Mexican Prisons face 400% increase in 'Narco-Women' inmates

The director of the Mexico's National Institute for Women (Inmujeres), Rocio Garcia Gaytan, stated that in the past five years the number of women in prison for the active participation of drug crimes or being involved with drug lords has increased by an astonishing 400 percent.

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"The percentage of women in prison for federal crimes has grown over 400 percent, however, we must also acknowledge that they are the weakest link, it is easier to catch them,".

- Rocio Garcia Gaytan

According to federal data from the Ministry of Public Safety, in 2009 there was a total of 11,376 women prisoners, of whom 70 percent are serving federal sentences for crimes against health.

The participation of women in the drug trade is not just because organized crime has increased over the years, but because it has become, in many instances, embedded in family structures.

It also happens that many women become involved with someone who is part of organized crime and, of course, there are cases where the woman's active participation is by simple choice or necessity.

Inmujeres director said it is still minimal, in comparison with men, the number of women who join the underworld, because they are concerned about leaving their children destitute. Women are not as willing to risk their family unity, their children's welfare.

In contrast, she said, the interest of men to join criminal organizations "is to have power, a nice vehicle, a weapon, anything that satisfies the here and now because they are aware that their life as a drug trafficker will be short, but the women think more about the kids and the future "

What we are now seeing is that within the drug gangs, "the code" of leaving families out of the affairs are no longer respected, the reality is that more often than not, families and loved ones of drug traffickers have become the focus of their rivals vengeance.