UNCLASSIFIED

DEA
Intelligence
Report

(U) Mexico: Updated Assessment

of the Major Drug Trafficking
Organizations Areas of
Dominant Control
DEA-DCT-DIR-064-15
JULY 2015

(U) This product was prepared by the DEA Strategic Intelligence Section. Comments and
questions may be addressed to the Chief, Analysis and Production Section at
dea.onsi@usdoj.gov .

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

(U) Overview

(U) The attached graphic provides an update to the Drug Enforcement Administrations (DEA) assessment of
the areas of dominant control for the major drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) operating in Mexico based on a
comprehensive review of current DEA reporting, input from DEA offices in Mexico and open source information
(see Figure 1).
(U) DEA continues to identify eight major cartels currently operating in Mexico: Sinaloa, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva
Generacion (New Generation Jalisco Cartel or CJNG), Beltran-Leyva Organization (BLO), Los Zetas, Gulf,
Juarez/La Linea, La Familia Michoacana (LFM), and Los Caballeros Templarios (Knights Templar or LCT);
however, leadership losses for LFM and LCT over the last year have significantly degraded their operational
capabilities and organizational cohesion. The attached graphic illustrates fluctuations in the areas of dominant
control for Mexicos major DTOs, most notably the significant expansion of CJNG.
(U) After splintering from the Sinaloa Cartel in 2010, the CJNG has become the fastest growing DTO in Mexico.
From its stronghold in Jalisco, Mexico, the organizations influence extends to Nayarit, Colima, Guerrero,
Veracruz, Michoacn, and other Mexican states. DEA reporting indicates the organization has recently expanded
its dominion to the Mexican States of Guanajuato and San Luis Potosi, in addition to an increased presence
along the southern Mexican coast States of Oaxaca and Chiapas.
(U) The CJNG uses its alliances and exploits weaknesses of rival cartels to take over new territories or increase
its presence in areas already under CJNG control. The disintegration of the LCT in 2015, paved the way for the
CJNG to flourish and expand its territorial presence in Michoacn. The internal power struggles and disarray
suffered by the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas are also likely contributing to the CJNG expansion. With additional
territory and reach, the CJNG is in a prime position to increase its drug trafficking operations, wealth, and
influence in Mexico.

(U) Figure 1: Mexican Cartels

San Diego

Areas of Dominant Influence

Tijuana

El Paso

Nogales

United States

Cd Juarez

Nogales

BAJA
CALIFORNIA

V Ahumada

Caborca

SONORA
CHIHUAHUA

Hermosillo

lf o
Gu

Cd Chihuahua

fC

Piedras Negras

Cd Obregn/
Navajoa

nia
for
ali

BAJA
CALIFORNIA
SUR

Cuauhtemoc

Los Mochis

Gusave

Torren

DURANGO
Culiacn

Cd Victoria

ZACATECAS

Mazatln

Valparaiso

NAYARIT

Zacatecas

Altimara

Guadalupe

SAN LUIS POTOS

QUE.

Guadalajara

JALISCO
Valle de
Bravo

COLIMA

Sinaloa Cartel

Juarez Cartel

Gulf Cartel

Beltran-Leyva
Organization
La Familia
Michoacana

Los Caballeros
No Dominant
Templarios
Cartel Presence
Cartel Jalisco
Nueva Generacion
*Spheres indicate significant
or increasing presence

Toluca

Merida

YUCATN

Playa Del
Carmen

QUINTANA
ROO
Veracruz

TLA.

Cd Del Carmen

Puebla City

MOR. PUEBLA

GUERRERO

Lzaro Crdenas
Zihuatanejo

Cancn

Distrito Federal
(Mexico City)

HIDALGO

MEXICO

MICHOACN
Manzanillo

Mexican Cartels

Tampico

GUANAJUATO

Tepic

AGUAS
CALIENTES

Gulf of Mexico

TAMAULIPAS

Fresnillo

Cabo San Lucas

Pacific
Ocean

Matamoros
San Fernando

S Papasquiaro

Cd Durango

Reynosa

Monterrey

La Paz

Los Zetas

Miguel
Alemn

NUEVO
LEN

SINALOA

(U) This map represents areas of dominant

Mexican cartel presence. It is subject to change
given the fluid nature of Mexican DTOs.

Laredo

Nuevo
Laredo

COAHUILA

Chilpancingo

VERACRUZ
OAXACA
Oaxaca City

Chetumal

CAMPECHE

TABASCO

Belize

Tenosique

CHIAPAS

Acapulco

Guatemala

Huatulco
Tapachula

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Current as of April 2015
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

Honduras
El Salvador