Sonora Cartel

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The Sonora Cartel, also called the Caro-Quintero Organization, is Mexico based polydrug cartel.[1][2][3]

Contents

[edit] Foundation

The Sonora Cartel is considered by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as one of the oldest and best-established cartels. The cartels roots are in the Guadalajara Cartel, which dissolved after the arrest of its co-founder in 1989, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo. It is believed its leaders split into multiple drug cartels, the Sonora Cartel, Tijuana Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel.[2]

The Sonora Cartel is lead by Miguel Caro-Quintero, brother to Guadalajara Cartel co-founder, Rafael Caro-Quintero. Rafael Caro-Quintero was arrested in Costa Rica in 1985 in connection with the torture and death of DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena Salazar.[1] Miguel Caro-Quintero would eventually be arrest in 1989, however it is believed he still maintains control over the organization from behind bars.[1][4]

[edit] Operations

The Sonora Cartel is believed to be one of the earliest cartels to begin shipping cocaine from Colombia, particularly from the Cali Cartel. The cartel is involved in the cultivation and distribution of marijuana primarily, however secondary functions include the transportation and distribution of methamphetamine.[1][2][3]

Operating out of northern central Mexico, the cartel is believed to smuggle drugs into Arizona, Texas and California, from a network of ranches along the northern border region where the drugs are stored prior to shipment. The Sonora Cartel has been specifically linked to operating out of Hermosillo, Agua Prieta, Guadalajara, Culiacán, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa and Sonora.[2][5]

[edit] Miguel Caro-Quintero

Main article: Miguel Caro-Quintero

Miguel Caro-Quintero was born in Caborca, Sonora, Mexico in 1963. Previously arrested in 1992 on charges of tax evasion, he was found not guilty, which the DEA attributes to the use of threats and bribes by Caro-Quintero. While imprisoned, it is believed Caro-Quintero is still running the Sonora Cartel, where he is being held on charges of racketeering, drug smuggling and money laundering. Caro-Quintero was arrested in December 2001 in Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Prior to his arrest he has repeatedly stated he is innocent of the charges and has accused the DEA of pursuing a vendetta against him for his brother, Rafael Caro-Quintero's, alleged role in the death of DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. Miguel Caro-Quintero is noted as having called into a radio station to profess his innocence, stating: "If I had a cartel, I'd have a lot of money and my brother wouldn't be there (in jail)" and claiming to be an innocent rancher. He further stated he does not believe his brother was involved in the killing of the DEA agent.[2][3]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Richards, James R. (1998). Transnational Criminal Organizations, Cybercrime, and Money Laundering. CRC Press, 320. ISBN 0849328063. 
  2. ^ a b c d e (1999) in Jesse Helms: Mexican and American Responses to the International Narcotics Threat. U.S. Senate, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, Narcotics and Terrorism of the Committee on Foreign Relations, 61,136,137. ISBN 0788180088. 
  3. ^ a b c Weiner, Tim. "Suspect in Vast Drug Ring Held in Mexico; May Be Sent to U.S.", New York Times, December 22, 2001. Retrieved on 2008-04-14. 
  4. ^ Liddick, Donald R. (2004). The Global Underworld: Transnational Crime and the United States. Greenwood Publishing Group, 33. ISBN 027598074X. 
  5. ^ DEA - Publications - Congressional Testimony - 09/12/96. United States Drug Enforcement Administration (September 12, 1996). Retrieved on 2008-04-14.