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2017 National Drug Threat Assessment

TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS

Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations

Overview Over the past several years, Mexican

M exican TCOs maintain the greatest drug
trafficking influence in the United States,
with continued signs of growth and expansion
(see Figure 2). By controlling lucrative
smuggling corridors, primarily across the SWB,
Mexican TCOs export significant quantities
of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine,
marijuana, and possibly fentanyl into the
United States annually. Once these illicit drugs
are smuggled into the U.S., they are delivered
to user markets in the United States through
transportation routes and distribution cells
that are managed or influenced by Mexican
TCOs.
Figure 2. Areas of Influence of Major Mexican TCOs.
FDO - Division I DO - District Office I RO - Resident Office
TCOs have expanded their sphere
of influence into different regions
of the United States, including the
New England area. These TCOs are
moving to expand their share of
the market, especially in heroin and
methamphetamine.
The most significant illicit drug
threat posed to the greater Chicago
area is by Mexican TCOs, which
dominate the wholesale supply of
methamphetamine, cocaine, Mexican-
grown marijuana, and heroin in
this area. At this time there do not
appear to be any viable competitors

Source: DEA

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TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS to Mexican TCOs for control of
the wholesale drug supply to
the Chicago area. To move drug
shipments to Chicago, Mexican TCOs
employ intermediaries who oversee
shipments across the SWB, and
facilitate sales to wholesale and mid-
level clients.
Mexican TCOs based along SWB
states are the principal suppliers
of crystal methamphetamine
to the Washington DC region.
These Mexican TCOs control the
transportation of methamphetamine
to the area, and dominate distribution
at the wholesale level.
Mexican TCOs are the most prominent
wholesale heroin sources of supply
throughout the state of Georgia.
Most Significant Mexican TCOs Currently
Active in the United States
The drug trafficking landscape in Mexico
is in constant flux with new organizations
emerging as offshoots from previously
established TCOs. As of 2016, the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) assesses
the following six Mexican TCOs, as depicted in
Figures 3-8, hold the greatest drug trafficking
impact on the United States: Sinaloa Cartel,
Jalisco New Generation Cartel (Cartel Jalisco
Nueva Generacin, or CJNG), Juarez Cartel,
Gulf Cartel, Los Zetas Cartel, and Beltran-Leyva
Organization. Each of these TCOs maintains
drug distribution cells in designated cities
across the United States that either report
directly to TCO leaders in Mexico or indirectly
through intermediaries. While the Knights
Templar (Los Caballeros Templarios or LCT) is
still regarded as a viable TCO in Mexico, DEA
assesses it does not have a major impact on
the drug trafficking landscape within the
United States. 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:

Figure 3. Sinaloa Cartel Leadership.

ARRESTED ARRESTED
Joaqun Archivaldo Ismael Zambada-Garca, Damaso Lopez-Nuez,alias Rafael Caro-Quintero
Guzmn-Loera, alias El alias Mayo El Licenciado
Chapo
Source: DEA
Sinaloa Cartel The Sinaloa Cartel is one of the oldest and more established drug trafficking
organizations in Mexico. Though its birthplace and stronghold is the Mexican State of Sinaloa, 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, and heroin in the United States by maintaining distribution hubs in cities that include Phoenix,
Los Angeles, Denver, and Chicago. Illicit drugs distributed by the Sinaloa Cartel are primarily smuggled
into the United States through crossing points located along Mexicos border with California, Arizona,
New Mexico, and west Texas.
Sinaloa Cartel leaders operating under the wing of Joaquin Guzman-Loera, Ismael Zambada-
Garcia, and Rafael Caro-Quintero maintain cell heads in Phoenix, Arizona to oversee the
distribution of illegal drugs in the region.1 Cell heads also coordinate the transportation of
illegal drugs from Phoenix to various U.S. cities where cell heads are responsible for receiving
and distributing the shipments in each city.

2 UNCLASSIFIED