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Gringo Gazette

Police Bust Drug Warehouse in TJ With Fentanyl Pills and Firearms

Mexican authorities continue to make strides in their fight against drug trafficking, as they recently announced the dismantling of another synthetic drug warehouse in the city of Tijuana, Baja California.

According to local news source El Vigia, the operation was carried out by the Federal Police in coordination with the Mexican Army and the National Guard. The warehouse was located in the Mesa de Otay neighborhood and contained 300 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3,000 fentanyl pills, both highly addictive and dangerous synthetic drugs.

This is not the first time that Mexican authorities have targeted drug traffickers in Tijuana, as the city is known to be a major hub for the trafficking of drugs into the United States. In fact, just yesterday, two men were arrested by the State Security and Citizen Protection Guard (FESC) for possession of four firearms and pills of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine.

The men were identified as 25-year-old Francisco N. and 29-year-old Alejandro N., who were traveling in a white SUV when they were stopped by FESC officers. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the officers found the weapons and drugs, prompting the arrest of the suspects.

The FESC has been working in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies to crack down on drug trafficking and other criminal activities in Tijuana. This latest arrest is just one example of the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of citizens in the area.

Drug trafficking remains a significant problem in Mexico, with drug cartels vying for control of territory and smuggling routes. However, authorities have made significant progress in recent years, as evidenced by the dismantling of drug warehouses and the arrests of traffickers. It is important that these efforts continue to prevent the harmful effects of drug addiction on individuals and communities.

SOURCE: El Vigia, El Imparcial

Join Beach Cleaning Efforts in Ensenada

David “El Chiquis” Quintero, a young influencer, is inviting the community to participate in the cleaning of Playa Pacífica, which will take place on Saturday, March 25th. The activity is coordinated by AO Latinoamerica and CUT Universidad Campus Ensenada and aims to maintain the place in optimal conditions for the community and the species that inhabit it, such as the birds that nest there.

The activity will begin at 9:00 am and will last until noon. Citizen participation, especially from local residents, is essential to achieve greater waste collection.

“These actions are part of an annual cleaning program that seeks to generate awareness and promote marine education, the reduction of plastic waste, responsible consumption, and the formation of sustainable communities,” said Norma López Saucedo, director of CUT Universidad, Campus Ensenada. There will be cleanings throughout the year.

This year, five cleanings will be carried out on beaches and streams in the city, thanks to the support of the Mares Foundation, which promotes ocean literacy through an education program on caring for the seas. Last year, thanks to the cleanings carried out, more than 1,475 kilograms of waste were prevented from reaching the sea, and close to 9% of the collected waste was recycled. The goal is to exceed the number of 445 people who participated in the cleanings last year and achieve greater environmental awareness in the community.

SOURCE: El Vigia

Baja Promotes its Sport Fishing Activities in San Diego

The coasts of Baja California offer the experience of enjoying sport fishing for most of the year, due to their variety of climates, landscapes, and species, highlighted the Secretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Sepesca), Alma Rosa García Juárez, while participating in the traditional “Day at the Dock’s” event in San Diego. The state official brought greetings from Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, at a family-friendly gathering attended by hundreds of sport fishing enthusiasts, including promoters who showed interest in the attractions of Baja California at all times.

The event, convened by Ken Franke, president of the Sportfishing Association of California (SAC), was attended by the Mexican Consul General in San Diego, Carlos González Gutiérrez, as well as Alberto Lozano, tourism promoter from the same diplomatic mission. García Juárez indicated that it is important for Baja California to have a presence at this symbolic and traditional meeting, in a friendly atmosphere that brings together service providers, enthusiasts, and professionals in sport fishing.

She said that, as neighboring states, California and Baja California are part of a region of interest to many service providers who participate in this exciting and generous activity. “The landscapes, variety of species, and climate make it possible for us to enjoy the benefits of the sea in Baja California for most of the year, especially with a culture of years, from those who live close to the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez,” she said. She recalled that this year, 11 official tournaments have been scheduled in this state, in a calendar supported by SEPESCA, which will take place mainly in the Bay of Ensenada, San Quintín, Bahía de los Ángeles, Isla de Cedros, and San Felipe.

Of the 11 official tournaments, she highlighted the International Championship “Copa Baja California” which consists of 4 tournaments: in San Felipe (June 23 and 24), Bahía de los Ángeles (July 21 and 22), Ensenada (August 25 and 26), and the grand final in San Quintín (September 22 and 23). She also mentioned that the “Bluefin Tuna Tournament” is scheduled (May 26, 27 and 28), and the first exclusive women’s tournament, called “Queens of the Sea” (October 20 and 21). She indicated that information on sport fishing destinations and tournaments is available on the website bajacalifornia.gob.mx/sepesca, which has an interactive design that interested parties can access. She informed them that, as sport fishing practitioners, they can travel to Mexico with a boat on a trailer, for which they must complete a federal procedure, consisting of temporary importation at Banjercito offices, for which they must have a passport and legal information about their boat.

From May to September, the SEPESCA head suggested that the best months for sport fishing in Baja California are from May to September when bluefin tuna, castilla mackerel, dorado, croaker, marlin, bonita, grouper, sea bass, snapper, rockfish, sole, vieja, or lingcod, among others, can be caught. It is worth noting that the California Sportfishing Association offered to disseminate the sport fishing activities that will take place during the year in Baja California through its digital media.

SOURCE: El Vigia

Cloud-Seeding Project Operates in Baja California to Combat Drought

The rain stimulation project in Baja California has already begun operating this year, and it involves releasing silver iodide molecules into the clouds, but without generating any waste in the environment, according to personnel from the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader). They detailed that these actions are under the responsibility of the National Commission for Arid Zones (Conaza). The molecules are placed in the path of the clouds to precipitate rain in the areas of interest, which generates humidity and runoff towards the prairies and dams, as explained.

In the state, the rain stimulation project began in the winter of 2022 and, to date, two flights have been carried out with the Mexican Air Force (FAM) King Air 5213 aircraft, on February 15 and 20 of 2023, when favorable cloud conditions were present. The state agency referred that the flights covered the southern area of ​​the polygon over the territory of the municipalities of Ensenada and San Quintín. Specifically, over the localities of El Descanso, La Huertita, and Cataviña in the southern part, and San José, El Morro, El Descanso, and Kilometer 147. In total, 120 liters of the mentioned reactive were released during the two flights.

According to Sader’s data, in the following days, they will do the same in the region of Bajo Río Bravo Tamaulipas, where the state government will contribute a Turbocommander twin-engine aircraft. This will be in Irrigation District 025, in order to counteract the effects of drought in agriculture and livestock in these areas. “In 2021, this 100% national technology was implemented for the first time in Mexico. It allowed an average increase of 45.1% in excess of rainfall, which is positive since the American Meteorological Society recognizes increases in liquid between 10 and 20 percent as successful,” they detailed in the official information.

Regarding the Turbocommander aircraft, they mentioned that it has the desired characteristics to carry out rain stimulation over the established polygon and based on the cloud and humidity characteristics that pass over the defined region. The stimulation area will be the one corresponding to the polygon carried out the previous year, over irrigation districts DR-024 and DR-025. For this, they spoke with the producers to detail the dates and type of stimulation, which is expected to start this week.

Agriculture personnel recalled that last year, the project also benefited polygons within Sonora, Sinaloa, the Lagunera Region, and Chihuahua. “Rain stimulation technology also helped combat at least 25 forest fires, mainly in the states of Nuevo León and Chihuahua, and to extinguish a remaining fire in the Sierra de Arteaga in 2021,” they referred. Finally, they assured that the planning and programming of this type of flight are carried out based on the analysis of meteorological conditions defined by the National Meteorological Service and with additional information obtained through mobile applications and satellite images.

SOURCE: El Vigia

Baja California Works to Ensure a Safe Medical Tourism Industry

The Governor of Baja California, Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda, has emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the right to health and safety for people who visit the state for medical tourism. In this regard, the Government of Baja California is working in coordination with the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) to support victims of medical malpractice and to advance the monitoring and certification of all private clinics that perform surgeries.

The state leader announced that two arrest warrants stemming from medical negligence have been executed and that follow-up actions are being taken to provide direct assistance to the victims. In addition, public policies are being generated to consolidate a public health system that provides quality and free service to the entire population, and supervision in the private sector has been strengthened so that all hospitals and clinics operating in the state comply with the law.

Governor Marina del Pilar highlighted that upon taking office, they found a significant development of the medical tourism sector in Baja California that was not accompanied by an effective regulation and supervision policy. Therefore, actions are being promoted to ensure that attention is guaranteed to everyone in the state, while the entire medical services sector, which generates significant economic momentum for the state, is developed.

The Government of Baja California has intensified supervision operations of clinics and hospitals in the state with the support of COEPRIS, ensuring that they operate in the best conditions and have trained and certified personnel to provide adequate care. Additionally, a reform has been presented that was approved by the Congress to criminally sanction those who perform medical procedures without the required preparation and certification, providing legal certainty to medical professionals and users and a normative basis to sanction those who seek to take advantage of people.

Governor Marina del Pilar has offered her full support to those affected and has assured that they will not allow medical activities to be carried out outside the law in her state.

SOURCE: Debate Digital

Over Two Hours To Go From Chapultepec to Maneadero, in Ensenada

The Chapultepec-Maneadero stretch of the Transpeninsular road, which normally take around 10 minutes to cross, took motorists over two hours to cross yesterday due to the highway conditions of the alternate road, as well as temporary road repair work that was carried out on the highway.

Through various social media groups, road users expressed their dissatisfaction with the traffic congestion registered from morning until evening, which caused delays in their arrival at their destinations, such as work and school.

The personnel of the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) in Baja California informed that, after the recent rains in the area, a layer of stone coating has been placed where it was most needed, in order to expedite the flow of mobile units. The rains on Wednesday caused damage to the road surface.

A mudslide was reported on the alternate road. Road users mentioned that there were sections with large puddles, where only sedan-type vehicles could barely pass. However, they warned others not to use the access road comprised by Francisco de Anza Avenue, a dirt road that runs parallel to the highway in front of the Immaculate Conception of Mary parish, where there was a mudslide and various vehicles were stuck since Wednesday afternoon.

SOURCE: El Vigia

Official Holiday Coming This Monday

Monday, March 20, 2023, will be a significant day for the people of Mexico as it has been declared an official holiday in honor of the birthday of Benito Juarez. This day is celebrated every year to honor the life and legacy of one of Mexico’s most important leaders.

Benito Juarez was a prominent statesman and lawyer who served as the President of Mexico from 1858 to 1872. He was a champion of democracy, freedom, and equality and is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Mexican history.

Juarez is known for his efforts to modernize Mexico and to establish a democratic government. He promoted education, religious tolerance, and the separation of church and state. He also worked to end slavery in Mexico and fought against foreign intervention in Mexican affairs.

The real holiday occurs on March 21st, but is celebrated on the nearest Monday.

Every year, Mexicans across the country come together to celebrate Juarez’s life and legacy. There are parades, speeches, and cultural celebrations to honor his contributions to Mexico.

Being an official holiday, employees and students get the day off, or if employees can’t get the day off they must be paid double their usual salary for the day.

Baja California Updates Cinematography Law

Baja California has the conditions to become one of the most important states in Mexico in the so-called “Screen Tourism”, that is, having a greater development of the film industry.

Claudia Agaton Muniz, state congresswoman, pointed this out and highlighted the interest of Governor Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda in promoting cinematographic activities.

In the State Congress, the legislator added, the Cinematography Law was already updated, which had not been modified for fifteen years and required updating language and technical terms, as well as including new information technologies.

She announced that the State Cinematography Advisory Council will be formally established in the near future, in which representatives from the different sectors participating in the industry will participate to coordinate actions and promote financing, as well as strengthen distribution and exhibition channels.

She commented that planning is underway for a large cinematographic forum and festival to be held in Baja California, in which activities can be held in most of the municipalities in the state.

Agaton Muniz emphasized that in Baja California there is a lot of talent in different artistic and creative areas, as well as a great diversity of settings or locations that can be used for film, television, and series productions.

One of the important points, she said, is to have the necessary financing for these types of productions and to offer conditions for producers from other parts of the country or abroad to come and produce in the region.

In some countries, she concluded, the so-called “screen tourism”, that is, the film and television industry, is an important generator of jobs and resources.

SOURCE: El Vigia

USA Issues Alert for Spring Breakers Traveling to Mexico

The United States has issued a travel alert for citizens traveling to Mexico during Spring Break, urging them to take precautions against potential risks such as violence, drugs, and unregulated alcohol, particularly in the beaches of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo.

The government warns that while thousands of US citizens travel to Mexico during this period safely each year, they should consider these recommendations when planning their trip.

The government advises that violence can occur anywhere in Mexico, even in tourist destinations, so travelers should remain vigilant of their surroundings, avoid areas where illegal activities occur, and quickly distance themselves from potentially dangerous situations.

“US citizens should exercise increased caution in the downtown areas of popular spring break vacation destinations, including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark,” the advisory states.

It emphasizes that the possession and use of drugs, including medical marijuana, is illegal in Mexico and can result in a lengthy prison sentence.

“US citizens have become seriously ill or died in Mexico after using synthetic drugs or adulterated prescription pills,” the alert warns.

The government advises that all firearms and even small amounts of ammunition are illegal in Mexico. Violations related to firearms and other weapons can result in an extended period in jail.

The advisory notes that unregulated alcohol can be contaminated, and US citizens have reported losing consciousness or being injured after consuming potentially contaminated alcohol.

In addition, it points out that counterfeit drugs are common and can be ineffective, have the wrong concentration, or contain dangerous ingredients, so they should only be purchased at regulated establishments.

There have been cases where US citizens have been victims of rape and sexual assault, the alert notes, and that perpetrators may target intoxicated or isolated individuals or use drugs that alter the victim’s physical or mental state.

Water Supply in Ensenada Insufficient for This Summer

The urban area of Ensenada will suffer serious water supply problems during the summer season, which requires immediate action to expand sources of supply, but also for the population to make more efficient use of the water resource. Wenceslao Martínez Santos, coordinator of the Water Interdisciplinary Group (GIA), indicated that while in other cities of the state the so-called “Green Bonus” was announced, in Ensenada no specific program with that resource is known. “In the last meeting we had with officials from the Secretariat for Water Management, Sanitation and Protection (Seproa), there was no specific data on any program already authorized to apply the Green Bonus in this municipality,” he said.

Martínez Santos indicated that the supply sources are insufficient to cover the demand of the Ensenada population, and with a distribution system that has constant leaks, between 30 to 40 percent of the distributed water is lost. He added that, so far, there is no knowledge of a substantial increase in supply sources, and regarding what is announced as the solution, which is the expansion of the water desalination plant, the works would take a year and a half to two years.

It is essential, emphasized Martínez Santos, that the amplification of that plant begins as soon as possible because as the supply sources decrease, the number of inhabitants increases, and consequently, the demand for water also increases.

SOURCE: El Vigia

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