TIJUANA, Mexico, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Authorities in Mexico say anti-drug operations cost cartels in the Tijuana area more than $1 billion this year.
Alfonso Duarte, head of the Second Military Region, cited two army operations in Baja California: a large marijuana farm -- almost 300 acres -- found near Ensenada in July and 787 pounds of cocaine seized in Tijuana in October. He put total losses at $1.08 billion.
The State Council of Public Security, which brings together Baja California, municipal and military authorities to work on a joint strategy, has been key to the successes, Duarte said.
"The firm commitment of the members of the council to fight crime has yielded conclusive results through well-coordinated team work," Duarte said.
Gov. Jose Guadelupe Osuna said the next step for Baja California is giving local police departments more tools to fight the cartels while continuing the effort to find and prosecute corrupt officers.
