Introduction
The National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) report by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has highlighted a possible strategic partnership between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Chapo faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, also known as “Los Chapitos.”
Key Findings in the NDTA Report
- Potential Alliance: The report suggests a potential alliance between CJNG and Los Chapitos, which could pose significant threats to public health, the rule of law, and national security in the U.S.
- Drug Production and Distribution: Mexican cartels are the primary producers and distributors of illicit drugs fueling the overdose crisis in the U.S.
- Control of Clandestine Labs: These cartels control clandestine labs in Mexico where they manufacture fentanyl and methamphetamine using chemical precursors primarily sourced from China and India.
- Organized Distribution Networks:
- Involvement in Other Illegal Activities:
Drugs are transported from the southwestern border, mainly through Arizona and California, and then distributed across the U.S. by associated networks.
Mexican cartels are involved in activities such as oil theft and smuggling, arms trafficking, illegal mining, and migrant smuggling.
Cartel Activities and Adaptation
The report details how Mexican cartels have quickly adapted to international regulations on chemical precursors, diversifying supply routes and acquiring unregulated substances from new sources like Europe.
- Designated Terrorist Groups:
- Operation Top Fuel:
Six powerful Mexican groups, including the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, Gulf Cartel, Northeast Cartel, New Michoacan Family, and the United Cartels, have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. Department of State.
This joint investigation revealed that cartels like CJNG and Sinaloa are smuggling crude oil illegally from Pemex to the U.S., involving legal U.S. companies, causing multimillion-dollar losses for both Mexico and U.S. businesses.
Cartel Operations and Structure
Sinaloa Cartel:
- Operates in at least 40 countries with thousands of members and facilitators.
- Its decentralized structure has allowed it to expand operations into Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
- The arrests of key figures like Ismael “Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, a member of Los Chapitos, have intensified internal divisions within the group.
CJNG:
- The financial arm, “Los Cuinis,” leads complex money laundering operations using cryptocurrencies, shell companies, cash smuggling, and real estate fraud.
Other Cartels:
- The Northeast Cartel controls routes in Tamaulipas, using vehicles from buses to cargo trucks for drug and migrant trafficking.
- The New Michoacan Family, operating in the strategic port of Lázaro Cárdenas, has linked up with various cartels to access border routes.
- The United Cartels continue their territorial struggle against CJNG in Michoacán.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What is the potential alliance mentioned in the NDTA report?
- Q: How do Mexican cartels threaten the U.S.?
- Q: How have Mexican cartels adapted to international regulations?
- Q: What are some examples of illegal activities engaged in by Mexican cartels?
A: The potential alliance is between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Chapo faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, known as “Los Chapitos.”
A: Mexican cartels pose significant threats to public health, the rule of law, and national security in the U.S. through drug production, distribution, and involvement in other illegal activities.
A: Mexican cartels have quickly adapted by diversifying supply routes and acquiring unregulated substances from new sources like Europe.
A: Mexican cartels are involved in oil theft and smuggling, arms trafficking, illegal mining, and migrant smuggling.
