steven Dettelbach regarding efforts to curb illegal arms trafficking into Mexico, there remains a noticeable lack of concrete evidence to support a meaningful reduction in the flow of American firearms into Mexico, CBS stated.
