I apologize for the delay – computer bugs seem to be going around as our Internet was down most of the day.  Below is our response to your request.  Turns out the Mexican Attorney General released new numbers today (per the BBC – link below).  The number of deaths is now more than 30,000 and per the Mexican government, “most of the killings are concentrated in certain regions, particularly the northern border states.”  Below is a statement attributable to Congressman Smith. 

According to Mexican Attorney General Arturo Chavez, deaths due to drug-related violence have topped 30,000 in Mexico.  As the BBC reports, “the Mexican government says many of the deaths are the result of fighting between rival gangs over territory and smuggling routes into the US. Most of the killings are concentrated in certain regions, particularly the northern border states.” 

“We should be concerned when drug-related violence takes the lives of more than 30,000 people in a neighboring country like Mexico, regardless of whether the killings are on the border or in the interior. Mexican drug cartels and drug-related violence pose a serious threat to border states, including Texas, and our law enforcement officials.” 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12012425