Pete Domenici: “drugs are the engine of violence. According to the DEA, 50 percent of all violent crime happens because people are on…”

“drugs are the engine of violence. According to the DEA, 50 percent of all violent crime happens because people are on drugs. One-third of all homicides in the United States have a relationship to narcotics. The relationship to this amendment, 70 percent of the cocaine comes across from Mexico; 50 percent of the marijuana, and much of the other substances that we fear so much. In fact, substantial amounts of Mexican-grown heroin is sold here. In summary, we go through a great effort to indict Mexican drug kingpins and the indictments are not worth the paper they are written on because 99 outstanding extradition requests, 110 individuals are under indictment from us, and the Mexican Government will do nothing about it so far. Mexico is the safe haven for drug smugglers. Indicted drug lords live an open life in a notorious style, in many cases, in many parts of Mexico. When the DEA Administrator was in Mexico in April, one of the top three most wanted barons called in to a talk show and stated, as I have said before: ``They don't find me because they don't want to. I go to banks, I drive highways, I pass through Federal judicial policy check points, and it doesn't matter.'' Mr. President, I hope this discussion today, and the vote, which I think will be overwhelming, will indicate to Mexico we are gravely concerned about our country and at the same time we are gravely concerned about theirs. I yield the floor.”