How big are the cartels?

The group has expanded rapidly across Mexico and is now one of the country's most dominant organised crime groups. Its assets are thought to be worth more than $20bn (£15.5bn). The cartel is led by Ruben Oseguera, known as "El Mencho", a former police officer who is Mexico's most wanted man.

How big is Mexico's cartel?

In 2012 it was estimated that Mexican cartels employed over 450,000 people directly and a further 3.2 million people's livelihoods depended on various parts of the drug trade.

How many people are usually in a cartel?

This distribution was found to be bimodal, with many cartels breaking up quickly (less than a year), many others lasting between five and ten years, and still some that lasted decades. Within the industries that have operating cartels, the median number of cartel members is 8.

How big is the Sinaloa Cartel?

Estimates of its annual revenue ranged from $3 billion to $39 billion. While other organizations expanded into human trafficking and extortion, among other activities, the Sinaloa cartel remained largely centred on drugs.

Did El Chapo know Pablo Escobar?

In Rolling Stone, Penn recounted having this exchange with Guzman Penn: “Did you know Pablo Escobar? El Chapo: “Yes, I met him once at his house.

Inside Mexico's Most Powerful Drug Cartel | Foreign Correspondent

Who is the biggest drug lord 2021?

As of 2021, the Sinaloa Cartel remains Mexico's most dominant drug cartel. After the arrest of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, the cartel is now headed by Ismael Zambada García (aka El Mayo) and Guzmán's sons, Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, Ovidio Guzmán López and Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar.

Who's the biggest drug lord ever?

Singapore – Building on its growing slate of Asia Pacific Originals, Discovery today announced exclusive new special, The World's Biggest Druglord – Tse Chi Lop, documenting the rise and capture of a criminal mastermind and one of the world's most wanted fugitives for the very first time.

Can cartels be good?

The concept of a “good” or “efficient” cartel is generally regarded by competition authorities as an oxymoron. A cartel is seen as the worst type of antitrust violation and one that warrants zero tolerance.

What is the net worth of El Chapo?

His drug empire made Guzmán a billionaire, and he was ranked the 10th richest man in Mexico and 1,140th in the world in 2011, with a net worth of roughly US$1 billion. To assist his drug trafficking, the Sinaloa Cartel also built a shipping and transport empire.

Do cartels work together?

Oligopolistic firms join a cartel to increase their market power, and members work together to determine jointly the level of output that each member will produce and/or the price that each member will charge. By working together, the cartel members are able to behave like a monopolist.

Which cartel is most powerful?

It's the Sinaloa Cartel. An organisation that despite the arrests and murders of its main leaders, is still in force and is perhaps the most powerful criminal structure in the underworld.

Is Mexico safe to visit?

Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Both violent and non-violent crime are common throughout Mexico state. Use caution in areas outside of the frequented tourist areas, although petty crime occurs frequently in tourist areas as well. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

Why is Mexico so poor?

Causes of poverty. The reasons for poverty in Mexico are complex and widely extensive. There is an agreement that a combination of uneven distribution of wealth and resources sponsored by economic and political agendas to favor the rich and powerful is a major contributor to the millions left behind.

Is Colombia safe to visit?

Colombia - Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Reconsider travel due to crime and terrorism. Exercise increased caution due to civil unrest and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.

What is Cali cartel worth?

Whilst the Medellin Cartel was waging war against the Columbian government, the Cali Cartel was less-violent and focused on making money. During their height, it is believed that Gilberto and Miguel and a combined net worth of $3 billion dollars.

Who's the richest drug dealer in the world?

1. Pablo Escobar: $30 Billion – Topping the list of the richest drug lords. The notorious narcoterrorist and drug lord from Colombia was born Pablo Emilion Escobar Gaviria.

Where is Escobar's money?

A nephew of infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar has said he found a plastic bag with money worth $18m (£14m) hidden in the wall of one of his uncle's houses.

Who's running the Sinaloa Cartel?

Since the U.S. imprisonment of its most capable and notorious capo — Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera — the Sinaloa Cartel has been composed of four key factions led by: a) Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a brainy old-timer; b) Rafael Caro Quintero, one of the co-founders of the Guadalajara Cartel; c) El Chapo's brother, ...

Does Colombia still have cartels?

Since Thursday, cities, towns and villages across northern Colombia have been shut down by the feared Gulf Clan drug cartel, in retaliation for the extradition to the United States of its former leader, Dairo Antonio Úsuga, better known as Otoniel.

Where is Agent Pena now?

Following the investigation of the Medellín Cartel, Peña worked for the DEA with additional assignments in Puerto Rico, Texas and Colombia. Peña retired from the DEA in 2014. Kingsville, Texas, U.S.