Drug Violence Seeps into the U.S from Mexico

U.S. authorities are seeing a spike in killings and kidnappings in relation to the drug violence that is surging through Mexico. Many policymakers are suprised because the violence is not taking place in border towns but in places which are far away like Phoenix and Atlanta.

Mexican drug cartels have drug-dealing operations all over the country, in places like Anchorage, Alaska and Boston. U.S. investigators say that this might lead to violence erupting in various parts of the country.

"The violence follows the drugs," said David Cuthbertson, agent in charge of El Paso's FBI office.

The violence takes many forms. Addicts who owe money are kidnapped until they pay up. Cartel employees who skim off the top are disciplined through beatings and kidnappings. And drug smugglers kidnap illegal immigrants when they clash with human smugglers over the use of secret routes from Mexico.