Americans buy drugs and then send guns to Mexico

As the United States closed its borders on September 11, Mexico instituted an interesting policy:  the country started checking for guns before passengers boarded a plane--that's in addition to the long standing policy of checking passengers when they disembarked the plane. 

Although this practice might not sound logical, today's Wall Street Journal makes the case clear:  when the 10 year ban on AK-47s expired in 2004, thousands AK-47s, are purchased in the United States and then smuggled into Mexico.  This has emboldened drug cartels as they fight for new terrority.

Violence in Mexico is increasing.  The top Yahoo news article discusses how drug cartel violence is spilling over the border into the United States.  The days of open borders are long gone. 

Here is a quick run down of what is going on in Mexico and drug policy in the United States:

WSJ runs an article about Ending Prohibition on Drugs in the United States in early December.

Mexico ends year with thousands of brutal murders related to drug activities.  On or about Christmas eve, Mexican news reports that beauty queen is arrested in gun filled car. 

Middle of January, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff identifies Mexico as potentially a 'failed state,' along with Pakistan.   

Middle of February, given the continued violence, DOS issued another travel alert, so has Canada.  Furthermore, U.S. universities have encouraged their students not to travel to Mexico for spring break. 

Late February, WSJ highlights "The Perilous State of Mexico."  Following day, three former presidents of Latin America call the war on drugs a failure. 

Middle of the week, the United States DEA announces the end of an undercover 2 year country-wide anti-drug sweep.  Some important highlights:  operation netted $59 million dollars in cash, 12,000 kilos (12 tonnes) of cocaine, 544 kilos (1,200 pounds) of methamphetamine and 1.3 million Ecstasy pills.

In fact, the CIA Factbook explains,

United States - world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center.

Mexican President Calderon refutes the idea that his country is a failed state.  Most Mexicans share the idea that drug cartels and drug activities are impossible to stop when the country to the north has plenty of money and guns.

Would ending drug prohibition force the high priced illegal drug market to collapse?