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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
in the US
in the US
Asian Organized 1960s West Coast and major Human trafficking, illegal
racketeering
Colombian Drug 1970s Miami, New York Drug trafficking, money laundering,
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
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
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
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
2019).
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
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
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).
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
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
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
United States. The geographical hegemony of the cartel plays a pivotal role in facilitating the
and acts of murder. The primary focus of its criminal operations centers on engaging in
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
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
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
has shown resiliency in the face of pressures from rival cartels and law authorities. The cartel
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has a history of avoiding detection and extradition by operating through tunnels, dishonest
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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,
enforcement, intending to preserve territorial dominance and induce fear within local
populations. The Gulf Cartel represents a formidable multinational criminal entity with many
Origins and Early Activities: It emerged in the northeastern region of Mexico and
and cigarettes, across the border between the United States and Mexico in the early 1900s.
smuggling into the United States. This pivotal shift marked the inception of its engagement in
illicit activities, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, and extortion (Murphy &
Rossi, 2020).
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
Due to its proximity to major urban centers and critical transportation networks, the
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.
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
Challenges and Law Enforcement Response: The Gulf Cartel encounters many
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
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.
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The Zetas
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.
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.
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
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
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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
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
fight against Mexican drug cartels, whose actions severely threaten Mexico, the United
States, and other nations. A complex strategy that includes intelligence sharing, coordinated
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
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
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
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
Cartel Investigation
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
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operation took place over months, culminating in the arrest of numerous senior cartels,
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 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.
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
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
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
enterprises. It reaffirmed the unflinching dedication of law enforcement to protect the public
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
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cooperation, intelligence sharing, and the dedication to holding those responsible for
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.
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References
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Finckenauer, J. O., & Chin, K. (2018). Asian transnational organized crime and its impact on
Flores, M., & Flores, O. (2018). Cartel wives : a true story of deadly decisions, steadfast
COVID ‐19 on Gangs and Drug Cartels in Colombia and Mexico. Bulletin of Latin
Hogan, A., & Century, D. (2018). Hunting El Chapo : taking down the world’s most wanted
Justice Department Announces Charges Against Sinaloa Cartel’s Global Operation. (2023,
announces-charges-against-sinaloa-cartel-s-global-operation
Justice Department to announce charges against more than 24 Mexican drug cartel
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
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2019.102433
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Pansters, W. G. (2018). Drug trafficking, the informal order, and caciques. Reflections on the
https://doi.org/10.1080/17440572.2018.1471343
Pickering-Iazzi, R. (2019). The Mafia in Italian lives and literature : life sentences and their