Drug Cartels

Impact

Significant impact on communities, widespread instability, thousands of deaths, fuel rampant corruption and violence, constitute the greatest drug trafficking threat to the United States.

Structure

Large, commercial operations that are highly organized and well-financed, composed of multiple Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) and cells with specific assignments (e.g., drug transportation, security/enforcement, money laundering).

Definition

Highly organized criminal organizations specializing in the production and distribution of illegal drugs, often engaging in other criminal activities like human trafficking and money laundering.

Funding Source

Derive tens of billions of dollars annually from illicit drug trafficking and associated activities.

Associated Crisis

Fentanyl crisis in the United States.

Primary Activities

Production and distribution of illegal drugs (cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl), human smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, violence, assassinations, bombings.

Proposed Designation

Terrorist organizations (advocated by Tulsi Gabbard under President Donald Trump).

Key Locations of Operation

Globally, with many notorious ones based in Mexico (e.g., Sinaloa, Tijuana, Gulf, Juarez, Los Zetas) and historically in Colombia (e.g., Medellin, Cali).

Precursor Chemical Origin (for Fentanyl)

China.

1970s

1980s

1989

Early 21st century

2006

A drug cartel is a highly organized criminal organization that specializes in the production and distribution of illegal drugs. These cartels often engage in various other criminal activities, including human trafficking and money laundering, and they can have a significant impact on the communities in which they operate. Although drug cartels exist globally, many of the most notorious are based in Mexico, such as the Sinaloa Federation, which has been linked to a substantial amount of the [...] Published in: 2025 By: Kennedy, Adrienne, MA Go to EBSCOhost and sign in to access more content about this topic. ## Drug cartel A drug cartel is a criminal organization that controls the production and distribution of illegal drugs. Most drug cartels are large, commercial operations that are highly organized and well financed. Members of drug cartels are often involved in other criminal activities, such as human smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, and even terrorism. [...] The history of drug cartels can be traced back to the 1970s in Colombia, where early operations like the Medellin and Cali cartels began smuggling cocaine into the U.S. As law enforcement efforts increased, cartels shifted operations to Mexico, leading to the emergence of powerful organizations such as the Tijuana and Gulf Cartels. The violence associated with these drug wars has resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread instability, affecting not only those involved in the drug trade but

Drug cartels are large, highly sophisticated organizations composed of multiple DTOs and cells with specific assignments such as drug transportation, security/enforcement, or money laundering. Drug cartel command-and-control structures are based outside the United States; however, they produce, transport, and distribute illicit drugs domestically with the assistance of DTOs that are either a part of or in an alliance with the cartel. [...] Wholesale-level DTOs, especially Mexican DTOs, constitute the greatest drug trafficking threat to the United States. These organizations derive tens of billions of dollars annually from the trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs and associated activities. All of the adverse societal impact resulting from the illicit drug trade begins with the criminal acts of DTOs that produce, transport, and distribute the drugs. Drug Cartels, Drug Trafficking Organizations, Criminal Groups, and Gangs

drug cartel, an illicit consortium of independent organizations formed to limit competition and control the production and distribution of illegal drugs. Drug cartels are extremely well-organized, well-financed, efficient, and ruthless. Since the 1980s, they have dominated the international narcotics trade. [...] Leaders of drug cartels have been retroactively defined by the DEA as having been narco-terrorists. For example, Escobar of the Medellín cartel is now described as having committed “terrorist activities,” such as the bombing of a commercial airliner in 1989. He also was responsible for the assassination of politicians, presidential candidates, police officers, journalists, and Colombian supreme court justices. [...] However, Tijuana faced fierce—and often violent—competition from other drug organizations, notably the Juárez, Gulf, and Sinaloa cartels. Under the leadership of Joaquín Guzmán Loera—commonly known as El Chapo (“Shorty”), the Sinaloa cartel emerged as one of the world’s most powerful drug cartels in the early 21st century; according to various reports at the time, it accounted for the majority of illegal drugs in the United States. The Sinaloa cartel amassed power through murder, bribes, and

Join us Aug. 28, 12–2 PM at Desert Hope for Suicide Prevention Lunch & Learn | 2 CEUs | Register here / blog / about addiction / worldwide drug cartels # The 5 Most Powerful Drug Cartels in the World Written by: Editorial Staff Published: Jan 24, 2024 Updated: Aug 02, 2024 Table of Contents Sinaloa Cartel Medellin Cartel Gulf Cartel Los Zetas Juarez Cartel [...] The vast majority of drugs are consumed by Americans—both illicit and prescription substances—but most of these drugs are not made in the United States. In fact, drug cartels based in Central and South America are responsible for bringing illegal drugs across the border and into the US. This page will cover the 5 most famous and powerful drug cartels in the world. 📱Struggling with substance addiction? Get immediate help with FREE 24/7 live phone support. Call 702-848-6223. ## Sinaloa Cartel [...] A Mexico-based cartel famous largely because their long-term leader, El Chapo, was recently captured and imprisoned, the dangerous Sinaloa Cartel is also notorious for its extensive ties to the Mexican federal police and military. Their organization has extensive reach across Central and South America, and is one of the leading drug exporters to the United States, primarily exporting heroin and cocaine.