Updated May 5 -
Guadalajara -
The European Union's primary law enforcement agency, Europol, warned today that Mexican drug cartels are working hard to establish themselves as the primary players in the continental narcotics market, and in collateral criminal enterprises such as weapons and human trafficking.
The alert came in a formal report to member nations of the EU, the principle focus of which was the impact of Mexican organized crime's expanding operations throughout Europe.
Europol said that Mexican cartels are "global coordinators" of cocaine destined for European, North American and Asian markets, and are major producers of synthetic and "designer" drugs as well.
Mar. 26 - Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel has 90% market domination in U.S.
Feb. 11 - The Chicago Connection: Sinaloa Cartel moves cocaine from Windy City to Australia
Jan. 13 - Mexican drug cartels operate in 1,286 U.S. cities, assisted by 33,000 gangs
Jan. 6 - Mexican drug cartels enjoy global presence via cocaine
"In the last decade, Mexican cartels have developed for themselves a key role in the panorama of international organized crime," wrote Europol in its bulletin (Drug cartels present greater threat to U.S. security than Iran, says State Department).
Europol called Los Zetas Mexico's "most powerful and violent" organized crime group (Los Zetas are "dominant force" in Central America and have foothold in Belize, says U.N. analysis). It warned that all of the cartels are diversifying, and want to expand their operations to include human trafficking for sexual purposes ("Almost bankrupt" Guatemala calls for U.S. help in fighting drug cartels, forced labor, sex trafficking). And Europol reported that Mexican cartels are already involved in gunrunning in southeastern Europe, trading the weapons for cocaine purchased from South American producers.
Europol claimed in its report that it recently frustrated a plan by the Sinaloa Cartel to establish itself as the primary cocaine dealer in European markets. "But nonetheless, it is expected that Mexican organized crime groups will continue enlarging their role by creating a network of narcotics distribution on the continent," the police agency noted.
Europol said all of the Mexican cartels have an "extremely violent culture." "We don't want the level of brutality seen in Mexico to be reflected in Europe," it warned the EU's 27 member states.
Apr. 13 - When Europol noted the "violent culture and brutality" of Mexico's drug war, it probably had this type of occurrence in mind. And yet last month, after seven people were executed by a machine gun armed hit squad in a Cancún bar, no less a source than the world famous Reuters news agency began an account of the murders with this phrase: "Cancún, unaccustomed to drug war violence in recent years, . . .." In fact this type of brutality is played out on streets there almost every day.
May 5 - This article reports that elusive Sinaloa Cartel boss Chapo Guzmán is focused on expanding operations in Spain, which is reeling from 27% unemployment. The rising economic - and political - instability there make it a perfect location for money laundering and assorted other crimes, according to the analysis.
Apr. 14 - The sun never sets on the vast Sinaloa empire of El Chapo Guzmán.
Mar. 31 - Mexican drug traffickers find ready assistance in mules carrying American passports
Feb. 14 - Chicago calls El Chapo Guzmán "Public Enemy # 1"
Feb. 10 - Mexican marines arrest chief executioner for El Chapo Guzmán in Sinaloa state
Jan. 7 - Until drug demand is reduced in the United States, "the violence in Mexico will continue"
Aug. 27, 2012 - Le Monde lashes out at Mexico's "spiral of barbarism"
Dec. 29, 2011 - Honduras ships tons of cocaine to U.S., "where the customers are"
Nov. 16, 2011 - In drug war, "national sovereignty" is antiquated political theory
© MGRR 2013. All rights reserved. This article may be cited or briefly quoted with proper attribution or a hyperlink, but not reproduced without permission.
And the Sicilian mafia has a stronghold on Playa del Carmen.
ReplyDeleteIf that's the case, I've seen zero evidence of it, nor has any responsible source - government, press, or otherwise - ever made such an allegation. Perhaps you're speaking tongue in cheek. My own opinion is that the half dozen cartels and gangs warring in Quintana Roo state would decimate the Sicilian mafia faster than Italian salami is sliced up in a Subway shop.
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