NAL BANK ON PAT
BOOKER ROAD.
POLICE SAY HE TOOK OFF WITH
$1,800 IN THAT ROBBERY.
>> Steve: NOT ONLY IS SAN
ANTONIO A MAJOR HUB FOR ILLEGAL
DRUGS, MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS AT
THE ROOT OF THE VIOLENCE WE'VE
SEEN ON THE CITY'S EAST SIDE.
THE U.S. DRUG ENFORCEMENT
ADMINISTRATION, THE DEA, SAYS
THEY REMAIN THE NATION'S
GREATEST CRIMINAL DRUG THREAT.
JESSE DEGOLLADO REPORTS SAN
ANTONIO'S EAST SIDE COMMUNITY IS
CERTAINLY SEEING THE DEADLY
CONSEQUENCES.
>> WE'RE FED UP, FATHER GOD.
>> Reporter: LAST SUMMER'S
SHOOTING OF A 4-YEAR-OLD CAME TO
SYMBOLIZE THE HUMAN COST OF THE
EAST SIDE PERSISTENT VIOLENT
FLAIR-UPS.
>> WHEREVER YOU HAVE DRUGS,
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE GUNS.
WHEREVER YOU HAVE GUNS, YOU'RE
GOING TO HAVE VIOLENCE.
>> Reporter: AN ILLEGAL BOUNTY
OF DRUGS.
ANYTHING THAT CAN BE SWALLOWED,
SMOKED, INJECTED OR INHALED.
THE MAJORITY SUPPLIED BY MEXICAN
DRUG CARTELS FOR SALE BY STREET
GANGS FOR THEIR OWN PROFIT OR TO
PAY BACK THE CARTELS
>> WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING, IT'S
THAT STREET LEVEL ISSUE THAT IS
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO TARGET
BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S CAUSING
THE VIOLENCE.
>> Reporter: BLOODSHED OVER
TERRITORY, A TURF WAR OVER WHO
GETS TO SELL WHAT WHERE.
>> AND GREED IS ALWAYS AT THE
TOP O THAT LIST.
>> Reporter: SO SAYS THE CHIEF
AGENT IN CHARGE FOR DEA'S
HOUSTON DIVISION.
COMMAND AND CONTROL REMAINS IN
MEXICO, BUT DEA SAYS FOUR MAJOR
MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS HAVE A
SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE HERE.
>> THEY HAVE DISTRIBUTION CELLS.
THEY'VE GOT TRANSPORTATION
CELLS.
THEY'VE GOT MONEY LAUNDERING
CELLS.
THEY KIND OF WALL THEMSELVES OFF
FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION SO THAT
IF SOMEBODY WAS TO GET ARRESTED,
THEY CAN'T BRING DOWN THE WHOLE
ORGANIZATION.
>> COME TO THE DOOR!
>> Reporter: THAT'S WHERE THE
LONE STAR FUGITIVE TASK FORCE
AND OTHER COMBINED LAW
ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS GO AFTER
STREET LEVEL AND MID LEVEL
OPERATORS, POTENTIAL POINTS OF
CONTACT FOR THE CARTELS.
>> THAT'S HOW WE CAN BEST ATTACK
THEM AND DISRUPT AND DISMANTLE
THEIR OPERATIONS.
>> A SEEMINGLY NEVER ENDING
BATTLE.
>> COME ON, OPEN THE DOOR!
