Mexico’s Drug Cartels

Mexico’s Relationship with the US Main foreign supplier of marijuana Major supplier of methamphetamine Supplies a large share of heroin consumed 90% of cocaine enters US through Mexico US drug sale earnings range from $13.6 to $48.4 billion annually

Rise of the Mexican Drug Cartel Mexican Cartels became more powerful after Colombia’s Cali and Medellin cartels were destroyed in the 1990s Mexican Cartels dominate the wholesale illicit drug market in the US Arrests of key cartel leaders have led to increased violence as cartels fight for control of the trafficking routes into the US Some cartels use personal “enforcer gangs” to intimidate Mexican citizens and public officials

Cartel’s relationship with society Cartel’s use their vast resources to corrupt Mexican public officials Officials ignore activities or work directly for the cartels

Cartel Structure There are seven cartels operating in Mexico Major cartels have formed alliances with one another Rival alliances are in competition for territory The “Federation” is an alliance of three cartels

The Mexican Government’s Response The Mexican government has increased efforts to rid themselves of corrupt police since 2005 They have fought the cartels in many of Mexico’s states The Mexican president has pledged to cooperate with the US and has extradited criminals to the US

Government response continued: From Jan 2000 through Sept 2006, the Mexican Government arrested over 79,000 people on drug trafficking or related charges. 78,831 were low level dealers, 15 were cartel leaders, 74 were lieutenants, 53 were financial officers and 428 were hitmen or “sicarios” Another 10,000 were arrested from Dec 2006 through August 2007

Drug Trafficking Closure of cocaine trafficking route through Florida pushed cocaine traffic to Mexico Cartels have well established transportation networks

DEA Reports: Mexican Cartels show signs of organized crime such as distinct cells with subordinate cells that operate throughout the US Mexican Cartels are the leading wholesale launderers of drug money from the US $8.3 to $24.0 billion in drug proceeds are smuggled into Mexico from the US for laundering

Production in the US Mexican Cartels produce methamphetamine and marijuana in the US Production takes place on Federal land in California, the Pacific northwest, and eastern US Producers maintain a level of cooperation and move labor and materials to various sites as needed

Relationship with street gangs Increased relationships with gangs facilitates drug distribution Gangs like Latin Kings and MS-13 buy from Mexican drug cartels and distribute drugs in the Southwest According to the FBI, cartels focus on wholesale distribution and rely on street gangs to sell retail Cartels work with multiple gangs and do not take sides in gang conflict

Additional Criminal Activities: Human trafficking Auto Theft Kidnapping

Enforcer Gangs Mexican cartels use groups of enforces called “sicarios”. Other groups are known as the Zetas and Negros. The Zetas act as assassins for the Gulf Cartel. Cartels do not tend to work closely with members of US gangs as US gangs lack the discipline of the cartels

US Counternarcotics Policy Focuses on interdiction and eradication of drug shipments, through border security screening efforts $27.8 million in counternarcotics assistance to Mexico 2007 President’s National Drug Control Strategy focuses on prevention of drug use, treatment, and disruption of the illicit drug market

Mexico’s criticism of US policy America needs to reduce the demand for illicit drugs America needs to reduce arms trafficking into Mexico American needs to stop the trafficking of drug money into Mexico

Source: CRS Report for Congress, October 16, 2007 by Colleen W. Cook – Analyst in Latin American Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division