Mexican Cartels Are Not Playing Around and They Will Stop At Nothin

Mexican cartels have been ravaging the pristine forests that cover the vast state of California. Unlike anything that has ever been seen, the size of the cartels marijuana fields dwarf any fields planted by the residents of California. As the medical marijuana movement sweeps across the country the cartels have found a way to exploit the relaxed marijuana laws. Plant numbers are of no concern to the cartels who smuggle illegal immigrants into the country to tend 70,000 plant crops on public lands, which end up yielding 35 to 75,000 pounds of marijuana in one harvest. At the end of the day it makes financial sense for the cartels to grow marijuana in the United States, having the product already on this side of the border saves millions in transportation costs. When the marijuana is harvested the cartels can easily move the drug to every major city in the United States. California is finding that it simply does not have the manpower to police these activities.

Brent Wood, a supervisor for the California Department of Justice's Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, said to the AP; "just like the Mexicans took over the methamphetamine trade, they've gone to mega, monster gardens". Methamphetamine production shifted across the border into Mexico a few years back when the United States cracked down on the availability of Pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in Meth. The meth labs created in Mexico were larger than any ever attempted before, reminiscent of the scale of the guerrilla marijuana operations taking place in the States. The cartels are not playing around and they will stop at nothing to get what they desire - billions of dollars.

On top of trashing public lands, the cartels have been holding people hostage on the farms to work the land. The cartels find out where their workers' families are back in Mexico and use their loved ones as leverage to keep them working. "Many of the plots are encircled with crude explosives and are patrolled by guards armed with AK-47s who survey the perimeter from the ground and from perches high in the trees", according to an AP report. How are local authorities supposed to combat this growing threat?

Safin Thinks that Agassi should "Give his Titles, his Money and his Grand Slam Titles" Back

The Andre Agassi public trial continues as he faces a barrage of scrutiny regarding what he revealed in his autobiography "Open". Just yesterday, Former No. 1 ranked Marat Safin thinks that Agassi should "give his titles, his money and his Grand Slam titles" back. Safin, like many other pro tennis players, has become outraged and cannot believe that Agassi would come out with this information. Why would Agassi do this, he doesn't need the money? Agassi had to believe that in one way or another the ATP will take action regarding what has happened. The ATP has still not commented on Agassi's confession, but, the tennis community is certainly speaking up.

"The ATP allowed him to win a lot of tournaments, a lot of money. It kept his secret. Why does he need to be so cruel with it? If he is as fair play as he says he is, he has to go to the end. You know, the ATP has a bank account and he can give the money back if he wants", Safin said to ESPN. What the ATP will make Agassi do is yet to be seen, although, it seems like Agassi is completely prepared to deal with the possible repercussions. Agassi couldn't live with the shame of having lied to the ATP, so he came clean regardless of the penalties. Agassi had a very interesting and stressful life and at one point he broke down and used methamphetamine to escape. Agassi broke free from the drugs and went on to win more championships sober.

In no way is Agassi's behavior back in 1997 excusable, maybe no action should be taken by the ATP. Agassi had an amazing career and it wouldn't have been so successful if he were high on Meth during all of those 20 years. Nobody is perfect, people make poor decisions from time to time; Agassi is one of those people, but, he had the courage to come clean even if it was years later. Maybe Agassi's courage will give other tennis players the strength to come forward or better yet, not mess with drugs at all.

See here: Part 2 Andre Agassi tells Katie Couric how he picked up his life and revived his career. He went from number 141 to the very top in the rankings, perhaps one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.


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