In a stark revelation, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) underscores the rapid proliferation of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) across the American Union, as outlined in its 2024 National Drug Assessment. The report unveils a concerning trend wherein the CJNG, in just over a decade since its inception, has entrenched its presence throughout the United States, echoing its expansive reach beyond Mexico’s borders.
Arising from the remnants of the Milenio Cartel, originally affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel circa 2011, the CJNG has swiftly ascended to independence, evolving into one of Mexico’s most formidable criminal entities. According to the DEA, the cartel now operates in all 50 states of the United States, signaling a concerning escalation of its influence within American territory.
The agency’s report underscores the CJNG’s formidable stature, labeling it as “one of the most powerful and ruthless criminal organizations in Mexico.” The cartel’s activities, primarily drug trafficking, have been implicated in the deaths of thousands of Americans ensnared in the web of narcotics they dispense.
Remarkably, the CJNG’s global footprint extends beyond the Americas, with operations spanning over 40 countries across South America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Notably, the cartel has swiftly carved a niche in lucrative European markets, with Spain emerging as a pivotal hub for its distribution activities since early 2023.
DEA officials emphasize the CJNG’s adeptness in swiftly infiltrating and dominating novel markets, facilitated by its adoption of a “franchise” model. This organizational structure enables the cartel to exert control through localized cells while remaining agile in adapting to evolving market dynamics.
Crucially, the report underscores the CJNG’s stranglehold over key maritime entry points, notably Lázaro Cárdenas in Michoacán, Manzanillo in Colima, and Matamoros in Tamaulipas. These strategic locations serve as conduits for the cartel’s global drug trafficking operations, facilitating the seamless dissemination of illicit substances worldwide.
Within Mexico, the CJNG’s dominance persists through a web of corruption, characterized by bribes and coercion targeting officials, military personnel, and law enforcement agencies across all echelons. The cartel operates with relative impunity in certain regions, leveraging its financial resources to subvert the justice system and perpetuate its criminal enterprises.
As the DEA’s report unveils the alarming extent of the CJNG’s expansion, it underscores the imperative for concerted international efforts to counteract the proliferation of transnational criminal organizations. With the cartel’s tentacles extending deep into American soil, the battle against drug trafficking assumes heightened urgency, necessitating collaborative strategies to safeguard communities from the scourge of organized crime.
In a stark revelation, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) underscores the rapid proliferation of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) across the American Union, as outlined in its 2024 National Drug Assessment. The report unveils a concerning trend wherein the CJNG, in just over a decade since its inception, has entrenched its presence throughout the United States, echoing its expansive reach beyond Mexico's borders.
