Background on the Cartel Sinaloa and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán
The Cartel Sinaloa, led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, is a notorious Mexican drug trafficking organization. Guzmán, who was extradited to the United States in 2017, was known for his extensive criminal network and influence. His cartel’s operations have had significant global impacts, including the infiltration of law enforcement efforts as described in this incident.
The Incident and Investigation
According to a report from the U.S. Department of Justice, published on Thursday, a hacker working for the Cartel Sinaloa obtained phone records of an FBI official and used surveillance cameras in Mexico City to track and kill informants of the agency in 2018.
This incident was revealed in an audit by the Inspector General of the Department of Justice, which examined the FBI’s efforts to mitigate the effects of “ubiquitous technical surveillance.” This term refers to the global proliferation of cameras and the thriving trade in vast repositories of communication, travel, and location data.
How the Hacking and Surveillance Occurred
- The hacker identified a legal attaché working for the FBI at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
- The hacker used the legal attaché’s phone number to access call logs and location data.
- The hacker employed Mexico City’s surveillance camera system to monitor the FBI official’s movements and identify individuals they met with.
The Cartel Sinaloa then used this information to intimidate and, in some cases, murder potential sources or cooperating witnesses.
Implications for Law Enforcement and Intelligence Gathering
The incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement and intelligence agencies due to the widespread collection of granular location data from individuals’ phones and the increasing coverage of surveillance cameras. These factors have made it difficult for agencies to rely on confidential informants, a critical component of their operations.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was involved in the incident? A hacker working for the Cartel Sinaloa, led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, was involved in obtaining phone records and using surveillance cameras to track FBI informants.
- What information was compromised? The hacker accessed call logs and location data of an FBI legal attaché in Mexico City.
- How did the Cartel Sinaloa use the obtained information? The cartel used the information to intimidate and, in some cases, kill potential sources or cooperating witnesses.
- What are the broader implications for law enforcement? The incident underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement and intelligence agencies in maintaining confidential informants due to the widespread collection of location data and increased surveillance camera coverage.
