Nuevo Laredo recovers from drug war

NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico, June 13 (UPI) -- The Mexican town of Nuevo Laredo is relatively calm now that the country's drug war has shifted west along the U.S.-Mexican border, observers say.

The New York Times reported Saturday that although organized crime is not as public as it was just weeks ago, it is still thriving in the border town.

The newspaper reported that the Mexican government is credited for the relative calm in the city. President Felipe Calderon and his predecessor, Vicente Fox sent soldiers to the city to get a handle on crime there.

The history of crime in Nuevo Laredo has hurt the local economy, business owners said.

"I can't begin to tell you how bad business is," said Jack Suneson, who sells Mexican artifacts from a boutique in Nuevo Laredo.