To access the entire report use this link
Executive Summary Excerpts
Fentanyl and Other Synthetic
Opioids: Fentanyl and other highly potent synthetic opioids— primarily sourced
from China and Mexico—continue to be the most lethal category of illicit
substances misused in the United States. Fentanyl continues to be sold as
counterfeit prescriptions pills as traffickers—wittingly or unwittingly—are
increasingly selling fentanyl to users both alone and as an adulterant, leading
to rising fentanyl-involved deaths. Fentanyl suppliers will continue to
experiment with other new synthetic opioids in an attempt to circumvent new regulations
imposed by the
United States and China. [p. 5]
Heroin: Heroin-related overdose
deaths remain at high levels in the United States, due to continued use and
availability, while fentanyl is increasingly prevalent in highly pro table
white powder heroin markets. Mexico remains the primary source of heroin
available in the United States according to all available sources of
intelligence, including law enforcement investigations and scientific data.
Further, high-levels of sustained opium poppy cultivation and heroin production
in Mexico allow Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) to continue
to supply high-purity, low-cost heroin. [p. 5]
Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine
remains widely available, with traffickers attempting to create new customers
by expanding into new, non-traditional methamphetamine markets such as the
Northeast, or other user bases with new product forms. Most of the
methamphetamine available in the United States is produced in Mexico and
smuggled across the Southwest Border (SWB). Domestic production occurs at much
lower levels than in Mexico and seizures of domestic methamphetamine
laboratories have declined steadily for many years while overall supply has
increased. [p. 5]
Mexican TCOs: Mexican TCOs remain
the greatest criminal drug threat to the United States; no other groups are
currently positioned to challenge them. The Sinaloa Cartel maintains the most
expansive footprint in the United States, while the Jalisco New Generation
Cartel (Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación or CJNG) has become the second-most
dominant domestic presence over the past few years. Although drug-related
murders in Mexico continue to reach epidemic proportions, U.S.-based Mexican
TCO members still generally refrain from domestic inter-cartel conflicts,
resulting in minimal spillover violence in the United States. [p. 6]
Gangs: National and
neighborhood-based street gangs and prison gangs remain the dominant
distributors of illicit drugs through street-sales in their respective
territories throughout the country. Struggle for control of lucrative drug
trafficking territories continues to fuel the majority of the street- gang
violence facing local communities. Meanwhile, some street gangs are working
with rival gangs to increase both gangs’ drug revenues, while individual
members of assorted street gangs have pro ted by forming relationships with
friends and family associated with Mexican cartels. [p. 6]
Mexican Transnational Criminal
Organizations
Overview
Mexican TCOs continue to control lucrative
smuggling corridors, primarily across the SWB, and maintain the greatest drug
trafficking influence in the United States, with continued signs of growth.
They continue to expand their criminal influence by engaging in business
alliances with other TCOs, including independent TCOs, and work in conjunction
with transnational gangs, U.S.-based street gangs, prison gangs, and Asian
money laundering organizations (MLOs). Mexican TCOs export significant
quantities of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl into
the United States annually. The drugs are delivered to user markets in the
United States through transportation routes and distribution cells that are
managed or influenced by Mexican TCOs, and with the cooperation and participation
of local street gangs. [p. 99]
Most Significant Mexican TCOs
Currently Active in the United States
Although offshoots from previously
established TCOs continue to emerge, the DEA assesses the following six Mexican
TCOs as having the greatest drug trafficking impact on the United States:
Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, Beltran-Leyva Organization, Juarez Cartel, Gulf Cartel,
and Los Zetas Cartel. These TCOs maintain drug distribution cells in designated
cities across the United States that either report directly to TCO leaders in
Mexico or indirectly through intermediaries. The following is a background on
each of the six major Mexican TCOs, with examples of their drug trafficking
impact on distinct U.S. cities: [p. 99]
Sinaloa Cartel – The Sinaloa Cartel
(aka the Pacific Cartel), based in the Mexican State of Sinaloa, is one of the
oldest and more established DTOs in Mexico. The Sinaloa Cartel controls drug
trafficking activity in various regions in Mexico, particularly along the
Pacific Coast. Additionally, it maintains the most expansive international
footprint compared to other Mexican TCOs. The Sinaloa Cartel exports and
distributes wholesale amounts of methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin,
and fentanyl in the United States by maintaining distribution hubs in cities
that include Phoenix, Los Angeles, Denver, Atlanta, and Chicago. Illicit drugs
distributed by the Sinaloa Cartel are primarily smuggled into the United States
through crossing points located along Mexico’s border with California, Arizona,
New Mexico, and West Texas. [p. 99]
Jalisco New Generation Cartel
(CJNG) – CJNG, based in the city of Guadalajara in the Mexican State of
Jalisco, is the most recently formed of the six TCOs. With drug distribution
hubs in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta, it is one of the most
powerful and fastest growing cartels in Mexico and the United States. CJNG
smuggles illicit drugs into the United States by accessing various trafficking
corridors along the SWB including Tijuana, Juarez, and Nuevo Laredo. CJNG’s
rapid expansion of its drug trafficking activities is characterized by the
willingness to engage in violent confrontations with Mexican Government
security forces and rival cartels. Like most major Mexican TCOs, CJNG is a
poly-drug trafficking group, manufacturing and/or distributing large amounts of
methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. CJNG reportedly has presence in
at least 24 of 32 Mexican states. [pp. 99-100]
Beltran-Leyva Organization (BLO) –
The BLO asserted its independence after the Beltran-Leyva brothers and their
associates split from the Sinaloa Cartel in 2008. While all the Beltran-Leyva
brothers have now been killed or incarcerated, splinter groups and remnants of
their organization continue to operate in various parts of Mexico, including
the States of Guerrero, Morelos, Nayarit, and Sinaloa. The splinter groups,
though still generally regarded as being under the BLO umbrella, are asserting
greater independence and influence. The two most prominent of these splinter
groups, Los Rojos and Los Guerreros Unidos, operate independently due in part
to their role in the heroin trade. BLO splinter groups rely on their loose
alliances with CJNG, the Juarez Cartel, and Los Zetas for access to drug
smuggling corridors along the SWB. BLO members primarily traffic marijuana,
cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, and maintain distribution centers in
Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Chicago. [p. 100]
Juarez Cartel – The Juarez Cartel
is one of the older Mexican TCOs. The Mexican State of Chihuahua, south of West
Texas and New Mexico, represents the traditional AOR of the Juarez Cartel. The
Juarez Cartel endured a multi-year turf war with the Sinaloa Cartel, which
resulted in many drug-related murders in Chihuahua at its height in mid-2010.
Though not as expansive as the rival Sinaloa Cartel, the Juarez Cartel
continues to influence U.S. drug consumer markets, primarily in El Paso,
Denver, Chicago, and Oklahoma City. The Juarez Cartel mainly traffics marijuana
and cocaine and has recently expanded into heroin and methamphetamine
distribution. Recent law enforcement reporting indicates opium poppy
cultivation overseen by the Juarez Cartel has increased significantly in the
State of Chihuahua since 2013, outpacing marijuana cultivation in some regions.
[p. 100]
Gulf Cartel – The Gulf Cartel has
been in operation for decades. With a traditional power base in the Mexican
State of Tamaulipas, the Gulf Cartel traffics primarily marijuana and cocaine
but has expanded to include heroin and methamphetamine. The Gulf Cartel has
fought for dominance in areas of Northeast Mexico against Los Zetas since the
Gulf-Zetas split in 2010. Due to its influence over areas in northeast Mexico,
the Gulf Cartel smuggles a majority of its drug shipments into South Texas
through the border region between the Rio Grande Valley and South Padre Island.
The Gulf Cartel maintains a presence and holds key distribution hubs in Houston
and Detroit. [p. 100]
Los Zetas Cartel – Los Zetas formed
as an independent cartel in early 2010 when it officially splintered from the
Gulf Cartel. At the time of the rupture, Los Zetas controlled drug trafficking
in large parts of eastern, central, and southern Mexico. However, due to
pressure from rival cartels, Mexican law enforcement, and internal conflicts,
the influence of Los Zetas has lessened significantly in recent years. Los
Zetas are currently divided into two rival factions: the Northeast Cartel
(Cartel del Noreste or CDN), a rebranded form of mainstream Zetas, and a
breakaway group, the Old School Zetas (Escuela Vieja or EV). Members of Los
Zetas smuggle the majority of their illicit drugs through the border area
between Del Rio and Falcon Lake, Texas, with a base of power in Nuevo Laredo,
Mexico. Los Zetas’ members currently traffic methamphetamine, marijuana,
cocaine, and heroin through key distribution hubs in Laredo, Dallas, and New
Orleans. [pp. 100-101]
Structure and Characteristics
Mexican nationals or U.S. citizens
of Mexican origin mainly oversee Mexican TCO activity in the United States.
U.S.-based TCO members of Mexican nationality enter the United States legally
and illegally and often seek to conceal themselves within densely populated
Mexican- American communities. Mexican TCO members operating in the United
States can be traced back to leading cartel figures in Mexico, often through
familial ties. U.S.-based TCO members may reside in the United States prior to
employment by a Mexican TCO. In some cases, U.S.-based TCO members are given
high-ranking positions within the organization upon returning to Mexico after
years of successful activity in the United States. [p. 101]
Consistent with previous years, the
Sinaloa Cartel maintains the widest national influence, with its most dominant
positions along the West Coast, in the Midwest, and in the Northeast. CJNG
continues to be the Mexican TCO with second-most widespread national influence.
BLO activities remain more dispersed throughout the United States, with heavier
concentrations in areas with large heroin markets. [p. 101]
Selected Field Division Highlights
The San Diego, Atlanta, and Los
Angeles FDs report the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG are the most dominant Mexican
TCOs affecting their AORs. San Diego FD reports that both Sinaloa Cartel and
CJNG control the Tijuana/San Diego trafficking corridor. The Phoenix FD has not
witnessed CJNG in their AOR and reports that the Sinaloa Cartel remains the
dominant TCO affecting Arizona. [p. 101]
The Miami FD reports an increase in
Mexican TCOs transporting and distributing large quantities of cocaine,
methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl into Florida from Mexico in recent years.
The Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, and BLO are the most significant Mexican TCOs in the
Miami FD AOR. [p. 101]
The New England FD reports Mexican
TCOs, primarily the Sinaloa Cartel, serve as the main sources of supplies for
the Dominican TCOs that dominate distribution of wholesale supplies of heroin,
fentanyl, and cocaine. Dominican TCOs act as intermediaries between Mexican
TCOs and the local criminal groups and gangs responsible for street-level. [p.
101]
Operational Structure in the United
States
U.S.-based Mexican TCOs are
composed of various compartmentalized cells assigned specific functions such as
drug distribution or transportation, consolidation of drug proceeds, or money
laundering. Mexican TCO operations in the United States typically function as a
supply chain: Operators in the chain are aware of their specific function, but
are unaware of other aspects of an operation. In most cases, individuals hired
to transport drug shipments within the United States are independent, third-
party “contractors” who may work for multiple Mexican TCOs. The number of
transportation groups is increasing in some areas, and they often transport
smaller shipments. Sinaloa and Nayarit are responsible for most of the black
tar and brown powder heroin distributed in Colorado and Utah. [p. 102]
Relationship with Local Criminal
Groups and Street Gangs
U.S.-based Mexican TCO members
generally coordinate the transportation and distribution of bulk wholesale
quantities of illicit drugs to U.S. markets while smaller local groups and
street gangs, who are not directly affiliated with Mexican TCOs, typically handle
retail-level distribution. At times, Mexican TCOs collaborate directly with
local criminal groups and gangs across the United States to distribute and
transport drugs at the retail level. [p. 102]
Drug Smuggling and Transportation
Methods
Mexican TCOs transport the majority
of illicit drugs into the United States across the SWB using a wide array of
smuggling techniques. The most common method employed involves smuggling
illicit drugs through U.S. POEs in passenger vehicles with concealed compartments
or commingled with legitimate goods on tractor-trailers. [p. 102]
Other cross-border smuggling
techniques employed by Mexican TCOs include the use of subterranean tunnels,
which originate in Mexico and lead into safe houses on the U.S. side of the border.
Underground tunnels are mainly used to smuggle ton quantities of marijuana,
though other illicit drugs have been commingled in shipments. Tunnels destroyed
by U.S. law enforcement authorities along the SWB are primarily found in
California and Arizona, and are generally associated with the Sinaloa Cartel.
[p. 102]
Mexican TCOs also transport illicit
drugs to the United States aboard commercial cargo trains and passenger buses.
To a lesser extent, Mexican TCOs use maritime vessels clandestinely or through
of official maritime POEs, typically off the coast of California. Mexican TCOs
also rely on traditional drug smuggling methods, such as the use of
backpackers, or “mules,” crossing remote areas of the SWB into the United
States. Mexican TCOs exploit various aerial methods to transport illicit drugs
across the SWB. [p. 102]
These methods include the use of
ultralight aircraft, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and drones to conduct
airdrops. Ultralight aircrafts predominantly transport marijuana shipments,
depositing the drugs in close proximity to the SWB. Currently, as UAS can only
carry only small multi-kilogram amounts of illicit drugs, they are not commonly
used, although there is potential for increased growth and use, particularly if
their carrying capacity is increased. Mexican TCOs also use UAS to monitor the
activity of U.S. law enforcement along the SWB to identify cross- border
vulnerabilities. [p. 102]
Spillover Violence
Drug-related murders in Mexico
continue to reach epidemic proportions. However, there is little spillover
violence in the United States as U.S.-based Mexican TCO members generally
refrain from inter-cartel violence to avoid law enforcement detection and
scrutiny. Mexican TCO-related acts of violence do occur in parts of the United
States, particularly along the SWB; however, they are less frequent and mainly
associated with ‘trafficker-on-trafficker’ incidents. [p. 103]
Money Laundering Activity
Mexican TCOs generate billions of
dollars annually through the sale of illegal drugs in the United States. They
utilize a variety of methodologies to counter law enforcement efforts to
identify and confiscate their illicit proceeds in the United States and Mexico.
In the United States, Mexican TCOs exploit bulk cash smuggling, the placement
of proceeds into the U.S. banking system and electronic transfer to Mexico, the
BMPE via networks of money brokers, and the use of Money Service Businesses
(MSBs) to transfer the proceeds to Mexico. Inside Mexico, the Mexican TCOs
place illicit proceeds into the financial system through foreign exchange
businesses, the purchase of assets with cash, and use of front and shell
companies to receive electronic transfers in order to conceal the true
beneficial ownership of the illicit proceeds. There has also been evidence of
the utilization of cryptocurrencies by Mexican TCOs as a means by which to
transfer their wealth internationally. [p. 103]
An alarming trend is the increasing
presence of Asian MLOs engaged in the laundering of drug proceeds on behalf of
the Mexican TCOs. This trend is a result of the imposition of a cap by the
Government of China on foreign exchange transactions ($50,000/year) and
overseas withdrawals on Chinese bank issued credit and debit cards
($15,000/year). The demand of Chinese nationals to transfer their wealth
outside of China and into the United States has fueled the demand for U.S.
dollars. Asian MLOs are eager to acquire U.S. dollars (drug proceeds) from the
Mexican TCOs in exchange for the payment of pesos in Mexico or their equivalent
debts in China via a Chinese Underground Banking System (CUBS) scheme. Asian
MLOs resell the U.S. dollars to customers (Chinese nationals within the United
States) for a profit, normally in exchange for Renminbi (RMB) payments in
China. This demand for foreign exchange, i.e. the U.S. dollar in particular,
has provided an outlet for Mexican TCO drug proceeds that is changing the
landscape of money laundering within the United States. [p. 103]
Colombian Transnational Criminal
Organizations
Collaboration with Mexican
TCOs
While Colombian TCOs control the
production and shipment of the majority of cocaine destined for consumption in
the United States, Mexican TCOs are responsible for its exportation into and
distribution throughout the United States. Mexican TCOs work directly with
Colombian sources of supply, often sending Mexican representatives to Colombia,
Ecuador, and Venezuela to coordinate cocaine shipments. [p. 104]
Similarly, Colombian TCOs maintain
delegates in Mexico to serve as brokers for cocaine orders or illicit money
movements. Central American TCOs work with both Mexican and Colombian TCOs for
the northbound movement of cocaine and the southbound flow of illicit drug
proceeds. [p. 105]
Theres people who post on BB that have more knowledge on narco news then these so called experts and government agents.
ReplyDeleteThose so called experts and government agents many, many times have only assumptions according to the area where they work, live. They might have PhD's, special training, but lots of them lack the studying, knowledge of the different places where all those other real illicit situations are happening.
Delete4:18 ain't that true?
DeleteThe UNITED NATIONS itself has reported Afghanistan as being the biggest opium producer in the world since the Taliban were kicked out of power by the US after 9/11 and the US military has protected their poppy fields from "the Taliban", increasing their production by 9000% or more was no easy task, after the Taliban declared their no excuses war for results in their war on drugs, without fleecing the US taxpayer as in the mexican wing that produced nothing more than excuses and more crime in Mexico and on the US, and top government mafiosos included in the complicit narco operations...of course, this kind of report would require some international integrity that require no declaration of war on drugs to give yourself purity baths...
No mexican drug trafficking organizations has ever been fined billions of dollars for their laundering of drug trafficking profits...american and international banks have been fined, many times, there are reports...drug trafficking financed the takeover and offshoring of US enterprises and american jobs by the whole trade since US and china restored diplomacy in the times of Nixxon, after US War Profiteering chicken hawks squished all they could from the Vietnam War...
Soon (before that) they had LatinAmerica producing Cocaine under pretense of Operation Condor to flood the US with cocaine and mariguana along with more food stamps and welfare checks for the wretched "to help finance the contras" for the US neocons...and that ain't nothing but the motherfacking truth, so help me GOD...
Or at least people that think they do.
DeleteHi borderlandbeat and community, this was posted earlier, main questions are: is it 1,000 USD OR PESOS? What is the cartel de Northeast ? Zetas? Golfo? Does anyone know the "claves" they give you after you "pay" or are cleared? Does it change? I know mexico is fkd but it seems like its better for one cartel to dominate all since the president wont do a thing. Sad times for mexico, such beutiful geography man.
ReplyDeleteThose mexican DTO's, TCO's, are no joke they are a real threat to the national security of the united states of america. Nobody wants those criminals corrupting the law, government officials, in american towns, cities, like they do back in their lawless country.
ReplyDeleteWell dude I got news for you there is plenty of corruption here as well. Why else do you think that the drugs traversing are not being stopped by our cops? Or are they more stupid, less trained and worse equipped than the cops in Mex???
DeleteLike it doesn’t happen here in the US
DeleteIt's already happening, especially here in California.
Delete@12:28 you are right they have active militarymilitary ex and police on the payroll doing there dirty work
Delete12:28 That's what I'm trying to say north americans don't want drug cartel members with links to local gangs infiltrating, dictating the local laws, government, because then they become untouchable. Can you imagine local us gangs growing into drug cartels then they start doing what their crime bosses do back in mx in USA's territory? Like butchering cops, civilians because they don't comply with them?
DeleteAren't the cops in Chicago scared of the gangs?
DeleteWow Great information Thank You
ReplyDeleteOne Question please
Where does the American Indian Reservations come in on this ??
I know Calif and Az has alot of Mexicans Drug Cartels doing bussiness with them What group is with them ? Or does anyone know
I see the tatttos on certain groups but dont really understand much
Would you say its a big problem or not?
You guys here know more
All I do is see the aftermath of drug abuse
Can you put any light on the Relationships
Thank you
Reservations have always been a concern and known to have granted some travel by cartels.
DeleteOne only need look at the US map and see there are reservations vulnerable that are smack on the south border directly adjacent to mexico
Chivis, another excellent post, very good info.
ReplyDelete6:14 that is a good question. In fact, the same point I was going to make. I’m not so sure about reservations along U.S. Mex border, but kahnawake is a reserve encompassing an area combined with land on both sides of the St. Lawerence river which serves as th Canadian U.S. border in some spots. The volume of everything from contraband tobacco to cocaine and guns that cross the border here are mind boggling. It is perhaps THE most exploited land mass for smuggling into Canada, along with heavily forested mountainous regions Between BC and North Dakota/Washington where low flying helicopters deliver BC chronic, ecstasy and bring the cartel coke back at a massive profit for all involved. Usually the coke is sourced in LA from cartel contacts.
https://vancouversun.com/news/crime/b-c-men-among-13-charged-in-massive-cross-border-drug-ring
Frank
Interesting about the north border. I began researching reservations some 5 years ago. It became too much and info scarce so I dropped it. I did look at the North border and intended to dig around.
DeleteMy stance is that both borders should be addressed in the same manner and restrictions. That said although Canada/U.S. border is immense and looks inviting for narcos to transport it really isn't because it is mostly impassable on land. But maybe I am wrong. Can you set me straight Frank?
I value your opinion. You are one of the "smart" guys and I appreciate you and Mx's presence in our BB family.
Paz
Chivis
sorry i took so long in reply---I have been sickly for a few days and running half speed
DeleteCan you shed some light on why La Familia Michoacana or splinter groups were omitted from this report?...just didnt make the cut?lol
ReplyDeleteThis just in - https://merryjane.com/news/austins-police-chief-says-pot-arrests-will-continue-despite-decriminalization
ReplyDeleteThanks You do great work
ReplyDeleteFor more about the War on Drugs, https://fivebooks.com/best-books/johann-hari-war-on-drugs/
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite writers is Charles Bowden (RIP) who has written several books about the US - Mexico border and the drug war. One of his best quotes is "The war on drugs is over. The drugs won."
Navy seals or American army can't defeat the Mexican drug cartels. Mexican drug cartels are too brutal and brave. Only if no drone or air strikes involve. I'll put my money on the cartels to destroy any American army.
ReplyDeleteI think the same thing unless the US uses a air strike they will have them self’s a tough time I think the cartels and Mexican army should protect there country from the US army
DeleteQue segun agarraron al Comandante Takia del CDN
ReplyDeleteChivis, Mexico News Daily reports El Marro wife let go due to no search warrant.
ReplyDeleteChivis
ReplyDeleteEl Lic is getting a deal
https://zetatijuana.com/2020/02/gobierno-de-eu-pide-a-el-licenciado-que-declare-en-juicio-contra-genaro-garcia-luna/?fbclid=IwAR1h-NWaH1C9ugIEz4tRqliILIqvdS1kPFBPVc2n8r8XBKm5JOznTZBVQWI
12:14 corruption like shit, rolls down hill, from the US.
ReplyDeleteWow! Does this report actually suggests they thought Sinaloa was going to crumble because of the arrest of Chapo of just one individual leader?
ReplyDeleteI,ean the Trevinos from Los Zetas as well as the Arrellano Felix from Tijuana and the top three leaders from the Juarez cartel all got caught and some of these cartels mentioned atill survived. Sinaloa shocks everyone because only leadership whis is Chapo was caught?
How stupid are the authorities or contributors to this report?