Work

Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 18

1

Transnational Organized Crime Groups Investigated by the FBI

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course

Date
2

Transnational Organized Crime Groups Investigated by the FBI

The security and stability of the world are seriously threatened by transnational

organized crime. These criminal organizations operate internationally and engage in various

illegal operations, such as smuggling people and drugs. The FBI crucially aids investigations

into and prosecution of these criminal organizations in the United States. The Organized

Crime Section, the Counterterrorism Division, and the Criminal Investigative Division are the

FBI's three central organized crime departments. This essay outlines the five major

international organized crime groups the FBI looks into.

Table 1: Transnational Organized Crime Groups Investigated by the FBI

Group Name Emergence Key Operating Areas Main Crimes

in the US
in the US

Mexican Drug 1980s Southwest border Drug trafficking, extortion,

Cartels states kidnapping, and money laundering

Russian Organized 1980s Major cities Cybercrime, racketeering, arms

Crime nationwide trafficking, and drug trade

Italian Mafia Late 19th Northeastern US Extortion, loan sharking, illegal

century gambling, and murder

Asian Organized 1960s West Coast and major Human trafficking, illegal

Crime cities nationwide gambling, drug trafficking, and

racketeering

Colombian Drug 1970s Miami, New York Drug trafficking, money laundering,

Cartels City, Los Angeles, and kidnapping, and violence

other areas nationwide


3

Given their extraordinary ability to operate worldwide, adapt to changing conditions,

and acquire enormous fortune from their criminal enterprises, transnational organized crime

groups seriously threaten the United States and its national security. The Federal Bureau of

Investigation (FBI) has created specialist divisions dedicated to investigating and disrupting

these illegal organizations to combat these threatening entities (Justice, 2019). The intricate

dynamics of the five main transnational organized criminal groups that the FBI relentlessly

investigates will be painstakingly examined in this essay.

Mexican Drug Cartels

A continuous and severe threat has been introduced to United States law enforcement

authorities with the rise of Mexican drug cartels in the 1980s. These criminal groups

primarily operate in the Southwest border states, including but not limited to Texas, Arizona,

New Mexico, and California. Mexican criminal gangs, notorious for their involvement in

drug trafficking, plan the covert importation of narcotics into the United States, including

cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and fentanyl (Murphy & Rossi, 2020). To sustain and

grow their criminal enterprises, their operational scope goes beyond the drug trade, including

extortion, kidnapping, and money laundering.

Russian Organized Crime

Russian organized criminal groups have a sizable presence in many of the country's

largest cities. These organizations have developed expertise in cybercrime, racketeering, arms

trafficking, and the drug trade. Complex hierarchies and a preference for white-collar crime

distinguish them. They are notable for having designed complex financial fraud schemes that

have echoed worldwide. Russian organized crime presents a variety of difficulties for law

enforcement authorities due to its capacity to penetrate computer networks and participate in

numerous illicit operations with significant consequences (Di Nicola, 2022).


4

Italian Mafia

The Italian Mafia has been a significant part of American society since the late 19th

century, and it mainly works in the northeastern part of the country. Their illegal activities are

centered in cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Extortion, loan-sharking, illicit

gambling, and murder are the primary operations of the Italian Mafia. The Italian Mafia

continues to exercise its power and is a strong force in organized crime despite decades of

unrelenting law enforcement efforts to dismantle these criminal syndicates (Pickering-Iazzi,

2019).

Asian Organized Crime

Since their emergence in the 1960s, Asian organized crime groups have exerted

significant power, particularly on the West Coast and in key cities nationwide. These close-

knit criminal groups operate in a wide range of unlawful operations, such as but not restricted

to racketeering, illegal gambling, and human trafficking. Notably, they frequently operate

within immigrant communities, using their broad networks and cultural ties to elude law

enforcement investigations (Finckenauer & Chin, 2018). The isolation of these groupings

makes it extremely difficult to infiltrate and destroy them.

Colombian Drug Cartels

Since the 1970s, the United States has been plagued by the influence of the

Colombian drug cartels, whose primary operating hubs are in Miami, New York City, Los

Angeles, and other essential locations. They are primarily accountable for the drug trade,

especially for bringing massive quantities of cocaine and other illegal substances into the

nation (Gomez, 2020). Violent tendencies, money laundering schemes, and kidnappings also

mark the activities of Colombian drug cartels. Their brutal strategies are essential to grip the

lucrative narcotics trade tightly.


5

A thorough analysis of the Mexican drug cartels

Mexican drug cartels now command the majority of transnational organized crime

organizations operating in the United States, posing a serious and ominous threat to society

and law enforcement. These cartels, whose origins may be seen in the 1980s, have matured

and considerably widened their power. Several influential syndicates, notably the Sinaloa

Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), the Gulf Cartel, and the Zetas, impose

their authority within the complex network of Mexican drug cartels (Pansters, 2018).

The Sinaloa Cartel

One of the most prominent and influential Mexican drug gangs operating not only in

Mexico but also in the United States and other countries worldwide is the Sinaloa Cartel, also

known as the Cartel de Sinaloa. Despite substantial changes and difficulties since its

establishment in the 1980s, the cartel has remained a significant player in transnational

organized crime (Pansters, 2018).

Leadership and Important People: The notorious drug kingpin Joaqun "El Chapo"

Guzmán oversaw the Sinaloa Cartel for several years. El Chapo's arrest and subsequent

extradition to the US in 2016 dealt the cartel a severe setback, but it has continued to function

under new management. The cartel is renowned for its capacity to quickly adjust to changes

in leadership while continuing to hold a dominant position (Pansters, 2018).

Territorial Operation: The territorial operation of the Sinaloa Cartel includes a

comprehensive and strategically significant area, stretching from its stronghold in the state of

Sinaloa, Mexico, to many other Mexican states and major operational regions in the United

States, particularly in the Southwest Border States. The territorial approach encompasses

regulating drug trafficking routes, border crossings, and entrance sites, facilitating the illicit

transportation of narcotics, particularly cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, into the


6

United States. The geographical hegemony of the cartel plays a pivotal role in facilitating the

adequate transnational transportation of illicit narcotics and consolidating its influence on

both sides of the border. (Pansters, 2018).

Criminal Activities: The Sinaloa Cartel engages in a diverse array of illegal

endeavors, including drug trafficking, money laundering, kidnappings, human trafficking,

and acts of murder. The primary focus of its criminal operations centers on engaging in

illegal drug trafficking, particularly in smuggling cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine

through the borders of the United States.

The cartel additionally partakes in substantial money laundering activities to legalize

its unlawfully acquired funds. It frequently employs violent tactics, such as assassinations,

beheadings, and mass executions, to uphold its dominance and eliminate competitors.

Kidnapping and extortion are employed as methods of obtaining financial gains and exerting

dominance, whereas human trafficking exploits individuals who are in vulnerable

circumstances for diverse objectives. In general, the criminal endeavors of the Sinaloa Cartel

exhibit a wide range of operations and yield substantial profits, thus establishing its status as

a formidable transnational criminal organization (Pansters, 2018).

Violent Tactics: The Sinaloa Cartel uses violent strategies, including acts of violence

such as beheadings, targeted killings, mass killings, kidnappings, and attacks on law

enforcement. These behaviors sometimes involve public displays that frighten adversaries,

authorities, and communities. The cartel's reputation as a cunning and dangerous criminal

group is cemented by this excessive brutality, which aims to instill fear, discourage

resistance, and crush rivalry. (Pansters, 2018).

Adaptability: Adaptability is one of the Sinaloa Cartel's defining characteristics. It

has shown resiliency in the face of pressures from rival cartels and law authorities. The cartel
7

has a history of avoiding detection and extradition by operating through tunnels, dishonest

officials, and intricate networks (Pansters, 2018).

The Sinaloa Cartel continues to be a solid and adaptable criminal organization despite

continued efforts by both Mexican and American law enforcement agencies to break it up.

Global law enforcement organizations fighting transnational organized crime continue to face

a substantial challenge due to the cartel's capacity to reinvent itself and retain control over

important drug trafficking corridors.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)

One of the largest and most dangerous transnational criminal organizations operating

in Mexico and extending its tentacles into the United States is the Jalisco New Generation

Cartel (CJNG), also known as "Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación" in Spanish. A prominent

force in the world of organized crime since its founding in the early 2010s, the CJNG is

known for its daring strategies and bloody clashes (Murphy & Rossi, 2020).

Origins and Leadership: The CJNG was born from the ruins of former drug gangs,

especially the Milenio Cartel. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho," the

cartel's founder, has been instrumental in determining its brutal course. The CJNG has

worked to position itself as a significant force in the illegal drug trade, while El Mencho has

been its commander (Murphy & Rossi, 2020).

Operational Territory: The CJNG has strongholds in the Mexican states of Jalisco,

Michoacán, Guanajuato, and Colima, but it generally operates throughout the country. It has

expanded throughout the US, especially in California, Texas, and Illinois. The cartel's

primary business is trafficking drugs, focusing on manufacturing and distributing

methamphetamine (Murphy & Rossi, 2020).


8

Criminal Activities: Drug trafficking is the CJNG's primary business, but it has

expanded its illegal activities. The cartel strengthens its illicit enterprise by engaging in

people trafficking, money laundering, and extortion. It can adjust to changing circumstances

and revenue streams because of this diversification (Murphy & Rossi, 2020).

Violence and Tactics: CJNG is notorious for its excessive toughness and readiness to

get into physical altercations. The cartel has engaged in high-profile conflicts with rival

criminal groups, resulting in horrific violence like beheadings and mass murder. These

strategies have spread panic and dread among the locations where CJNG's operations have

taken place (Murphy & Rossi, 2020).

Challenges and Law Enforcement Response: Because of its quick expansion and

bold strategies, the CJNG offers substantial difficulties for law enforcement organizations in

Mexico and the United States. The cartel has been targeted by governments on both sides of

the border, leading to high-profile arrests and asset seizures. However, the CJNG continues to

be a deadly foe due to its versatility, capacity for infiltrating all facets of society, and access

to a wealth of resources (Murphy & Rossi, 2020).

The growth of the CJNG into a significant multinational organized crime organization

highlights the intricate and dynamic nature of the drug trade and organized crime in the

Americas. To confront the risks posed by the CJNG, law enforcement agencies and

governments on both sides of the border must continue to work together in a coordinated

manner (Murphy & Rossi, 2020).

The Gulf Cartel

The Gulf Cartel, a prominent drug gang based in Mexico, primarily conducts its

operations in the northeastern region of the country and strategically positioned border areas

of the United States. The primary concentration of its operations revolves around the illicit
9

trade of narcotics, with a specific emphasis on the clandestine transportation of cocaine,

marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine across the United States border. Furthermore, it

partakes in illicit activities such as people smuggling and trafficking, extortion, abduction,

and money laundering. The cartel is renowned for its utilization of aggressive strategies,

including assassinations, dismemberment, ambushes, and encounters with police

enforcement, intending to preserve territorial dominance and induce fear within local

populations. The Gulf Cartel represents a formidable multinational criminal entity with many

illicit undertakings and a record of exceedingly violent behavior.

Origins and Early Activities: It emerged in the northeastern region of Mexico and

initially concentrated on the illicit transportation of prohibited merchandise, such as alcohol

and cigarettes, across the border between the United States and Mexico in the early 1900s.

Subsequently, it transformed drug trafficking, predominantly focusing on narcotics

smuggling into the United States. This pivotal shift marked the inception of its engagement in

organized criminal endeavors, ultimately expanding its operations to encompass a range of

illicit activities, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, and extortion (Murphy &

Rossi, 2020).

Operational Territory: The operating jurisdiction of the Gulf Cartel is mainly

concentrated in the northeastern region of Mexico, with a particular focus on states such as

Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon. The geographical scope encompasses significant regions along

the border between the United States and Mexico, encompassing portions of Texas and

Louisiana. The geographical location of this territory holds considerable strategic importance

due to its ability to control the transportation routes utilized for drug trafficking and the

smuggling of illicit goods into the United States.


10

Due to its proximity to major urban centers and critical transportation networks, the

cartel has emerged as a significant participant in transnational drug trafficking. Furthermore,

the exertion of territorial claims and engagement in battles with competing cartels have

significantly bolstered its dominance and garnered a reputation of infamy across the region.

(Murphy & Rossi, 2020).

Evolution and Rivalry: The Gulf Cartel has experienced a substantial transformation

over its existence, switching from the illicit trade of contraband to the trafficking of drugs

while diversifying its involvement in various criminal endeavors. The evolutionary trajectory

of this phenomenon has been characterized by its competition with other cartels, most notably

the Los Zetas, resulting in violent confrontations and territorial conflicts. The Gulf Cartel's

capacity to adapt and engage in the illicit drug trade has been shaped by its persistent

conflicts and dynamic alliances within organized crime.

Challenges and Law Enforcement Response: The Gulf Cartel encounters many

problems, encompassing persistent acts of violence perpetrated by rival cartels, law

enforcement endeavors aimed at impeding its operational activities, and conflicts arising from

territory disputes. Law enforcement authorities in Mexico and the United States have

undertaken focused operations to dismantle the cartel, resulting in the apprehension of those

involved and confiscating their assets. Nevertheless, the cartel's capacity to adjust and its

sway over its operational regions persistently present noteworthy obstacles to law

enforcement endeavors to eliminate illicit undertakings. (Murphy & Rossi, 2020).

Dealing with international criminal organizations like the Gulf Cartel is challenging

due to their adaptability to changing circumstances and historical dominance over important

drug trafficking routes. Mexican and American law enforcement agencies continue to

collaborate globally.
11

The Zetas

Commonly referred to as Los Zetas in Spanish, this particular faction represents a

highly aggressive collective within the Mexican context. The organization commenced its

operations during the latter part of the 1990s and has garnered notoriety for employing

substantial force and military strategies and engaging in illicit endeavors such as drug

trafficking.

Leadership and its origins: The Gulf Cartel hired former members of the Mexican

special forces to work as enforcers, and these individuals became known as the Zetas. The

organization eventually decided to leave the Gulf Cartel as commanders like Miguel Angel

Trevio Morales, alias "Z-40," and Heriberto Lazcano, alias "El Lazca," rose to prominence.

They developed into a strong cartel with considerable power and influence throughout time.

2020 (Murphy & Rossi).

Operational Territory: Several Mexican states and territories, including Tamaulipas,

Nuevo León, Veracruz, and Coahuila, are known to be home to the Zetas. Although they are

active over the entire nation, they are particularly abundant in the regions along the Mexican

border. They commit crimes like drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion in these places.

2020 (Murphy & Rossi).

Criminal Activity: According to Murphy and Rossi (2020), the Zetas are notorious

for various criminal operations, including drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering, oil

theft, and human trafficking. They have developed into a very adaptable and agile

organization due to their wide range of illegal operations.

Violence and tactic: The sheer violence of the Zetas distinguishes them. They have a

reputation for using public displays of violence, like beheadings and mass killings, to frighten
12

competitors and establish control over territory (Murphy & Rossi, 2020). Due to their

brutality, they are now among Mexico's most feared criminal organizations.

Challenges and Law Enforcement Response: To end the Zetas' operations, Mexican

and American law enforcement organizations have targeted them. High-profile arrests and

operations have undermined their leadership and logistical networks. However, the group's

adaptability, capacity for reorganization, and inclination for violence continue to present

substantial difficulties for law enforcement (Murphy & Rossi, 2020).

Law enforcement officials in Mexico and the United States are particularly concerned

about the Zetas due to their violent tactics and massive criminal activities, which have left a

trail of violence and devastation. To effectively attack the Zetas, foreign law enforcement

authorities must continue to cooperate and coordinate, and a multifaceted strategy that

addresses both their drug trafficking operations and other criminal enterprises is required.

Global Law Enforcement Cooperation in the Battle Against Mexican Drug Cartels

The FBI is at the forefront of international law enforcement organizations' tenacious

fight against Mexican drug cartels, whose actions severely threaten Mexico, the United

States, and other nations. A complex strategy that includes intelligence sharing, coordinated

actions, and cooperative investigations is essential to effectively tackling this enormous

challenge.

Intelligence Sharing: The cornerstone of the fight against Mexican drug gangs is the

exchange of intelligence. The FBI works closely with law enforcement agencies worldwide,

particularly those in Mexico, to share vital intelligence about cartel operations, organizational

structures, and key figures. This collective intelligence aids in spotting intervention

opportunities and weak points (Justice, 2019).


13

Coordinated Operations: It entail strategic preparation and execution that frequently

cross international boundaries. Targeting cartel leaders, dismantling trafficking networks, and

stopping drug shipments are the goals of international law enforcement agencies like the FBI

and the Mexican Federal Police. These operations require seamless coordination and

communication for the most significant possible impact (Justice, 2019).

Joint Investigations: To develop compelling cases against cartel members and their

enablers, joint investigations pool the collective experience of multinational law enforcement

organizations. High-profile arrests and asset seizures are frequent outcomes of these

investigations, causing severe blows to cartel operations (Justice, 2019).

Financial Disruption: It is crucial to destroy the cartels' financial support system.

Financial institutions and law enforcement authorities work together to identify and seize

assets and monies associated with cartels. It makes it more difficult for the cartels to launder

their earnings, which limits their ability to grow their illicit operations (Justice, 2019).

Mexican drug cartels present a dynamic and ever-changing problem that demands

constant creativity and agility. International collaborations, such as those between the FBI

and Mexican law enforcement agencies, are essential for stifling cartel activity on both sides

of the border. Law enforcement organizations are consistent in their commitment to

safeguarding communities and reducing the impact of transnational criminal organizations,

even while procedures are continuously improved.

Recent News Article: International Collaboration Leads to Major Arrests in Sinaloa

Cartel Investigation

According to the Justice Department (2023), international cooperation and law

enforcement agencies from Mexico and the United States worked together to dismantle key

elements of the complicated drug trafficking network operated by the Sinaloa Cartel. The
14

operation took place over months, culminating in the arrest of numerous senior cartels,

including three of El Chapo’s sons, and confiscating sizable assets.

According to the Justice Department (2023), the cooperation started when Mexican

and American law enforcement agencies exchanged crucial intelligence about cartel activities

on both sides of the border. Because of this information exchange, law enforcement agencies

identified key persons and drug smuggling routes used by the cartel to infiltrate the United

States. Notably, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Mexican Federal

Police, and the Mexican Army meticulously planned and carried out the operation.

According to the Justice Department (2023), The first crucial step in this operation's

success was intelligence exchange. The DEA and Mexican Federal Police had assiduously

gathered data on the actions of the Sinaloa Cartel. It required locating key cartel players,

tracking the status of drug shipments, and mapping the intricate network of smuggling routes.

Through the exchange of intelligence, authorities could get a complete understanding of the

cartel's operations and plan the operation tactically.

According to the Justice Department (2023), the successful arrests of high-ranking

cartel members on both sides of the border were essential to the operation's success. These

people were essential to the organization's drug trafficking schemes. Arrests were made

concurrently in Mexico and the United States to ensure no one could elude justice. Along

with upsetting the cartel's hierarchy, the arrests yielded valuable data that could be applied to

current investigations.

According to the Justice Department (2023), another essential operation component

was the interception of narcotics shipments. Authorities on both sides of the border worked

together to locate and track these shipments, which were frequently well-hidden. Law

enforcement organizations could confiscate significant amounts of drugs by intercepting


15

these shipments before they reached their intended destinations in the United States. Due to

the supply chain disruption, the cartel could not profit from selling these drugs.

The operation targeted people, drugs, and the cartel's financial support system. Cartel

operations include much money laundering, enabling them to legalize their illegally acquired

wealth. Law enforcement agencies formed tight relationships with financial institutions to

track and seize assets connected to the cartel's criminal activities. Due to this financial

disruption, the cartel was seriously hindered in its capacity to finance its illegal activities

(Flores & Flores, 2018).

The operation focused on the cartel's communication networks to further erode its

ability to function. Secure communication networks are crucial to the coordination and covert

operation of cartels. Law enforcement authorities could learn crucial information about the

cartel's strategies and tactics by disrupting these networks and intercepting their

conversations, further diminishing the organization's effectiveness (Hogan & Century, 2018).

Beyond halting the Sinaloa Cartel's drug trafficking operations immediately, this

operation sent a strong message to other international organized crime organizations. It

demonstrated the effectiveness of international cooperation in stopping these criminal

enterprises. It reaffirmed the unflinching dedication of law enforcement to protect the public

from the many dangers of organized crime (Justice Department, 2023).

Global cooperation is crucial to combating the ever-evolving tactics of Mexican drug

cartels and other transnational criminal organizations in a continuously changing conflict.

This operation proved that law enforcement agencies from several nations could cooperate

effectively to thwart the plans of solid criminal organizations, even those as firmly

established and well-resourced as the Sinaloa Cartel. It emphasizes the value of ongoing
16

cooperation, intelligence sharing, and the dedication to holding those responsible for

organized crime accountable to account.

In conclusion, law enforcement organizations in the United States and worldwide face

a substantial threat from transnational organized crime groups like Mexican drug cartels.

Investigation and dismantling of these criminal organizations depend on the FBI and other

domestic and international partners. Law enforcement organizations can thwart and dismantle

these criminal businesses, resulting in arrests and confiscating assets through cooperation,

intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations. However, the fight against transnational

organized crime is a never-ending conflict that necessitates constant attention and global

collaboration.
17

References

Di Nicola, A. (2022). Towards digital organized crime and digital sociology of organized

crime. Trends in Organized Crime. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-022-09457-y

Finckenauer, J. O., & Chin, K. (2018). Asian transnational organized crime and its impact on

the United States: Developing a transnational crime research agenda. Trends in

Organized Crime, 10(2), 18–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-006-1034-3

Flores, M., & Flores, O. (2018). Cartel wives : a true story of deadly decisions, steadfast

love, and bringing down El Chapo. Grand Central Publishing.

Gomez, C. T. (2020). Organised Crime Governance in Times of Pandemic: The Impact of

COVID ‐19 on Gangs and Drug Cartels in Colombia and Mexico. Bulletin of Latin

American Research, 39(S1), 12–15. https://doi.org/10.1111/blar.13171

Hogan, A., & Century, D. (2018). Hunting El Chapo : taking down the world’s most wanted

drug lord. Harpercollins Publishers.

Justice. (2019). The FBI Story. Simon and Schuster.

Justice Department Announces Charges Against Sinaloa Cartel’s Global Operation. (2023,

April 14). Www.justice.gov. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-

announces-charges-against-sinaloa-cartel-s-global-operation

Justice Department to announce charges against more than 24 Mexican drug cartel

members. (n.d.). NBC News. Retrieved April 14, 2023, from

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/justice-department-announce-charges-24-

mexican-drug-cartel-members-rcna79717

Murphy, T. E., & Rossi, M. A. (2020). Following the poppy trail: Origins and consequences

of Mexican drug cartels. Journal of Development Economics, 143, 102433.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2019.102433
18

Pansters, W. G. (2018). Drug trafficking, the informal order, and caciques. Reflections on the

crime-governance nexus in Mexico. Global Crime, 19(3-4), 315–338.

https://doi.org/10.1080/17440572.2018.1471343

Pickering-Iazzi, R. (2019). The Mafia in Italian lives and literature : life sentences and their

geographies. University Of Toronto Press.

You might also like