Pubdate: Mon, 28 May 2001 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2001 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 Author: Diana Washington Valdez Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) FOX SECURITY MISSED CAR WITH BODIES DURING VISIT The security for Mexican President Vicente Fox was the most professional for a president that Juarenses have seen in memory. Nevertheless, the Estado Mayor Presidencial (Mexico's Secret Service) overlooked an abandoned car left nearly in front of the Cibeles Convention Center where the president spoke last Wednesday. The Mexican federal security service sent an advance team to scout the area before the president's arrival, but they didn't notice the suspicious vehicle. After neighbors complained Thursday evening of a "putrid odor" emanating from the car, city police went out to check, opened the trunk and found the bodies of two men. Officials estimate the men had been dead two days, which would mean the abandoned car was there during Fox's Wednesday visit. Police said the men were tortured and shot to death. Road to Santa Teresa While in Juarez, Fox toured a computer assembly maquiladora and dedicated the new Francisco Villarreal Boulevard. The city thoroughfare was named after one of Juarez's most respected ex-mayors and a member of Fox's National Action Party. On this trip, Fox also was to help dedicate the Samalayuca-San Jeronimo highway that the Chihuahua state government building. But the plan was changed at the last minute, and Fox was "not available" for the state road ceremony. Critics said the state failed to consult with regional planners in Juarez and El Paso about the project and paid for it with scarce public money. Some even charged that it would help drug dealers the most. The road begins south of the kilometer 28 checkpoint, bypasses Juarez and proceeds northwest to San Jeronimo, which is opposite Santa Teresa. New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and developers of the proposed binational San Jeronimo-Santa Teresa community strongly support it. The Scenario Forget illegal drug trafficking. Could the road help legitimate marijuana exporters and importers? Johnson has been at the forefront of efforts to decriminalize marijuana in New Mexico. This past session, New Mexico lawmakers narrowly defeated efforts to decriminalize marijuana, or at least have it allowed for medicinal purposes. The lobby to decriminalize plans to build on the momentum. But where does this all lead? Well, if New Mexico decriminalizes marijuana, the raw or processed product is going to have to come from somewhere. Based on the recent record marijuana seizures by U.S. federal agents at El Paso international bridges, Chihuahua state is enjoying a bumper crop this year. Drug officials say marijuana continues to grow in Chihuahua's central mountains. If it becomes legal in New Mexico, the logical doorway would be the San Jeronimo-Santa Teresa border crossing. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk