Failing state watch: Mexican soldiers arrested for drug smuggling

**Posted by Phineas

Thirteen soldiers arrested for smuggling drugs:

The Mexican army has ordered three junior officers and 10 soldiers to stand trial on drug trafficking and organized crime charges after they were allegedly caught with more than a ton of methamphetamines and 66 pounds (30 kilograms) of cocaine.

The military announced earlier that several soldiers were arrested last week with drugs at a military checkpoint south of Tijuana, across the border from San Diego. It was not clear whether it was the same group named in the charges announced Thursday.

Like cops, Mexican soldiers are poorly paid, so the temptation must be great to make a little extra on the side by acting as couriers or guards; the cartels have plenty of money to spread around in bribes. The danger of course comes when Mexico City wants these soldiers to do something against the interests of the guys who pay them better: whose soldiers are they, then?

RELATED: Border crossings by Mexican troops.

(Crossposted at Public Secrets)

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