This week, as part of a delegation of five state attorneys general, I met with Mexican attorneys general and federal officials in Mexico City, Mexico to strengthen working relationships between government officials in both countries and bolster efforts to combat transnational crime. Just as those involved in criminal trafficking have no respect for the rule of law, they have no respect for jurisdictional boundaries. This type of criminal activity—trafficking in humans, drugs, weapons, and other illegal contraband—relies upon and propagates a wide network of interrelated activity. Countering these international criminal enterprises requires strong partnerships and coordinated effort by all who are affected. We receive the third highest number of calls to the National Human Trafficking hotline, and I am committed to exploring every means available to combat this horrific crime.
I was joined by California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and New Mexico Attorney General Gary King. We met with Mexico Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam, President of the National Banking Commission Jaime Gonzalez Aguade, Secretary of Economy Ildefonso Guajardo, General Director of the Mexico Institute of Industrial Property Miguel Margain, and Commissioner of National Security Manuel Mondragon y Kalb. We also met with State Attorneys General from: Sonora, Baja California, Chihuahua, Campeche, Distrito Federal, Zacatecas and Jalisco.
We discussed mutual cooperation in areas of technology, sharing of information and coordination of prosecutions to combat human trafficking, cybercrime and child pornography distribution. We specifically focused on increasing mutual strategic support to combat the problem of international money laundering. The delegation of attorneys general signed a letter of intent with the National Banking and Securities Commission of Mexico to establish a bi-national working group on money laundering enforcement. By entering into this agreement, we are collaborating on how to end the funding of widespread transnational criminal rings. I am grateful to the Mexican government and my fellow state attorneys general for their shared commitment to this goal.
In closing, on Thursday I attended the memorial service for Windermere Police Officer Robert German. Officer German lost his life bravely serving his community. My prayers are with his family and friends as we all mourn this tragic loss. Officer German will forever be remembered for his courage and selflessness.
I was joined by California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and New Mexico Attorney General Gary King. We met with Mexico Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam, President of the National Banking Commission Jaime Gonzalez Aguade, Secretary of Economy Ildefonso Guajardo, General Director of the Mexico Institute of Industrial Property Miguel Margain, and Commissioner of National Security Manuel Mondragon y Kalb. We also met with State Attorneys General from: Sonora, Baja California, Chihuahua, Campeche, Distrito Federal, Zacatecas and Jalisco.
We discussed mutual cooperation in areas of technology, sharing of information and coordination of prosecutions to combat human trafficking, cybercrime and child pornography distribution. We specifically focused on increasing mutual strategic support to combat the problem of international money laundering. The delegation of attorneys general signed a letter of intent with the National Banking and Securities Commission of Mexico to establish a bi-national working group on money laundering enforcement. By entering into this agreement, we are collaborating on how to end the funding of widespread transnational criminal rings. I am grateful to the Mexican government and my fellow state attorneys general for their shared commitment to this goal.
In closing, on Thursday I attended the memorial service for Windermere Police Officer Robert German. Officer German lost his life bravely serving his community. My prayers are with his family and friends as we all mourn this tragic loss. Officer German will forever be remembered for his courage and selflessness.