Local opinion: Biden's menthol misstep is gateway to crime

In December, the number of border crossings from Mexico surpassed 249,000, an all-time high, according to federal data. Out of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) nine geographic areas on the Mexican border, Tucson, Arizona, was the busiest area for illegal crossings with 80,185 arrests. While our southern border remains overrun with migrants and illegal activity, the risk of cartels smuggling in illicit drugs remains high.

This rate of illegal crossings and the cartel’s operational control of the border has allowed dangerous drugs to persistently infiltrate our communities. These drugs are often laced with synthetic chemicals, making them highly lethal. In January, Arizona Attorney General Mayes announced that over a half-million illicit fentanyl pills were seized by the government.

As Arizona continues to grapple with the persistent challenges of the unprecedented number of illegal border crossings and the influx of deadly drugs, the Biden administration’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes threatens to make this crisis even worse.

This menthol ban would inadvertently fund increased cartel activity by adding a product in high demand — cigarettes — into the black market. It would undoubtedly push smokers into the arms of illegal suppliers, providing yet another revenue stream for criminal organizations.

In fact, cartels have already capitalized on a smaller scale targeting demand created by a similar ban California enacted last year. According to a survey of discarded cigarette packs conducted after the ban, a brand known as “Sheriff,” with ties to Mexican cartels and not intended for sale in the U.S., has already emerged as the fifth most common brand in the state to show up in this analysis. California should serve as a warning to those seeking to further prohibit menthol products, given the potential to contribute to the profitability of cartels and other criminal organizations.

The last thing Arizona needs is a boost to cartels and their illicit trade, which will, in turn, jeopardize the health and safety of our communities. History has shown us that when certain products are banned, such as alcohol during the prohibition movement, an underground market emerges to meet demand. If the ban were finalized, the vacuum created by the absence of legal avenues to purchase these products would be filled by illegal channels, further burdening law enforcement, who are working 24/7 to combat the current overwhelming surge in smuggling and trafficking.

We already know that the cartels are in search of new revenue streams. In 2020, Arizona legalized marijuana, which subsequently brought about a shift in the dynamics of the drug market. As the legal cannabis industry has grown, it has created a gap in revenue for cartels who previously used marijuana sales to prop up the more dangerous production of harder drugs. In the absence of the illegal marijuana market, cartels are eagerly awaiting a federal menthol cigarette ban that could fill their revenue gap as demand for illicit products expands nationwide.

The illicit drug trade and the activities of cartels are complex issues that present an unprecedented challenge for border patrol. Banning menthols would only make the situation worse. Our focus should remain on securing our border, combating drug trafficking, and dismantling cartel operations. Arizona needs a balanced strategy that addresses both public health and border security, ensuring that one does not come at the expense of the other. It is crucial that the Biden administration take into account the broader implications of their decisions and the impact it would have on border security and the fight against drug trafficking and cartels in our state and nationwide. I hope our elected representatives in Congress will prioritize the safety of our communities and urge President Biden to withhold moving forward on the menthol ban.