### Increase in Marijuana Plantations in Tecate
Hidden among the misty canyons and moist valleys of Tecate, such as the slopes of Cerro Bola and the remote mountainous areas of La Rumorosa, authorities have observed a significant increase in marijuana plantations. These clandestine grow operations have become a thriving business, with most of the harvest being trafficked to the United States, and a substantial portion distributed within Mexico, notably in the rural and urban areas of Tecate and the municipalities of Tijuana, Rosarito, and Mexicali.
Once harvested, the marijuana is processed and packaged either for smoking or to produce wax, an oily substance derived from cannabinoids mixed with butane, commonly used in electronic cigarettes. “Drugs are usually sold in doses or combined as the customer prefers. For instance, a small bag of marijuana can cost around 50 pesos, depending on its quality, while higher purity products come at a steeper price. Wax-infused marijuana products can range about 400 to 500 pesos, and cocaine might cost up to 900 pesos for a small amount,” explained an informant.
On August 20, authorities reported the discovery and eradication of a thousand-square-meter plantation housing six thousand marijuana plants, thanks to a tip-off from a local citizen. The field was located in La Rumorosa, utilizing a drip irrigation system to maintain the plants, which were all burnt on-site by the Secretariat of Citizen Security and the State Force members, without notifying federal agents from the General Prosecutor’s Office.
A member of the National Defense Secretariat stationed in Tecate emphasized the ongoing efforts to locate and destroy such plantations. Remarking on the territory’s challenging access and natural camouflage, they highlighted the constant risk these operations pose to hikers, who might inadvertently come across these guarded plantations or encounter hostile interactions with caretakers.
#### Second Article: Increased Narcolaboratories and Forced Labor in Tecate
In recent years, from 2021 onward, state investigators have found multiple narcolaboratories and marijuana plantations in Tecate. The operations often involve forced labor, where individuals, like locals JoaquÃn, are deceived with false promises of employment, then coerced into extensive, grueling work within dangerous environments.
JoaquÃn’s plight is a harrowing example of this exploitation. Conned into a 20-hour workday under harsh conditions without pay, he only escaped when the guards of the plantation in Valle de las Palmas left temporarily. His escape was fueled by sheer will and fortuitous timing, culminating in a fortunate encounter with a passing trailer driver who gave him a life-saving ride away from captivity.
The scale of these operations is extensive. In 2023, authorities located several large plantations within the same region, housing up to 27,000 marijuana plants and multiple narcolaboratories with substantial chemical installations. Despite ongoing eradication efforts, local law enforcement faces significant challenges due to corruption, with many officials allegedly turning a blind eye in exchange for payments from drug cartels.
These plantations and laboratories significantly reduce production costs for cartels and bolster drug trafficking operations along the US-Mexico border, where only a small fraction of the contraband is intercepted despite rigorous US protocols. Tecate remains a key strategic point for these illicit activities, surrounded by supportive local terrain and a network of criminal logistics.
### TJGringo – Stay Updated on Border News
For more comprehensive coverage on this matter:
– **DEA Raids Uncover Major Marijuana Trafficking Hub in Tecate:** Recent joint operations between Mexican and US authorities have led to significant busts in Tecate, revealing extensive marijuana trafficking networks.
– **Local Law Enforcement Complicity in Drug Operations:** Investigations continue to expose the depth of local law enforcement’s involvement in aiding and abetting drug traffickers, jeopardizing public safety and trust.
Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for updates on these and other critical developments impacting border security and community safety.