The United States has designated Mexico’s Juarez Cartel and Los Alegres group as foreign terrorist organizations, marking a major escalation in Washington’s fight against drug cartels. The US State Department said the groups were involved in attacks affecting American citizens and interests, including a 2019 attack that killed nine members of the Mormon community in Mexico.

US designates Mexican cartels as terror groups in major drug war escalation

At the height of its power in the 1980s, the Medellín Cartel, led by Pablo Escobar, was one of the most powerful criminal organisations the world had ever seen, generating tens of billions of dollars annually from the cocaine trade.

At the height of its power in the 1980s, the Medellín Cartel, led by Pablo Escobar, was one of the most powerful criminal organisations the world had ever seen, generating tens of billions of dollars annually from the cocaine trade.

The 'Medellín Cartel' was once richer than Colombia’s government! Here’s how

Cartels don’t just rely on hidden jungle airstrips or border tunnels anymore. To outsmart law enforcement, they exploit everyday transportation systems like private jets, luxury cruise liners, and even city taxis.

Cartels don’t just rely on hidden jungle airstrips or border tunnels anymore. To outsmart law enforcement, they exploit everyday transportation systems like private jets, luxury cruise liners, and even city taxis.

How cartels use jets, cruise ships and taxis to move drugs across borders

While cartels across the globe rely on violence and secrecy, their most crucial ally remains familiarly hidden: the banking system. This investigation spotlights five financial institutions that were once conduits for cartel finances.

While cartels across the globe rely on violence and secrecy, their most crucial ally remains familiarly hidden: the banking system. This investigation spotlights five financial institutions that were once conduits for cartel finances.

5 banks caught moving cartel cash and how they got away