This paper attempts to examine the characteristics of the Sinaloa Cartel, which is revered as one of the most well established criminal organizations in Latin America having been quoted by Columbian newspaper El Tiempo, as controlling 35% of the cocaine exported from Columbia. Columbia itself is regarded as the largest producer of cocaine in the world. They have long been known to exploit transnational commerce and communications to protect and guide their illicit, profit driven activities. The organization’s characteristics, methods of operation, organizational structure, activities, and threats to the region and country of its various operations will all be explored extensively in addition to the impact of local and foreign law enforcement …show more content…
in reducing the organization’s capacity. Sinaloa is a state located in the South American country of Mexico. This state has long been known as a hub for illegal contraband, especially marijuana and poppy. Sinaloa is known to cultivate both Marijuana and Poppy. Marijuana was first trafficked in bulk by local farmer families who were led by Pedro Aviles during 1960 and 1970. Aviles later brought in Joaquin “El Chapo” Loera into the business. After the violent death of Aviles in 1978, the families shifted their operations to Central American and Columbian traffickers in Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco. El Chapo remained in Sinaloa and continued expanding his operations there. Following his arrest in 1993, El Chapo handed over control of the Sinaloa Cartel to his brother Arturo Loera, Ramon Laija Serrano, Hector, Alfredo, and Arturo Beltran Leyva. El Chapo escaped prison in 2001 and assumed central leadership of the organization before being captured again in 2014 and extradited to the United States for prosecution. Sinaloa did not have a hierarchical structure, but was instead run by El Chapo, Ismael Zambada Garcia “El Mayo” and Juan Jose Esparragoza Moreno “El Azul”. Most of the members of this cartel were often related by blood or by marriage, but was more regarded as a federation than a close knit organization The Sinaloa Cartel’s main criminal activities were drug trafficking and money laundering but they were also known to perform kidnappings, drug transits, domestic drug sales, and human trafficking.
Their operations were established in 17 Mexican States and as many as 50 countries throughout North, Central, and South America, Australia Europe, Southeast Asia and West Africa. Sinaloa would establish shipping routes across borders using hundreds of elaborate smuggling tunnels whereby the target goods would be transported to various destinations to allies for distribution. Their ingenious methods of smuggling would often astound law enforcement as they were always improving constantly. Cocaine was found in frozen sharks, sprinkled on donuts, and crammed in cucumbers. The cartel’s operations were often outsourced to local partners in foreign countries who were given significant autonomy over their operations which allowed them the ability to retain profit. Drug shipments are coordinated by an unidentified businessman who works with another criminal organization known as Los Urabenos which comprises right wing paramilitaries. They would label the shipments as “Lacoste”, “Apple” and “Made in Columbia.” Most of Sinaloa’s work was done by cells across different countries which operated independently of each other and communicated only with El …show more content…
Mayo. The operations of the Sinaloa are constantly adapting to a more corporate structure which propels them to better leverage their existing resources and alliances while at the same time expanding the financial and geographic scope of their enterprise.
The cartel’s power came mainly as a result of its ability to establish strong connections to the political and economic elite in Mexico. They also successfully penetrated government and security forces where it operated. They were known to opting to bribe their targets rather than use force and formed alliances rather than creating enemies, but they used force whenever they wanted to take control of an area from a rival cartel. The cartel bolsters its ranks with mainly young poor individuals. Most of their target countries are overrun by poverty and as a result, manpower is abundant in supply. Sinaloa’s most powerful ally was the National Action Party (PAN) which was responsible for its growth over the last decade. With the aid of PAN, a number of El Chapo’s rivals were captured by local law enforcement which helped to eliminate major competition and propel the organization forward. Sinaloa had also established an alliance with the left wing guerillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC). In 2012 FARC agreed to suspend drug trafficking as part of the peace talks. Sinaloa then moved in and began franchising drug operations from FARC rebels allowing the cartel to extend its reach into the production stages
of the cocaine trade. In addition to its reported involvement in the heroin trade in the Middle East, Sinaloa was found to be active in Europe and mainly in the US where the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reported in 2013 that they supply 80% of the heroin, cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine with an estimated street value of approximately 3 billion which floods the Chicago region each year. According to El Tiempo, the FARC, Los Usuga and La Empresa are key organizations that control Pacific ports from Mexico to Peru. Sinaloa has made alliances with all of these criminal organizations to control the eight strategic ports. Drugs are shipped by fast boat from Columbia to Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. Most of the cocaine coming out of Columbia are handled from this port. Because of the violent nature of Sinaloa’s business initiatives, a high number of deaths have been recorded over time. CNN reported more than 60, 000 deaths occurred from 2006 to 2012 as a result of cartel violence. In an effort to establish themselves, Sinaloa has undertaken violent measures. With the large profits being made from the drug smuggling industry the cartel was able to provide a large arsenal of sophisticated weapons to protect its various investments. Most persons that has been carrying out the cartel’s work have been successful at their respective tasks. Corruption at the state level has ensured that heinous criminal acts of the Sinaloa Cartel went unpunished by local law enforcement. The cartel’s violence has wreaked havoc on most societies in Latin America as the myriad number of drugs being produced brought about further poverty and crime. Local markets were being stymied by the lack of proper funding and labour as the cartel controls a large amount of profit. The drug shipping industry has been seen to operate as a shadow market aside legitimate goods resulting in much needed economic activity being impeded. Aside from this, corruption has ensured that much needed funding for social programs have been slow in coming resulting in a lack of proper living conditions and infrastructure. The cartel’s continued practices of extortion and corruption have stunted Mexican economic growth by draining revenue from multinational corporations and businesses alike. The violence from the cartel’s operations has not only constrained economic activity but has also created a negative international image by dissuading foreign investors. The Los Angeles times reported that in 2011, 60% of all Mexican businesses have been severely impacted by the climate of lawlessness established by cartel violence, which resulted in a 1.2% decrease in GDP. Despite all the chaos and violence seen as a result of Sinaloa’s operations, with the aid of foreign law enforcement in terms of training, resources and intelligence, Mexican law enforcement are beginning to make inroads in curbing the lawlessness brought about by the Sinaloa Cartel. In the six months prior to El Chapo’s escape, the Mexican army captured nearly 2, 800 kilos of cocaine which was seen as a 340% increase over the same period in 2014. With the inauguration of Mexican President Felipe Calderon, new and improved measures to combat Mexican drug trafficking began to be implemented. Substantial investments were made into making systematic improvements in the justice continuum and social programming. Various institutions were rebuilt along with federal level security forces in an attempt to increase transparency and efficiency. Social programs were implemented in an attempt to curb and prevent Mexican youth drug use, addiction, and membership to criminal gangs. On October 22nd, 2007, President Calderon met with US President George W. Bush to form a bilateral security partnership which was referred to as the Merida Initiative. Initially the US supplied equipment and technology which was greatly needed in the fight against organized crime in Mexico. The Merida initiative was expected to last till the end of Fiscal 2010, but with the inauguration of President Barrack Obama, the initiative continued and was redubbed, “Beyond Merida.” This new initiative operated under 4 particular strategies: 1) disrupt the operational capacity of organized criminal groups; 2) institutionalize the rule of law in Mexico; 3) create a 21st century border; and 4) build strong and resilient communities. All of these measures seemed to have failed as corruption amongst law enforcement continued and with the removal of existing drug trafficking leadership, violent succession struggles ensued. Despite the setbacks experienced in the fight against the Sinaloa Cartel and the drug trafficking industry on the whole, the Mexican government still pushes on. They have shifted focus on trying to reduce the drug market from its source. Using support from the Merida initiative, the Mexican government has begun establishing drug rehab centers with an aim of rehabilitating drug users, raising awareness about drug use, and rendering treatment to those in need. 600 hundred Counselors were trained to facilitate this initiative. Rigid screening measures for law enforcement have been arranged to help stem corruption. Still small achievements are being made as there has been a decline in crime related homicides in 2012. In conclusion, the vast empire built by the Sinaloa Cartel has proven to be a formidable opponent for the Mexican authorities for more than a decade. Their ability to infiltrate the ranks of Mexican law enforcement agencies, and coerce government officials to do their bidding makes them akin to all other crime organizations. Their global influence and reach into foreign countries has helped them to perpetuate a cycle of dependence, violence and death which the greatest of governments continue to struggle with. The cartel’s ability to function without its leader, El Chapo makes it a very versatile organization and its organizational structure makes it so unique that surgical operations aimed at any one cell of the cartel does not affect another which clearly mimics the head of the fabled hydra of Greek mythology. Based on failed past attempts at restricting the cartel’s operations, the present Mexican government are exploring new innovative ways of stemming the drug trafficking industry by reducing the demand for drug commodities. In time, this and other measures will prove its effectiveness in impacting on Sinaloa’s operations.
Recent arrests and the diminished opportunity to forward cocaine to U.S had left them with the necessity to embark in kidnappings, auto thefts, extortion, murders for hire, human smuggling, and other felonies not to mention that local demand for narcotics had increased recently. The Tijuana Cartel operations extents from the U.S Mexico border across Central America through the Pacific Route and receives support of one of most violent criminal organizations: Los
The Los Zetas cartel consists of some of the most deadly men in Mexico. Comprised and founded by rogue Mexican Special Ops soldiers they branched off from their former employers (The Gulf cartel) and are now fighting for their territory. Based in Matamoros the Gulf Cartel was the original heavy hitter of Mexico's cartels. Currently the Gulf Cartel is in an ongoing war with the Los Zetas. Lead by El Chapo the Sinaloa Cartel is the current leader of the drug trade in all of Mexico. The cartels are fighting the Mexican government for power over the country. Federal agents target cartels and are able to weaken them but just before the agents can take over a rival cartel comes in and takes the territory starting the whole process over again. The cartels act like a Hydra Kill one Head and two will take its
In the Ted talk called, The Deadly Genius of Drug Cartels, with the speaker Rodrigo Canales, he talks about the following; the violence of the drug cartels, the financial businesses of the drug cartels, and how they're successful with the U.S is involved. First, in the Ted Talk, Rodrigo Canales speaks about the violence of Mexico from the past six years which is caused by the drug dealers. The violence is caused by the drug dealers because it's key to them to have good brand management and having a strong group organization, therefore causing them to be violent. Also, the amount of violence in Mexico was caused by the drug dealers causing 100,000 innocent casualties, which is more deaths than the Iraq war. Next, in this Ted Talk, the speaker Rodrigo Canales explains the financial businesses of the drug cartels and how they're successful and how the U.S is involved with the drug cartels to make the cartels financially stable.
The arrest of Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman was a victorious circumstance for the Mexican government, who have been closing down on his presence for the recent past years. Mexican authorities began taking down high ranked members of the Sinaloa Cartel including two of Guzman’s main associates. On February 22, 2014, the world’s most wanted man had also been captured. Although the biggest drug lord has been captured, the crime and violence left behind cannot be forgotten.
II. Main Point 1: The Sinaloa Drug Cartel was created when a previous powerful drug cartel failed due to the arrest of its leader
The Mexican drug cartels not only smuggle drugs to the U.S., but also distribute their narcotic drugs. They also finance terrorist organizations, assassinate their rivals, families, and anyone that comes in their way. They are a violent and cruel criminal organization. The Mexican drug cartels are not the ones anyone would want to meet.
The cartels are now in control of most of the drug trades and are successful. The Mexican border gives them the power to go everywhere they desire, making them a relentless force. “To date operation Xcellrator has led the arrest of 755 individuals and the seizure of approximately 5 U.S. Currency more than 12,000 kilograms of cocaine, more than 16,000 pounds of marijuana, more than 11,000 of methamphetamine, more than 8 kilograms of heroin, approximately 1.3 million pills of ecstasy”(Doj 2). Mexican cartels extend to central and southern America. Columbia is the supply of much of the cocaine exported to the U.S. Colombia is under control of South American gangs, they do business with the Mexican cartels to transport drugs the north. The Northern Mexican gangs hold the most control because the territory is very important (Wagner1). They are many different types of cartel in Mexico it also signifies that there are killing each other so their cartel can expand an...
The war over drug routes and power between rival cartels has left Mexico in a bloody war. The violence occurring throughout the country only seems to escalate. In part, the United States has a role in this war because of the exploitation of weapons. Unfortunately, a lot of people are being killed every day because of the drug war. Action from Mexico must be taken swiftly to avoid any further casualties by collaborating with the United States on how to stop the smuggling of guns, building trust between the community and the police, and deciding on a plan to the help the economy for their citizens.
Over the last several decades, violence has consumed and transformed Mexico. Since the rise of dozens of Mexican cartels, the Mexican government has constantly been fighting an ongoing war with these criminal organizations. The cartel organizations have a primary purpose of managing and controlling illegal drug trafficking operations in Central America and South America to the United States. Violence on a massive and brutal scale has emerged due to the nature of the illegal drug trade. Because the drug trade is vastly widespread, cartels are often fighting one another and competing in business. Mexican authorities count at least 12 major cartels, but also talk of an untold numbers of smaller splinter groups. (Taipei Times). Five cartels from Mexico have risen to become the extremely powerful amongst all the drug organizations operating in Mexico. The Guadalajara Cartel, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Tijuana Cartel, the Juarez Cartel, and the Gulf Cartel. These organizations, along with other distinguished Mexican cartels, have plagued Mexico with violence, terror, and fear due to the essence and nature of illegal drug trafficking.
Beith, Malcolm. “The Current State of Mexico’s Many Drug Cartels.” Insight Crimes. n.p., 25 Sep.
middle of paper ... ... Works Cited Bates, Theunis. “The Sinaloa Cartel is now the world's biggest supplier of illegal narcotics. How did it become so powerful?.”
They are adapting by looking into new ways to make money such as extortion, kidnapping, arms trafficking, murder for hire, and human trafficking. Many critics say these actions look a lot like diversifying their moneymaking interests. " For the commercial insurgency, border controls are perfunctory in "free trade" areas, and there is still a great demand for goods that are linked to smuggling" (PRISM Issue No 3). President Calderon's term in office has seen numerous arrests and significant cooperation with U.S. law enforcement, and intelligence activities, which has negated the freedom of movement the cartels once enjoyed.
U.S. forces should target key leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel to gain information on the logistics of the cartel as well as the financial information. If the U.S. forces can gain enough information to seize large amounts of mone-tary assets, as well as take out key leaders, and control routes used for narcotics smuggling to the U.S., it would be detrimental to the cartel. In order to effectively dismantled the cartel, U.S. forces need to focus on gaining informa-tion on the financial
Drug trafficking has been a massive concern between the borders of Mexico and the U.S. “since mid 1970s” (Wyler, 1). Drug trafficking is “knowingly being in possession, manufacturing, selling, purchasing, or delivering an illegal, controlled substance” (LaMance, 1). A dynamic relationship exists amongst Columbia, Mexico, and the U.S. the informal drug trafficking economy. This growing informal drug economy leads to many individuals creating a substantial living through this undercover market. These individual drug cartels monopolizing the trafficking market are a growing problem for the U.S economy and need to be located and controlled. If this trafficking continues, the U.S. informal economy will crush the growth of legal industries. The trafficking and abuse of drugs in the U.S. affects nearly all aspects of consumer life. Drug trafficking remains a growing issue and concern to the U.S. government. The U.S. border control must find a way to work with Mexico to overpower the individuals who contribute to the drug trafficking business. This market must be seized and these individuals must be stopped.
Many people know of cartels and drug trafficking, however, they do not realize how serious of a problem it is becoming. Every day there are hundreds of drugs transported into the United States from Latin America, mostly coming from Mexico and Columbia. These cartels are becoming smarter and more creative with their ways of smuggling drugs. They have become ruthless and will do whatever it takes to get their supplies into the country. To better understand how cartels work, you must understand their ways of transporting drugs and how creative they have become with it. Cartels will go as far as using tunnels, boats, planes, vehicles, donkeys and mules to transport all of their drugs.