Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DEA
Intelligence
Report
(U) This product was prepared by the DEA Strategic Intelligence Section. Comments and
questions may be addressed to the Chief, Analysis and Production Section at
dea.onsi@usdoj.gov .
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
(U) Overview
(U) The attached graphic provides an update to the Drug Enforcement Administrations (DEA) assessment of
the areas of dominant control for the major drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) operating in Mexico based on a
comprehensive review of current DEA reporting, input from DEA offices in Mexico and open source information
(see Figure 1).
(U) DEA continues to identify eight major cartels currently operating in Mexico: Sinaloa, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva
Generacion (New Generation Jalisco Cartel or CJNG), Beltran-Leyva Organization (BLO), Los Zetas, Gulf,
Juarez/La Linea, La Familia Michoacana (LFM), and Los Caballeros Templarios (Knights Templar or LCT);
however, leadership losses for LFM and LCT over the last year have significantly degraded their operational
capabilities and organizational cohesion. The attached graphic illustrates fluctuations in the areas of dominant
control for Mexicos major DTOs, most notably the significant expansion of CJNG.
(U) After splintering from the Sinaloa Cartel in 2010, the CJNG has become the fastest growing DTO in Mexico.
From its stronghold in Jalisco, Mexico, the organizations influence extends to Nayarit, Colima, Guerrero,
Veracruz, Michoacn, and other Mexican states. DEA reporting indicates the organization has recently expanded
its dominion to the Mexican States of Guanajuato and San Luis Potosi, in addition to an increased presence
along the southern Mexican coast States of Oaxaca and Chiapas.
(U) The CJNG uses its alliances and exploits weaknesses of rival cartels to take over new territories or increase
its presence in areas already under CJNG control. The disintegration of the LCT in 2015, paved the way for the
CJNG to flourish and expand its territorial presence in Michoacn. The internal power struggles and disarray
suffered by the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas are also likely contributing to the CJNG expansion. With additional
territory and reach, the CJNG is in a prime position to increase its drug trafficking operations, wealth, and
influence in Mexico.
San Diego
Tijuana
El Paso
Nogales
United States
Cd Juarez
Nogales
BAJA
CALIFORNIA
V Ahumada
Caborca
SONORA
CHIHUAHUA
Hermosillo
lf o
Gu
Cd Chihuahua
fC
Piedras Negras
Cd Obregn/
Navajoa
nia
for
ali
BAJA
CALIFORNIA
SUR
Cuauhtemoc
Los Mochis
Gusave
Torren
DURANGO
Culiacn
Cd Victoria
ZACATECAS
Mazatln
Valparaiso
NAYARIT
Zacatecas
Altimara
Guadalupe
QUE.
Guadalajara
JALISCO
Valle de
Bravo
COLIMA
Sinaloa Cartel
Juarez Cartel
Gulf Cartel
Beltran-Leyva
Organization
La Familia
Michoacana
Los Caballeros
No Dominant
Templarios
Cartel Presence
Cartel Jalisco
Nueva Generacion
*Spheres indicate significant
or increasing presence
Toluca
Merida
YUCATN
Playa Del
Carmen
QUINTANA
ROO
Veracruz
TLA.
Cd Del Carmen
Puebla City
MOR. PUEBLA
GUERRERO
Lzaro Crdenas
Zihuatanejo
Cancn
Distrito Federal
(Mexico City)
HIDALGO
MEXICO
MICHOACN
Manzanillo
Mexican Cartels
Tampico
GUANAJUATO
Tepic
AGUAS
CALIENTES
Gulf of Mexico
TAMAULIPAS
Fresnillo
Pacific
Ocean
Matamoros
San Fernando
S Papasquiaro
Cd Durango
Reynosa
Monterrey
La Paz
Los Zetas
Miguel
Alemn
NUEVO
LEN
SINALOA
Laredo
Nuevo
Laredo
COAHUILA
Chilpancingo
VERACRUZ
OAXACA
Oaxaca City
Chetumal
CAMPECHE
TABASCO
Belize
Tenosique
CHIAPAS
Acapulco
Guatemala
Huatulco
Tapachula
UNCLASSIFIED
Honduras
El Salvador