The Mexican Mafia and Cartel: A Tale of Drug Trafficking, Violence and Power
The drug trafficking industry in Mexico has been a prime focus of the world’s attention for many years. With countless illegal activities prospering in the country, it’s no surprise that various groups have come to dominate this business. Among the most influential of these organizations are the Mexican Mafia and the Cartel.
The Mexican Mafia, also known as “La Eme”, is a highly reputed prison gang that operates primarily in California. The group operates as an organized crime syndicate, with members carrying out various activities, from drug trafficking to murder. They’re one of the most influential prison gangs in the world, with an estimated membership of over 1500 inmates who operate both inside and outside of prisons. Their main income source is drug trafficking, specifically methamphetamine, as well as protection rackets, extortion, and human smuggling.
The Mexican Cartel, on the other hand, is a federation of various criminal groups that have come together to control the country’s drug trafficking industry. These organizations include the Sinaloa Cartel, Beltran Leyva Organization, Gulf Cartel, La Familia Michoacana, and others. The Cartel has managed to establish a profitable and far-reaching drug distribution network. The cartels are known to be highly violent, and their activities have contributed to the high number of homicides and drug-related violence in the country. They control a large part of the illegal drug market in the United States.
So, how do these two criminal groups compare when it comes to drug trafficking, violence, and power? Let’s take a closer look.
Drug Trafficking
There is no doubt that drug trafficking is the primary source of income for both groups. However, while the Mexican Mafia focuses primarily on methamphetamine, the Cartel deals in a variety of drugs, including cocaine, marijuana, and heroin. The Cartel controls the production and export of these drugs from Mexico, with cocaine being brought in from Colombia.
The Mexican Mafia, on the other hand, is heavily involved in the production and distribution of methamphetamine in California. They’re also known to have connections with Mexican drug cartels, helping them import meth into the United States.
Violence
Both the Mexican Mafia and Cartel are extraordinarily violent. However, the Cartel is considered to be one of the most violent criminal organizations globally, responsible for the deaths of thousands of people.
The Mexican Mafia is known for carrying out brutal attacks within the prison system, with most of their activities taking place within the United States. They operate through a set of strict rules and regulations, with loyalty and respect being the key features of their organization.
The Cartel, on the other hand, has no qualms about using extreme violence to maintain its dominance in the drug trade. They carry out kidnappings, executions, and massacres to control the drug trade and intimidate their rivals. In recent years, their activities have led to a rise in homicides and other violent crimes in Mexico.
Power
Both groups have a significant amount of power within the drug trade industry in their respective areas. However, while the Mexican Mafia operates mainly within the United States, the Cartel controls a vast network of operations in both Mexico and the US. The Cartel has vast amounts of wealth, with some estimates suggesting that they bring in billions of dollars yearly.
The Mexican Mafia, on the other hand, has a more limited sphere of influence. The group consists mainly of prison inmates, which restricts their activities to some extent.
Conclusion
Both the Mexican Mafia and Cartel are dominant criminal organizations in the drug trade industry. The Cartel’s influence is more significant, thanks to the vast network of criminal organizations that fall under its umbrella. However, the Mexican Mafia has a reputation for violence within the prison system and is heavily involved in drug trafficking activities within the US. Both groups are violent, dangerous, and profit massively from illegal drug trafficking.
In conclusion, the drug trade industry is a multi-billion dollar business that continues to thrive in Mexico. The Mexican Mafia and Cartel are just two of the many criminal organizations that have come to dominate this industry. Despite the efforts of Mexican law enforcement, corruption and violence continue to plague the country. It’s essential to continue to monitor and suppress the activities of these criminal organizations to reduce drug-related violence and deaths in Mexico and beyond.
Keywords: Mexican Mafia, Cartel, Drug Trafficking, Violence, Power, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Marijuana, Heroin, Homicides, Criminal Organizations, Multi-Billion Dollar Business, Mexico, Law Enforcement, Corruption.