Mexican cartels are behind the thousands of migrants flooding over the US border — with sources saying it shows exactly how much power they wield, border sources tell The Post.
“They have a lot of power; they’re the most powerful organization in Mexico,” former Texas Congresswoman Mayra Flores told The Post Tuesday.
“They’re better funded than our own Border Patrol agents.”
Border towns like Eagle Pass and El Paso, both in Texas, have seen mobs of more than 2,000 migrants at once turning themselves over to Border Patrol over the last week and overwhelming field agents, which the agency has now said the cartels are behind.
“They’re using military tactics, the same way we do,” retired Border Patrol chief Thaddeus Cleveland told The Post.
When a specific city sees an increase in migrants crossings Border Patrol have to pull resources from other areas to respond, but that leaves remote regions with less staff, making it less secure and giving cartels the opportunity to take adventage and move criminals or drugs across the border, Cleveland explained.
“Border Patrol [are] overwhelmed by the staggering amount of people who continue to come over, but that goes to show you that the Mexican cartels control the border.
“They dictate our operational response. They know that we’re still the greatest country in the world and will ensure [migrants’] rights. The cartels are clearly dictating on a daily basis how Border Patrol operates.”
Not only are criminal organizations south of the border manipulating how the US Border Patrol and sister agency Office of Field Operations allocate their resources, they can also affect vital international trade.
During the surge last week, international bridges were shut down so agents, who normally inspect cargo or people legally coming and going between the US and Mexico, could help Border Patrol screen illegal immigrants.
In tiny Eagle Pass, which has a population of 28,000, the mayor told The Post their bridge closure cost the town $15,000 a day.
It also meant goods coming from Mexico to the US, like car parts, were stuck in transit.
A South Texas resident and wife of a Border Patrol agent, Flores pointed to how cartels make an estimated $13 billion a year by smuggling migrants into the US alone.
In some areas of the border, cartels have total control over who can cross according to Border Patrol sources.
“East of El Paso, no one comes over unless you pay the cartels,” an agent, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.
“That area is really bad right now because south of the border, there’s cartel infighting, so migrants might end up having to pay twice to get across.”
But illegal immigrant smuggling is just a side hustle compared to where the money made from smuggling drugs.
While there is no official total as to how much cartels make selling drugs to Americans, estimates range as high as $500 million a year — more money than Walmart makes — according to the Washington Post.
Cartels even disrupt legitmate businesses too. In the last two years, they have expanded by trying to force bribes from Mexico’s fisheries and avocado farmers.
Cartel thugs threatened United States Department of Agriculture workers inspecting avocados last year — causing the US to ban imports of the fruit until Mexico could assure safety to those inspecting the produce.
“They’re just taking over [Mexico.] There’s no longer going to be a government [there] at some point,” Cleveland added.
This week, the ruthless cartels put their disregard for human life on full display. First, a Border Patrol agent in Texas was attacked and bitten by a cartel member who crossed into the US — leaving the agent bloodied and injured.
The defector had been labeled a “rat” by the cartel, which had etched the word onto his forehead.
“What I’m upset about is the Biden Administration says nothing. No acknowledgement, doesn’t come out and say, ‘We will not allow this. We will hold accountable anyone that attacks our Border Patrol agents,'” Flores fumed.
And on Tuesday a two-month old baby was abandoned by smugglers near Rio Grande City, Texas.
“This is a chilling reminder of how children as being exploited by human smugglers and criminal organization every day,” the agency posted online.
Despite the strong grip the Mexican mafias have on the border, Flores blamed US policies for the border crisis.
“It’s the Biden Administration’s policies that are bringing millions of people to this country because when you’re being told that if you come to the United States illegally you will be allowed to stay, you will risk everything to come here,” she said.