A drug cartel is a criminal organization composed of independent drug lords who collude with each other in order to improve their profits and dominate the illegal drug trade. Drug cartels form with the purpose of controlling the supply of the illegal drug trade and maintaining prices at a high level. The formations of drug cartels are common in Latin American countries. Rivalries between multiple drug cartels cause them to wage turf wars against each other.
The basic structure of a drug cartel is as follows:
Falcons: Considered as the "eyes and ears" of the streets, the "falcons" are the lowest rank in any drug cartel. They are scouts, who are responsible for conducting reconnaissance, such as reporting the activities of the police, the military and rival groups.[1]
Hitmen: The armed group within the drug cartel, responsible for carrying out assassinations, kidnappings, thefts and extortions, operating protection rackets, as well as defending their plaza (turf) from rival groups and the military.[2][3]
Lieutenants: The second highest position in the drug cartel organization, responsible for supervising the hitmen and falcons within their own territory. They are allowed to carry out low-profile murders without permission from their bosses.[4]
Drug lords: The highest position in any drug cartel, responsible for supervising the entire drug industry, appointing territorial leaders, making alliances, in addition to planning high-profile murders.[5]
There are other operating groups within the drug cartels. For example, the drug producers and suppliers,[6] although not considered in the basic structure, are critical operators of any drug cartel, along with the smugglers, distributors, sales representatives, accountants and money launderers.[7][8][9] Furthermore, the arms suppliers operate in a completely different circle;[10] they are technically not considered part of the cartel's logistics.
^"Va Marina por 'halcones del crimen organizado". Blog del Narco. 21 April 2011. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011.
^Bowden, Charles (Feb 6, 2011). "El sicario, un documental proscrito en México (1)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2016-04-11.
^Bowden, Charles F; axellmx1 (Feb 6, 2011). "El sicario, un documental proscrito en México (2)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2016-06-30.
^"Ejército detiene a lugarteniente del cártel del Golfo". El Universal. 2 June 2009. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012.
^"DATOS — Principales capos de la droga en México". International Business Times. November 6, 2010. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
^"Uncovering the link between the Mexican drug cartels" (PDF). National Defense University: Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-15.
^Moreno, Tania M. (8 June 2010). "Las 5 caras del lavado de dinero". CNNExpansión. Archived from the original on Mar 3, 2016.
^"Cae 'El Adal' operador financiero de los Zetas". TV Milenio. Archived from the original on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
^"Cae 'El Míchel' operador financiero de Los Zetas en Aguascalientes". Tele Diario. Archived from the original on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
^"Entrevista a el Mamito, presunto fundador de los Zetas". CNN Videos. Jul 6, 2011. Archived from the original on 2016-05-29.
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