Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutani

Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich (L) is surrounded by Skid Row activists as he tries to announce a new civil injunction against several dozen individuals, including gang members in an attempt to stem drug activity in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles on April 7, 2010. Mexican drug cartels are increasing their dominance in the illegal US drug market through closer ties with street gangs and increased production, according to a recent US Justice Department report. Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs), "already the predominant wholesale suppliers of illicit drugs in the United States, are gaining even greater strength in eastern drug markets where Colombian DTO strength is diminishing," read the report. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)