All articles tagged with #drug cartel
Thirteen suspected drug cartel members were killed in a shootout with Mexican authorities in Sinaloa, where ongoing cartel conflicts have resulted in over 1,700 deaths and nearly 2,000 missing persons, amid a brutal internal war following the arrest of cartel leader Ismael Zambada and the rise of factional violence.
A drug cartel operation in Rio de Janeiro resulted in a violent clash that killed 64 people, highlighting ongoing issues with organized crime and violence in the region.
The US military has conducted its eighth airstrike against alleged drug cartel vessels since September, this time in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in at least 2-3 deaths with no survivors, raising legal questions about the use of force in drug interdiction efforts.
The article discusses a recent U.S. military strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat by the Trump administration, raising questions about the legality and scope of presidential military power, bipartisan reactions, and implications for U.S. foreign and domestic policy.
Over 600 people were arrested in a weeklong operation by the DEA targeting the Sinaloa drug cartel, resulting in significant drug seizures and asset confiscations, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the cartel's operations in the U.S. and internationally.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has requested the U.S. to share the $15 billion seized from drug lord Zambada with Mexico's poor, following his guilty plea to drug trafficking and murder, which highlights ongoing cartel issues and U.S.-Mexico cooperation.
The Trump administration has sanctioned Mexican musician Ricardo Hernández, aka 'El Makabelico,' accusing him of laundering money for the Cartel del Noreste through concerts, with allegations that half of his streaming royalties benefit the cartel. This move is part of broader efforts to target artists linked to cartel themes and activities, amid ongoing concerns about the influence of narco culture in Mexican music and the risks faced by artists associated with criminal groups.
Ovidio Guzmán López, son of El Chapo, pleaded guilty to federal drug charges and involvement in violence, marking a significant development for the Sinaloa cartel amid ongoing conflicts and U.S.-Mexico tensions over drug trafficking, especially fentanyl.
The Jalisco New Generation cartel in Mexico has expanded its criminal activities to target seniors and their timeshares, running call centers that offer to buy retirees' vacation properties and then emptying their victims' bank accounts. The cartel's scheme has netted them hundreds of millions of dollars over the past decade, with employees posing as sales representatives and persuading victims to wire large amounts of money to Mexico. The cartel even bribes employees at Mexican resorts to obtain guest information. The scam represents the latest evolution of the cartel, which is entrenched in both illegal and legal sectors of the economy, and has resulted in the deaths of employees who worked at a call center owned by the cartel.
Three members of a drug cartel, including the "undisputed" ringleader Ridouan Taghi, have been sentenced to life in prison for their involvement in a series of gangland killings in the largest criminal trial in Dutch history. The trial, known as the "Marengo" case, involved 17 individuals and revealed the gang's use of sophisticated methods and corrupt officials. Taghi, a notorious fugitive, was found guilty of leading the criminal organization responsible for multiple assassinations and planned attacks. The trial also highlighted the murders of individuals close to a key witness, adding a "dark edge" to the proceedings.
Mexican authorities confirm the contents of a disturbing drug cartel video showing gunmen abusing and burning the bodies of their rivals in a wooded mountainside. The video depicts a confrontation between two criminal gangs, with at least 15 bodies visible before they are set alight. The gangs involved are believed to be the hyper violent Familia Michoacana cartel and a gang known as the Tlacos, both vying for control in the remote mountain towns of Guerrero. In a separate incident, bodies were found in shallow, clandestine burial pits in the neighboring state of Michoacán.
Mexican investigators have confirmed a gruesome video showing drug cartel gunmen abusing the corpses of their rivals, with at least 15 bodies seen in the footage but only five found at the scene. The video depicts gunmen shooting, kicking, and burning the bodies, with the dead wearing military-style clothing. The confrontation likely involved the Familia Michoacana and Tlacos gangs in Guerrero, where they have been fighting for control. In a separate incident, bodies were found in clandestine burial pits in Michoacan.
Netflix's new crime series "Griselda" tells the true story of Griselda Blanco, a Colombian businesswoman who built a lucrative cocaine empire in the US. The show explores her rise to power, involvement in multiple murders, and eventual arrest and imprisonment. The real-life Griselda Blanco was known for her ruthless tactics, including smuggling drugs in lingerie and orchestrating numerous killings. The series is based on the real events surrounding Griselda's life and criminal activities, shedding light on the shocking and violent nature of her drug cartel.
Netflix's new limited series "Griselda," starring Sofia Vergara as the infamous drug lord Griselda Blanco, offers a fictionalized account of Blanco's life, aiming to humanize her character in a male-dominated drug trade. The show's portrayal of events differs from historical accounts, prompting fact-checking of key plot points. The series has faced legal challenges from Blanco's family, who filed a lawsuit against Netflix and Vergara for unauthorized use of their family's image and likeness.
A bride in Mexico was arrested in her wedding dress for allegedly being involved in an extortion scheme with her fiancé and six others, who are suspected members of the drug cartel La Familia Michoacana. The couple was accused of extorting chicken merchants in Toluca near Mexico City and participating in kidnapping four people. The groom, known as "Mouse," escaped police capture and is wanted for murder, with a reward of 300,000 pesos (~$17,400) offered for information leading to his arrest. The arrest was part of a larger crackdown on extortion, with 593 people detained since the end of 2022 and 274 people convicted.