gun ammunition being smuggled south -- presumably to arm the cartels. The army's security chief in Nuevo Laredo, General Alvaro Moreno, said this week residents should "bet on Nuevo Laredo, bet that we are going to eradicate organized crime." But most people are skeptical as the death toll rises. Critics say very few cartel enforcers have been put behind bars and there is no evidence the tighter security will stem the flow of illegal drugs across the border. "Neither the United States nor Mexican governments are able to eradicate organized crime," said a vendor selling tourist trinkets in a city market. "We just hope that one or other of the bands wins so that we can have some peace." --SP 2252 Local Time 1952 GMT
