In July 2015, Mexico’s most notorious drug lord, Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, escaped from
prison.
El Chapo is the boss of the largest drug gang in the Western Hemisphere, the Sinaloa cartel.
As Mexico enters its 9th year in the Drug War, with some estimating over 100,000 casualties,
we wanted to know, what are Mexico’s biggest, baddest cartels?
Well the Sinaloa cartel is by far the biggest.
This is partially because the group is organized through a loose series of associated gangs,
and regularly absorbs smaller gangs.
While other cartels have a direct hierarchy and a single leader, the Sinaloa operates
under a board-of-directors, with El Chapo at the top.
The group has thousands of members who deal heavily in cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines,
MDMA and marijuana.
In fact, as much as 80% of US meth, and half of US heroin comes from the Sinaloa Cartel.
Overall, they’re considered responsible for a quarter of all illegal drugs smuggled
into the US from Mexico.
Sinaloa has been called "the most powerful drug trafficking organization in the world".
Part of their success may have to do with the alleged cooperation of the Mexican military,
who’ve been accused of taking bribes to crack down on other rival cartels.
The other largest cartel is the Zetas.
While Sinaloa has more members, the Zetas cover more territory.
Together, both groups are estimated to have up to 100,000 members.
The Zetas are particularly known for their extreme brutality, and sophisticated technology.
Their income is less-so based on drugs than the Sinaloa, and they are considered significantly
more dangerous.
Most murders, beheadings, kidnappings, assassinations, and extortions in Mexico are attributed to
the Zetas.
They are also known to brutally torture their rivals.
They are more like a paramilitary group than just an average street gang.
Another notable, but less powerful group is the Juarez Cartel.
They are the oldest operating cartel, and used to be the strongest and most brutally
violent.
Under their control, the city of Ciudad Juarez became the murder capital of the world, with
130 murders per 100,000 residents.
The cartel’s reign of terror kept up for several years until they were displaced by
the Sinaloa, and murder rates dropped.
Today their influence has faded and their leader is in prison.
While other dangerous groups like the Tijuana Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, and the BLO are major
players in the Mexican Drug War, none are nearly as powerful as the Sinaloa or the Zetas.
Most other gangs cooperate with one or the other, leading to growth in both cartels.
Many have pointed to the Drug War itself as a motivating factor for these cartels to continue
their violent activities.
Despite an ongoing crackdown by Mexican police and military, the cartels appear to be as
strong as they’ve ever been.
El Chapo’s elaborate prison break through a 5 million dollar tunnel makes it clear that
being locked up doesn’t stop you from wielding major power.
If you’re curious about how he managed to pull it off, check out Seeker Daily’s video.
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day.