Drug Trafficking

Trump’s Treasury Department Targets Mexican Cartels Trafficking Fentanyl, Stolen Fuel

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced financial sanctions on three Mexican nationals and two Mexico-based entities allegedly involved in a drug trafficking and fuel theft network linked to the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG). The sanctions have been coordinated through the Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in conjunction with multiple federal law enforcement agencies. The intent is to disrupt the CJNG cartel’s ability to continue reaping profits from fentanyl trafficking and large-scale fuel smuggling activities.

Treasury Goes After Mexican Cartel over Fuel, Fentanyl Trafficking (Government FIle Photos

DOJ Files First-Ever RICO Charges Against 27 Tren de Aragua Gang Members

The Department of Justice filed multiple federal charges against 27 members of the hyperviolent Tren de Aragua Venezuelan gang on Monday. The charges include Racketeering, Narcotics and Sex Trafficking, Robbery, and Firearms offenses. DOJ officials say this marks the first time RICO charges have been filed against Tren de Aragua gang members.

Tren de Aragua tattoos (Texas Department of Public Safety)

Coast Guard Seizes $500 Million in Drugs Tied to Mexican Cartel

The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James offloaded approximately 48,000 pounds of illicit narcotics with a street value estimated to be worth more than $509 million at Port Everglades, Florida, on Wednesday. The offloaded contraband, a result of thirteen offshore interdictions in international waters, will involve 11 separate criminal cases.

U.S. Coast Guard

Los Zetas Supreme Bosses Facing Life in Prison or Death Penalty if Convicted in U.S. Court

Two brothers who were the supreme leaders of Los Zetas cartel are currently facing a possible life term in prison or a death sentence if they are convicted of the numerous charges against them filed against them by U.S. prosecutors. Earlier this year, the U.S. government designated Los Zetas, who have rebranded as Cartel Del Noreste (CDN), as one of six Mexican cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).

Los Zetas Attack 1

560 Pounds of Cocaine Seized from Mexican Cartel Smuggler near Border in Texas

In three separate events in the Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector, agents seized nearly 560 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $18 million. Two seizures occurred at a fixed highway checkpoint after routine immigration inspections. The third seizure resulted from a roving patrol stop initiated by Border Patrol agents. The three seizures were reported within hours of each other on Sunday morning.

Cocaine Seized near Border in Texas (U.S. Border Patrol)

USAID Dollars Sent to Mexico to Combat Cartels Produced Dismal Results

United States taxpayers have sent more than $3 billion to Mexico since 2008 to combat the drug cartels that have mercilessly flooded illicit narcotics, including fentanyl, into the country. Despite the infusion of U.S. tax dollars funneled to Mexico through the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and USAID, the cartels have become stronger rather than weaker.

Cartel Violence - Drug and Human Smuggling (Cartel Chronicles/Breitbart Texas)

Bolivia’s Ex-Narcotics Director Extradited to U.S. on Gun, Cocaine Charges

Maximiliano Davila-Perez, once the Director of the Bolivian Special Forces for the Fight Against Drug Trafficking (FELCN), has been extradited to the United States where he faces federal charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States. He is also charged with conspiracy to use and possess automatic weapons in connection with his cocaine importation scheme. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced Davila-Perez’ extradition from Bolivia on Friday.

Maximiliano Davila-Perez Extradited to U.S. (Bolivian Ministry of Government)

Spanish Cops Bust Sinaloa Cartel Cell Behind Ransom Kidnapping, Murder in Spain

Authorities in Spain announced the recent arrest of a Sinaloa Cartel cell that they had linked to drug trafficking, ransom kidnapping, and murders in that country. As part of the raids tied to the cell, Spanish authorities also dismantled a lab that cartel members used to remove synthetic drugs that had been infused into clothing to smuggle them into the country.

Spanish police arrest a member of the Sinaloa Cartel during a raid. (Credit: Spanish Natio