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(U) Mexico: Updated Assessment of the Major Drug Trafficking Organizations Areas of Dominant Control

DEA Intelligence

ReportDEA-DCT-DIR-064-15JULY 2015

(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 .

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(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.

(U) Figure 1: Mexican Cartels(U) Figure 1: Mexican CartelsAreas of Dominant InfluenceAreas of Dominant Influence

PacificOcean

Gulf of MexicoGulf of California

(U) This map represents areas of dominantMexican cartel presence. It is subject to change

given the fluid nature of Mexican DTOs.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)Current as of April 2015

San Diego

NogalesEl Paso

Laredo

Tijuana

Nogales

Hermosillo

Cd Juarez

V Ahumada

Cd Chihuahua

CuauhtemocPiedras Negras

TorrenMonterrey

MiguelAlemn

MatamorosReynosa

San Fernando

Cd Victoria

S Papasquiaro

Cd Durango

Culiacn

GusaveLos Mochis

Cd Obregn/Navajoa

Tepic

Fresnillo

Valparaiso ZacatecasGuadalupe Altimara

Tampico

Guadalajara

Manzanillo

Lzaro CrdenasZihuatanejo

Acapulco

Chilpancingo

Toluca Puebla City

Veracruz

Huatulco

Oaxaca City

Tapachula

Tenosique

Cd Del Carmen

Merida

Cancn

Playa DelCarmen

Chetumal

SONORA

BAJACALIFORNIA

BAJACALIFORNIA

SUR

CHIHUAHUA

COAHUILA

DURANGO

SINALOANUEVOLEN

TAMAULIPAS

ZACATECAS

SAN LUIS POTOS

JALISCO

COLIMA

MICHOACN

GUANAJUATO

QUE.

MEXICO

HIDALGO

TLA.

MOR.

GUERRERO

PUEBLA

OAXACA

VERACRUZ

CHIAPAS

TABASCO

CAMPECHE

YUCATN

QUINTANAROO

NAYARIT

United States

Guatemala

Belize

El Salvador

Honduras

Distrito Federal(Mexico City)

AGUASCALIENTES

Sinaloa Cartel

Gulf Cartel

Los CaballerosTemplariosCartel JaliscoNueva Generacion

Los Zetas

Juarez Cartel

Beltran-LeyvaOrganizationLa FamiliaMichoacanaNo DominantCartel Presence

Mexican Cartels

*Spheres indicate significantor increasing presence

NuevoLaredo

Mazatln

Caborca

Cabo San Lucas

La Paz

Valle deBravo

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