Union Pacific is facing $38 million in fines after authorities found drugs stashed in its trains headed to the U.S. from Mexico, reports Bloomberg News.
A Mexican newspaper, Reforma, alleges that railroads in Mexico have less security than Mexican airports, and thus have gained the interest of Mexican drug lords.
Drug gangs, reports Reforma, have taken control of some 2,500 miles of rail line in Mexico.
Bloomberg said UP officials have confirmed the railroad has accumulated more than $38 million in fines for drugs found on its cargo trains coming from Mexico. UP spokesperson Donna Kush told Bloomberg that UP hasnt paid the fines and is contesting them in a Nebraska court.
Customs officials fine rail companies $500 for each ounce of marijuana found on their trains, and $1000 per ounce of cocaine, Reforma reported.
Bloomberg, citing U.S. government data, said that Mexican cartels sell $13.8 billion a year of cocaine and other drugs to traffickers in the U.S.
(The preceding article was published by Bloomberg News)
