Last week we noted the creative ways in which the border patrol and others are getting the word out regarding the dangers of crossing the borders illegally. Equally as creative are the drug cartels working to get drugs from Mexico to the United States.

The cartels are placing ads in the classified sections of Mexican newspapers, offering work in the United States - an invitation that only people who can cross the border legally need apply - with a phone number and sometimes a location to apply in person. New hires are told to drive company cars across the border, typically to a fast-food restaurant or shopping center. When they arrive, they are often told there will be no work after all on that day, and they must leave the car and walk back to Mexico after being paid a small amount. The drivers are typically paid $50 to $200 a trip - much less than the $1,500 to $5,000 that seasoned smugglers are typically paid for such trips.

There have been 39 arrests since February 2011 at San Diego's two border crossings tied to the ads for seemingly legitimate jobs, according to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), which hadn't seen such significant numbers before. Those arrests have yielded 3,400 pounds of marijuana, 75 pounds of cocaine and 100 pounds of methamphetamine - a tiny fraction of total seizures but enough to convince U.S. authorities that smugglers are increasingly turning to the recruitment technique. The cases can be challenging for prosecutors because drivers may not know they are smuggling drugs.

Authorities are also checking into a scheme by some Delta Airline TSA workers who are accused of trafficking drugs. They would find a checked bag after it had been screened and put drugs or cash inside. A passenger would then pick it up at baggage claim like any other bag. A federal investigation has already found that hundreds of thousands of pounds of methamphetamine was smuggled between the two states over the past two years.

PRAY:  
•    Ask the Lord to continue to reveal the schemes of the cartels so that the authorities can properly deal with them. For those watching at the gates to be alert to suspicious activity.
•    For those who are being caught in the web of cartel deceit to be as shrewd as snakes (Matt 10:16) in understanding what they are involving themselves with.
•    For participants on both sides of the borders, who willingly involve themselves in illegal activity, to be captured and held accountable for their actions.

Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed. ~Psalm 21:11

Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel remains at large, free to wreak havoc on the lives of people all over the world. Until he is captured, we continue to pray!