INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS REVIEW

Created: 8/1/1995

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

International Narcotics

Review

5

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International Narcotics Review j

5

T>alTktvlrs|c: Potential Impact of Cali Mafia Setbacks

Although we do not discount the continued viability of Colombiansustained disruptions to their operations arc likely to increase further opportunities for major Mexican traffickers to gain additional leverage in the cocaine trade. Major Mexican drug-trafficking organizations are well positioned to take advantage of the unr*ccedemed difficulties facing Colombia's drug mafia caused by the incarceration of six top Call drug lords and by sustained pressure on the Peru-to-Colombta cocaine airbridge. The partnership* that major Mexican traffickers have established with the Colombian drug mafia give them the networks and experience to become involved in all facets or the cocaine trade in Latin America. We believe leading Mexican groups will begin jockeying for position to gain greater

and realigning their

The Cali traffickers' need to adjust operations to take account of rheagainst them in Colombia could enhance the leverage of thedrugspecialize in moving drugs intoSlates in determining the terms and conditions of theirj

Peruvian- and *ioJiviar>produced cocaine

may become more attractive lo Mexican traffickers if the Cali drug mafia's troubles in Colombia disrupt cocaine shipments. Moreover. Peruviannetworks are likely to lake advantage of the situation to gain greater profits by increasing iheir own cocaine processing and by trying to make inroads at the Colombians' expense in Mexico.

In facilitating the transshipment of cocaine mrough Mexico, the largetrafficking organisations have developed sophisticated transportaiion infrastructures and methods, in exjunction with the Colombians, thai ihey can usecquiie cocaine from moreppljci The Mexicans'

IJKfP

experience in receiving multiion cocaine shipments from Colombia on long-range commercial cargo jets may give them the option to bypass Colombia and acquire cocaine directly from Peru or Bolivia. Because the larger Mexican trafficking organizations have greater experience and itsources lhan Peruvian and Bolivian traffickers, they arcetterio assume traditional Colombian roles and services and would probably become the dominant partner in any trafficking relationship.

This could entail Mexican developmentarge -scale cocaine processing industry in an effort to gain control over ihc cocaine trade. Domestic cocaine processing would allow Mexican trafhekers to circumvent further the Colombiuni and to increase their eonirol over the price and quality of cocaine, which could mean greater profits.roducer of marijuana, heroin, and metturnphetamine. Mexico has well-established narcotics network* that can be adapted to rxoduce large volumes of cocaine hydrochloride. Because coca is not grown in Mexico, Mexican tra'tickcrs would rely on cocaine base shipments from Peru and Bolivia.

A scramble by Mexican ttaffickersreater share of ihe cocaine trade is likely io resultexican drug trade that is even more consolidated in the hands of ihc largest organi/atiom:

Highlights

IjitinRecord Methaqualone Kcinure

In eariyexican official* seizedilo-gnuris of bull; methaqualonenethaquilonelargest methaqualone seizure in Mexican history. The dominant trafficker identified behind the shipment is Humbcrto Rodriguezop lieutenant in the Mexico-based Arellano Felix organization, which transports cocaine, mcthamphcuminc. and marijuana from Mexico into me United States Methaqualoneynthetic sedative hallucinogen thatigh potential (or abuse and no current accepted medical use. It washe United States under various brand names, such as Quaalude and Sopor.

Mandrax isEuiopean name lor rnoihaquslnne in comMfiatinn with an

antihistamine.

IN75

Original document.

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