Sonora Cartel

The Sonora Cartel, also called the Caro-Quintero Organization, is a Mexico based polydrug cartel.cite book|last=Richards|first=James R.|title=Transnational Criminal Organizations, Cybercrime, and Money Laundering|publisher=CRC Press|date=1998|pages=320|isbn=0849328063] cite book|title=Mexican and American Responses to the International Narcotics Threat|editor=Jesse Helms|publisher=U.S. Senate, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, Narcotics and Terrorism of the Committee on Foreign Relations|date=1999|isbn=0788180088|pages=61,136,137] cite news|title=Suspect in Vast Drug Ring Held in Mexico; May Be Sent to U.S.|last=Weiner|first=Tim|date=December 22, 2001|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=2008-04-14]

Foundation

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

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. Miguel Caro-Quintero would eventually be arrested in 1989, however it is believed he still maintains control over the organization from behind bars. [cite book|last=Liddick|first=Donald R.|title=The Global Underworld: Transnational Crime and the United States|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|date=2004|pages=33|isbn=027598074X]

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.

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, Durango, Sinaloa and Sonora. [cite web|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/cngrtest/ct960912.htm|title=DEA - Publications - Congressional Testimony - 09/12/96|date=September 12, 1996|publisher=United States Drug Enforcement Administration|accessdate=2008-04-14]

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.

ee also

*Drug Enforcement Agency
*Guadalajara Cartel
*Mexico-US border

References