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
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