It's been a total disappointment. Metales is not an isolated case. The agency concedes it doesn't know how much hazardous material is shipped south to the more than 2,000 maquiladoras that dot the border. Like Metales, many maquilas are thought to be stockpiling their waste, but illegal dump sites have turned up on both sides of the border. There have been no extradition efforts to date.
Local environmentalists are skeptical, and losing patience.
Otherwise, this will happen again and again. All letters to the editor are for publication and may be edited for length and clarity.