1. Mexico’s Drug Cartels

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Additional Criminal Activities: ► Human trafficking ► Auto Theft ► Kidnapping

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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