A delegation of U.S. Attorneys, their criminal division chiefs, and Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) chiefs from eight border districts travelled to Mexico City from August 23 to 25 to participate in a series of briefings and meetings on security cooperation matters, including efforts to combat transnational criminal organisations and efforts to counter the illegal trafficking and smuggling of firearms, narcotics, and people. March 2020 marked the conclusion of the Southwest Border U.S. Attorneys’ conference in Mexico.
U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino of the District of Arizona, Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Christensen of the Central District of California, U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman of the Southern District of California, U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez of the District of New Mexico, U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston of the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham for the Northern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery of the Southern District of Texas, and U.S. Attorney Ashley Hoff of the Western District of Texas were amongst the U.S. delegation that commenced their trip with meeting U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar.
Briefings and talks were held by the Justice Department’s Attaché Office in Mexico City. The U.S. delegation met with various officials from Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office “Fiscala General de la Repblica” (FGR), including the Deputy Director of the Office of International Affairs and Attaché Offices, Humberto Trujillo Ramos; the Deputy Attorney General Specialized in Combating Corruption, Maria de la Luz Mijangos Borga; the Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Investigations, Felipe de Jesus Gallo Gutierrez; and the The two delegations discussed ways to enhance the coordination of enforcement activities and the exchange of information.
In addition, the Foreign Ministry’s “Secretara de Relaciones Exteriores” (SRE) convened U.S. Attorneys for a discussion on the United States-Mexico Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Secure Communities. The SRE delegation included Roberto Velasco, the Undersecretary for North American Affairs, and Ricardo Mejia, the Undersecretary for the Secretariat of Public Security and Citizen Safety.
Each U.S. law enforcement agency stationed in Mexico City informed the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices delegation on current prospects and difficulties in Mexico. They reviewed investigation tactics and their shared commitment to maintaining the safety and security of the shared border and the residents of both nations.
The connection between U.S. law enforcement and Mexico is one of our most essential collaborations in the fight against transnational crime. The U.S. delegation reaffirmed its commitment to defending U.S. and Mexican people, and both nations’ leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral law enforcement cooperation.
Southwest Border U.S. Attorneys meeting with Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office: La Fiscalía General de la República
Southwest Border U.S. Attorneys meeting with Mexico’s Foreign Ministry “Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores”
Group photo of US delegation: Back row L to R: Attaché Christina Vejar; District of Arizona OCDETF Chief Maria Gutierrez; Co-director of Joint Task Force Alpha Victor White; Southern District of California OCDETF Chief Joe Smith; Eastern District of Texas Criminal Chief Frank Coan, District of Arizona OCDETF Chief Rob Fellrath, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas Brit Featherston, Central District of California OCDETF Chief Shawn Nelson; Southern District of Texas OCDETF Chief Mary Lou Castillo; Central District of California Criminal Chief Scott Garringer; District of Arizona First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Hernandez; District of Arizona Criminal Chief Rui Wang; District of Arizona Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Savel; District of New Mexico Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Ramirez; District of New Mexico Criminal Chief (Las Cruces) Aaron Jordan; District of New Mexico Criminal Division Chief (Albuquerque) Kristopher Houghton
Front row L to R: U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino, U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman, Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Christensen, U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez, Amb. Ken Salazar, U.S. Attorney Ashley Hoff, Western District of Texas Criminal Division Chief Christina Playton, U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery, U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham, Southern District of Texas OCDETF Chief John Jocher; Deputy Attaché Rocio Zamudio
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