Anne Milgram, the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has stated that the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels have an extensive network of affiliated groups in the United States involved in drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl. Milgram made this assertion in the DEA’s National Drug Threat Assessment report, which was released on May 9.
"[The Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels] operate clandestine labs in Mexico where they manufacture these drugs, and then utilize their vast distribution networks to transport the drugs into the United States," said Milgram, according to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). "They rely on associates in the United States to distribute the drugs at a retail level on the streets and on social media."
According to the National Drug Threat Assessment, both the Jalisco and Sinaloa cartels operate a network of cartel-affiliated street-level drug gangs throughout the United States. The report describes "a web of illicit drug wholesalers, only one step removed from the cartels in Mexico, [operating] in major cities throughout the United States, like Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, and others." This was confirmed by the DEA's Operation Last Mile which revealed that both cartels use local U.S. street gangs to further disseminate drugs and violence.
The report also states that these rival cartels are active in over 40 countries and traffic other drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and marijuana. They are also implicated in other criminal activities such as extortion. Operating massive global supply chains for importing chemicals to produce drugs and exporting them worldwide is another aspect of their operations. In the U.S., these two organizations have essentially monopolized all competition in the drug trade with a presence in every state. The report goes on to say that "the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels have caused the worst drug crisis in U.S. history."
One significant aspect of these cartels' reach into U.S. communities is their social media presence as highlighted by the report. These drug trafficking organizations utilize social media platforms to advertise and sell drugs often using cryptic text to conduct transactions. Furthermore, they use social media to recruit new members.
As per information available on DEA's website, Milgram assumed office as Administrator on June 28, 2021, following her confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Prior to joining the DEA, Milgram served as the attorney general for New Jersey and was a Professor of Practice and Distinguished Scholar in Residence at New York University School of Law.
