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Body of US Marshal Vincent Bustamante Found in Juarez, Mexico: Drug War Victim?

By Javier Lavagnino, Esq. on March 26, 2009 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

In a day where there was no shortage of news about the rising drug-related violence in Mexico, CNN now reports that the body of U.S. marshal Vincent Bustamante has been discovered in Juarez, Mexico, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Details are still scarce at this early stage and CNN noted that Marshals Service spokesman Jeff Carter wouldn't comment on the apparent cause of death, but did Carter did mention that there was actually a "warrant for Bustamante's arrest on charges of criminal theft of public property."

An ABC report, added a few more details:

"At the time of his death Bustamante was on administrative leave for failure to appear in court on charges of criminal theft of public property, according to Jeff Carter, a spokesman for the U.S. Marshal's office. The charges required that his weapon, credentials and badges be retained by his supervisor outside of work hours, Carter said."

The news has been replete the past few days with reports of rising drug violence in Mexico (with an Anderson Cooper report specifically about Juarez), which is spilling over the border as well. This latest report will likely stoke the flames of public and official concern over the issue, and perhaps result in additional calls for increasing enforcement and manpower at the border.

Although drug laws are some of the toughest in the books, some have argued this has done little to deter the high demand for drugs from this side of the border, which in turn results in further drug cartel-related violence south of the border.

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