Government of Mexico Receives 10 Non-Intrusive Inspection Equipped Vehicles under Merida Initiative

Mexico City, October 28, 2011

• The United States and Mexico reaffirm their commitment to strengthen Mexican institutions in the fight against transnational organized crime.

• International cooperation is a critical tool for Mexico to complement law enforcement actions against trans-national criminal organizations.
• The U.S. government is committed by the end of this year to delivering to Mexico approximately half a billion dollars in equipment and capacity building programs, including an estimated $60 million for non-intrusive inspection equipment to help law enforcement and customs agents detect illegal arms and money moving into and within Mexico.
• NIIE equipment is a critical component in building a 21st century border, which is a Merida Initiative priority.

The U.S. Embassy announced today the official handover of ten non-intrusive inspection equipped vehicles in Tijuana, Baja California.  This equipment was provided to the Government of Mexico by the United States government under the Merida Initiative.

This equipment will bolster the Government of Mexico´s efforts in the fight against crime by providing better tools to improve the capacity to interdict drugs, weapons and other illicit material.

During the ceremony, the Consul General of the United States in Tijuana and the Deputy Director of the Narcotics Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, on behalf of the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, presented the vehicles to the head of SRE’s Office of International Security Cooperation. Valued at $13 million, this equipment marks the latest installment in a series of non-intrusive inspection equipment (NIIE) delivered under the Merida Initiative.

This delivery supports Mexican efforts to counter organized crime and underscores the commitment of both countries to cooperate against drug trafficking under the principles of shared responsibility and mutual respect for each country’s sovereignty.