Serious stuff!
Chinese criminal syndicates are also involved.
In 2025, Americans lost about $18 billion due to these scams.
Showing posts with label organized crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organized crime. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Cambodia and Global Scam Syndicates with Palki Sharma
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Saturday, September 05, 2026
Pentagon shot down About 100 Cartel Drones at southern Border in August using e.g. lasers
Concerning!
"... A senior Department of War (DOW) official confirmed the number to Fox News, marking the first time the Pentagon has said publicly just how often it is using anti-drone technology to knock cartel aircraft out of the sky. Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported the official’s account on X.
The tools being used include high-energy lasers. According to the official, the military coordinated every single takedown ahead of time with Mexican military and border authorities, so both sides knew what was happening along the border. ...
The tools being used include high-energy lasers. According to the official, the military coordinated every single takedown ahead of time with Mexican military and border authorities, so both sides knew what was happening along the border. ..."
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
America is back to blowing up narco boats
Controversial, but perhaps necessary! However, organized crime will surely find other routes!
"The U.S. military killed two suspected drug traffickers Sunday [8/23/2026] in a strike on a vessel operating in the Eastern Pacific, marking the latest use of deadly force against narcotics networks moving drugs toward the United States.
U.S. Southern Command announced the operation Monday, releasing video showing an explosive strike against what officials described as a low-profile vessel traveling along known drug-trafficking routes.
“Confirmed intelligence revealed the vessel’s active involvement in narco-trafficking,” the command said. “The operation killed two narco-terrorists.” ..."
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Meet Mexico’s secretary of security and citizen protection who is the counterpart for the US in fighting cross border crime
Good news!
"Omar García Harfuch has become Washington’s most important security counterpart in Mexico by doing the unglamorous thing: producing results.
For years, Washington has asked the same question about Mexico: Can we count on our southern neighbor as a serious security partner? Increasingly, the answer appears to be yes.
Much of the change runs through Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s secretary of security and citizen protection. Under President Claudia Sheinbaum, Harfuch has emerged as one of the most important officials in Mexico — and perhaps the Mexican official who matters most to American security. ..."
Omar García Harfuch (Source)
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Colombia formally joins President Trump’s war on the transnational drug cartels and illegal immigration
Good news!
It appears Canada has not yet joined the A3CC!
"Colombia has formally joined President Trump’s regional counter-cartel coalition, a major shift in U.S.-Colombian security cooperation that could clear the way for joint military operations against terrorist and drug-trafficking organizations inside the country.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Colombia’s entry into the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, also known as A3C or the Shield of the Americas initiative, during a two-day gathering of member countries in Panama.
Hegseth and newly installed Colombian Defense Minister Jorge Mora signed the agreement during the meeting, bringing Colombia into the 19-member coalition only days after conservative President Abelardo De la Espriella took office. ..."
"Launched in March by President Donald J. Trump, the coalition — sometimes called "Shield of the Americas" — is a U.S.-led multinational security and political alliance formed to combat transnational drug cartels, reduce illegal migration across the Western Hemisphere and limit foreign geopolitical interference. ..."
Hegseth Touts Americas Counter Cartel Coalition During Panama Visit "In Panama today, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told members of the recently established Americas Counter Cartel Coalition that the U.S. is firmly committed to working alongside them to dismantle dangerous transnational criminal drug cartels."
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno and Colombia's Minister of National Defense Jorge Mora pose with signed copies of an agreement bringing Colombia into the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition in Panama City, Aug. 12, 2026.
Map of the states that joined the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (Source)
Friday, August 14, 2026
US, Mexico join forces to TACKLE violent drug cartels
Good news! Homeland Security Sec. Markwayne Mullin also specifically mentions how illegal drugs get into Alaska.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
In a first, US will allow some private firms to carry out cyberattacks and disruptive operation against Transnational Criminal Organizations
Concerning! This could potentially have international ramifications! As a minimum these operations would have to be closely monitored and supervised.
"The U.S. government will for the first time allow vetted private companies to launch offensive cyber operations against international criminal gangs and hackers, the White House said on Wednesday.
In a newly published presidential memorandum, the Trump administration said the move will allow the federal government to use “innovative capabilities of the private sector” to combat cybercrime and threats targeting Americans, such as ransomware attacks, financial scams, and sextortion.
The memorandum allows private companies participating in the government’s program to conduct surveillance, like using spyware to collect intelligence, as well as make disruptive attacks aimed at the destruction of criminals’ data or systems.
The policy change marks a seismic shift in the U.S. government’s long-standing position under U.S. federal computer hacking laws, which broadly prohibit private companies from conducting cyberattacks or disruption operations without a court-authorized approval. ..."
Sunday, August 09, 2026
The U.S. pledged $1 billion in security aid to Colombia as the new President vowed to defeat narco-terrorism and guerilla
Good news!
"The U.S. pledged $1 billion in security aid to Colombia as new President Abelardo de la Espriella vowed to defeat narco-terrorism and abandon peace talks with guerrillas."
"The United States pledged $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia after its new right-wing [???] president took office.
Abelardo de la Espriella, a millionaire lawyer with a taste for spectacle [???], took office Friday for his four-year term after a campaign focused on anger and fears about security. ..."
Diego Cadena and Abelardo de la Espriella. Both lawyers of former President Álvaro Uribe. (Source)
Friday, August 07, 2026
Mexico Sends 1,500 Troops To Its Avocado Heartland After US Halts Imports
Very recommendable!
Incredible, organized crime in Mexico has also infiltrated the Avocado business of Mexico. Will the current President Sheinbaum do more to fight organized crime in Mexico?
U.S. Government Prioritizes Mexican Terrorist Cartel, Offers $100 Million in Rewards
Good news! Quite possibly a cheap and effective solution!
This should make some of the crime bosses at least a little bit nervous and more cautious! Will the be watching their backs more often now?
New Charges and Rewards Announced for the Capture and/or Conviction of Senior Leaders of Notorious Mexican Cartel (original news release) "More than $100 Million Offered for Information Leading to the Arrests and/or Convictions of Eight CJNG Fugitives"
Degrading CJNG: Announcing over $100 Million in Reward Offers and Visa Restrictions (original news release)
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Monday, July 13, 2026
The Chinese graduate accused of becoming Mexico's 'fentanyl king'
What a story!
Caveat: I did not read the whole long article.
"... On the outskirts of Sinaloa's state capital city, Culiacán, sitting in a parked car where no-one can overhear him, he explains how ingredients to make the deadly drug fentanyl are shipped thousands of miles from Chinese factories to laboratories in Mexico. Members of his cartel credit Brother Wang with establishing this supply chain.
Known in the criminal world as the "king of fentanyl", Brother Wang is a 39-year-old Chinese national, whose real name is Zhang Zhidong, according to the US Department of Justice. Arrested in Mexico in 2024, Zhang later made a dramatic escape before he was recaptured and extradited to the US in 2025. ...
When Zhang appeared in court in New York in 2025, the Deputy Attorney General at the time, Todd Blanche, described him as one of "the world's most dangerous traffickers".
He also accused him of "running a global enterprise that pumped massive quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine" into the US and laundering "millions in narcotics proceeds". ...
Zhang graduated from the prestigious Peking University in Beijing with a Spanish degree in 2010, and a year later travelled to Mexico to work for a Chinese-owned company that mined iron ore. He soon secured a senior role. ..."
Thursday, July 09, 2026
A list of US military strikes against alleged drug-carrying vessels since September 25, 2025 until now
Most news media don't seem to report anymore about this still ongoing US military campaign!
"As of June 22, the Trump administration and U.S. military have disclosed 66 strikes, killing at least 196 people. ...
June 2026
June 21: U.S. Southern Command announced a lethal kinetic strike against an alleged drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean, killing two and leaving six survivors. SOUTHCOM notified the U.S. Coast Guard, which conducted a search and rescue mission for the survivors. ..."
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Did El Mencho's Girlfriend Lead Mexico's Forces to Him? with Palki Sharma
Recommendable! Palki provides some historical background on organized crime in Mexico!
Mexico and the U.S. tracked a drug lord’s girlfriend to a secluded love nest before yesterday’s deadly raid, Mexican officials said
I am not sure this was a good idea to disclose this information about the girlfriend!
How much in danger is this woman now? Was she a police informant?
"Mexico and the U.S. tracked a drug lord’s girlfriend to a secluded love nest before yesterday’s deadly raid, Mexican officials said.
Security forces launched a massive operation to capture Mexico’s top drug lord, Nemesio “Mencho” Oseguera, the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Elite Mexican army and National Guard special-operations soldiers descended on a town where Oseguera remained holed up after his lover left, Mexico’s defense secretary said. The soldiers chased him and several bodyguards, surrounding them deep into nearby woods. A battle ensued, and eight people were killed, including Oseguera."
Security forces launched a massive operation to capture Mexico’s top drug lord, Nemesio “Mencho” Oseguera, the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Elite Mexican army and National Guard special-operations soldiers descended on a town where Oseguera remained holed up after his lover left, Mexico’s defense secretary said. The soldiers chased him and several bodyguards, surrounding them deep into nearby woods. A battle ensued, and eight people were killed, including Oseguera."
Monday, February 23, 2026
‘No US participation…' Mexico's President Sheinbaum drops bombshell on US’ role in military ops against Drug Lord
Not really! She admits information sharing! Then there was certainly the pressure by President Trump!
How is Mexico's most violent cartel so powerful?
Recommendable!
"The Sunday killing of Ruben Nemesio Oseguera, also known as “El Mencho,” represents the highest-profile target struck by Mexican authorities ever since the capture of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán in 2016 and Ismael Zambada "El Mayo" García in 2024.
Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was seen as one of the most powerful and violent drug lords in Mexico, with his group taking power when Guzman and Garcia were extradited to the US following their respective arrests. ...
After extensive fighting and chaos, the CJNG managed to gain control of several key states in central Mexico, while maintaining a presence in almost every other state in the country. ...
According to a Science magazine study, the CJNG had between 18,000 and 35,000 people under its control. ..."
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Mexico: US Provided Intel for Killing of Drug Boss
Good news! I was pretty sure this has happened!
Thus, it appears that President Trump and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum cooperate to eliminate or at least reduce organized crime in Mexico. See also my other, recent blog posts regarding this subject.
Donald Trump says ‘cartels are running Mexico' and warns action may be coming
Has President Trump provoked or triggered Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum to kill one of the drug lords and to fight back against violence incited by organized crime?
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