Some factories also hire independent companies to haul their goods, making it even harder to spot security problems. As a result, drugs can be slipped into shipments at many points, with or without a company's knowledge. I see someone driving an expensive car or buying a new house, and I think maybe they bought it with drug money. A manager for another U.S.-owned maquiladora in Mexico, who also feared retribution if identified by name, said he knows drug traffickers have approached his drivers as they waited in line to enter the United States. He believes his employees have resisted the offers, but there's no way he can be sure.
Companies can be reluctant to tackle the problem.
Increasing security at the plants is expensive, and talking openly about smuggling might be dangerous. The manager who said he was offered a bribe received little guidance. We don't want to stifle trade, but by the same token we don't want to pretend that people aren't trying to smuggle drugs across the border. Finding statistics to show how thoroughly customs is screening the trucks is difficult. Customs officials wouldn't say how many truck shipments from Mexico to San Diego are pulled over and searched by agency dogs.