Law enforcement cooperation between the United States and Mexico has come an impressively long way in the past four years to coordinate and improve our border security.

Earlier this week in Idaho, I took part in the fourth meeting of state Attorneys General from both countries in the past four years. The meeting was convened by the U.S. Conference of Western Attorneys General, an organization I chaired last year. It included Mexico Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora as well as 20 Mexican state AGs. Also attending were senior officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Justice Department.

Each of the four meetings has built on progress made at the ones before. The difference in attitude and ambition between our first meeting in 2005 and this one was dramatic. We have achieved a level of trust and common purpose that is enhancing law enforcement in both nations. Our capacity to work together more effectively is further abetted by the federal government's $1.6 billion Merida Initiative, which is focused on combating border crime. It provides substantial resources for investigating and prosecuting organized drug smuggling, human smuggling, arms smuggling and money laundering.

While I'm encouraged by our greatly increased cooperation, I'm also mindful of the large challenges we face. What we have long called "border crime" is no longer just a border issue; drug cartels based in Mexico have a presence today in more than 200 cities across the United States. Gruesome incidents of cartel violence have been reported in such distant places as Milwaukee and Baltimore. The well-funded and heavily armed cartels use unspeakable brutality as a trademark and pose a threat to our national security.  

At the Idaho meeting, I gave a presentation on Arizona’s efforts to stop illegal money transfers that are pouring money across the border to the cartels in Mexico. Investigative techniques pioneered in Arizona have proven effective and can be applied in other states and in Mexico for a much greater impact.  Our goal is to disrupt, slow and ultimately stop the flow of cash to the cartels.

Collaboration with our Mexican counterparts promises great improvements in border security. Attorney General of Mexico Eduardo Medina Mora invited me to come to Mexico City soon for further border security discussions, and I look forward to that opportunity. Both of our countries have much to gain from a stronger law enforcement partnership.

Terry Goddard