Mexico to Extend Anti-Drug Operations

By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO
Associated Press Writer

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexico's government said Thursday it would send troops and police to root out drug smugglers in several states, expanding an offensive that began this week in one violence-plagued state where soldiers clashed with traffickers trying to protect a marijuana field.

Attorney General Eduardo Medina said raids could take place simultaneously in various states, apparently to prevent traffickers from fleeing between regions. He declined to name the states.

"The operational design in each state will be different," he said. "The war against drug trafficking is very complicated, but it is a winnable war."

He said the idea was to wrest income and turf from drug traffickers.