Cartels seek toehold in border community politics

Nice , Imagine what it would be like if the Cartels did this in every Community !
Maybe this is the reason for "Certain" Local And Government Politicians whose districts Run alongside the Border with Mexico , Defend Illegal Immigration so heatedly ?
Just sayin , but it always appears to be someone of Hispanic decent who calls everyone Who is Against illegal Immigration a Racist , these same "Politicians" also fight to have A "No I.D." voting system in Place , Basically giving Mexico's Citizens a voice in U.S. Elections !

I have always wondered why Hispanic Politicians Act the way they do when it comes to Immigration And other issues Concerning Mexico , Now maybe we have some insight as to why ?

....Las Cruces Sun News
EL PASO - Mexican drug cartels are helping elect and influence politicians in U.S. communities to advance their criminal activities, an expert on international gangs alleged.

Richard Valdemar, a retired California law enforcement officer, said authorities in California gathered intelligence showing the cartels are corrupting American politicians to gain a foothold in the Southwestern United States.

Previous investigations showed the Carrillo Fuentes, Arellano Felix and Sinaloan drug cartels targeted Southern California communities that included South Gate, Hawaiian Gardens and Bell Gardens.

"Their efforts to influence and control these communities began in the 1980s, but investigators did not detect the trend until the 1990s," said Valdemar, who retired from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department after 33 years in 2004. He also served on a multi-agency investigative task force for 12 years.

"Some of the communities got cleaned up and some didn't," said Valdemar, who appears regularly on TV specials about gangs and other organized criminals.

The influence of gangs on politics is not suspected in El Paso, but gang experts said it could easily happen here.

Valdemar, a veteran investigator said that in California, the Mexican drug organizations employed a method they had used in Mexico with success.

Cartels send representatives to U.S. communities to buy legitimate businesses, such as strip malls, restaurants, auto dealerships and used tire shops. Then, they invite

local politicians and police to receive free meals and discounts, until they can develop relationships with influential people.

"They could give an entire city council a million dollars, and fire police chiefs, city managers, city attorneys, and anyone else who opposes them," Valdemar said. "They got local laws changed so they could run nightclubs, liquor stores and other businesses without interference. They went after cities' towing contracts and other types of contracts."

Although the true source of the money is hidden, he said the cartels contribute cash to the election campaigns of politicians, and finance negative campaigns against their rivals.

They wait until a majority of elected offices are up for election in city councils, county commissions and water districts, and run a lot of candidates so they can seize a majority voting bloc.

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado made similar allegations in his 2006 book "In Mortal Danger: The Battle for America's Border and Security."