Mexican drug cartels in New Zealand: The NZ Drug Problem is About to Explode
The presence of Mexican drug cartels in New Zealand has become a significant concern in recent years, with the Sinaloa cartel and CNJG (also known as the Jalisco New Generation cartel) being two of the major players in the illicit drug trade in the country. These organizations have been involved in the distribution of a range of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, cannabis, and cocaine, and their activities have the potential to cause significant harm to New Zealand communities. The involvement of Mexican drug cartels in the illicit drug trade in New Zealand can have significant negative consequences for communities in the country, including the potential for violence and the flow of illicit drugs into the country. We will examine the history and operations of the Sinaloa cartel and CNJG, as well as the impact of their activities on New Zealand and the actions that NZ police should take to combat their presence in the country. By looking at what these cartels have done inside of the United States and reviewing what law enforcement has done right (and wrong) in the United States regarding cartel crime, we can see what the future holds for New Zealand.
The Sinaloa cartel in New Zealand:
The Sinaloa cartel is one of the most well-known and powerful criminal organizations in Mexico, with a history dating back to the 1980s. It is known for its involvement in the production and distribution of a wide range of illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and cannabis. The Sinaloa cartel is often referred to as the “mother of all cartels” because of its size, influence, and reach. It is believed to operate in over 50 countries around the world, and its operations have been linked to significant violence and corruption in Mexico and beyond.
In recent years, the Sinaloa cartel has been expanding its operations into other countries, including New Zealand, where it has been involved in the distribution of methamphetamine and other drugs. The Sinaloa cartel has established a significant presence in New Zealand because of its extensive networks and connections, as well as its ability to adapt to changing market conditions. It is believed to be the primary supplier of methamphetamine in the country, and its operations have been linked to significant seizures of the drug by law enforcement agencies.
The CNJG in New Zealand:
The CNJG is a relatively newer cartel that was formed in 2010, but it has quickly become one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico. It is known for its involvement in the production and distribution of methamphetamine, as well as other illicit drugs. The CNJG has been responsible for significant violence and disruption in Mexico, and it has been linked to many high-profile attacks on law enforcement and military personnel. Like the Sinaloa cartel, the CNJG has been expanding its operations into other countries, including New Zealand, where it has been involved in the distribution of methamphetamine and other drugs.
The presence of Mexican drug cartels in New Zealand
There have been instances of violence and other criminal activity associated with the activities of these cartels in New Zealand. For example, there have been reports of intimidation and threats against individuals who are believed to be involved in the drug trade, as well as violence against law enforcement and other authorities. These actions are often intended to protect the interests of the cartels and to deter interference with their operations.
In the United States, we have seen a massive increase in kidnappings, armed assaults and murders that involve the cartels. Even in the marijuana trade, which is often regarded as non-violent by the uninformed community, we have seen murders and shootings in marijuana grows in California. I have handled shootings in marijuana grows that are cartel connected and involve cartel members.
A Fentanyl Crisis May Be on the Horizon for New Zealand
It is difficult to predict with certainty what the future will hold in terms of the involvement of Mexican drug cartels in the illicit drug trade in New Zealand. However, it is possible that these organizations may seek to expand their operations in the country, potentially including the distribution of drugs like fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that has been linked to a significant number of overdose deaths in countries around the world, including the United States. It is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin and methamphetamine, and is highly potent, making it easy to overdose on. In the United States, Mexican drug cartels have been involved in the production and distribution of fentanyl, and the drug has contributed to a significant increase in overdose deaths in the country.
It is possible that Mexican drug cartels may seek to expand their operations in New Zealand and other countries, including by distributing drugs like fentanyl. This could be motivated by a desire to increase profits, as well as by a desire to create a lifelong customer base by selling highly addictive drugs. If these organizations are successful in establishing a significant presence in the illicit drug trade in New Zealand, it is possible that they could contribute to an increase in overdose deaths and other negative consequences associated with drug use in the country.
To reduce the risk of these negative outcomes, it will be important for law enforcement and other agencies to work to disrupt the activities of Mexican drug cartels in New Zealand and to focus on reducing the availability of drugs like fentanyl in the country.
Community and Law Enforcement Response to Mexican Drug Cartels in New Zealand
To combat cartels in New Zealand, NZ police should focus on disrupting the organization’s networks and connections, as well as intercepting drug shipments and making arrests of individuals involved in drug trafficking. This could include efforts to gather intelligence on the organization’s operations, using undercover operations to infiltrate the organization, and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to gather information and coordinate efforts to disrupt the Sinaloa cartel’s activities in New Zealand.
Being soft on drug crime, as California, Oregon and Washington have been doing, can have serious consequences for New Zealand. When drug crime is not taken seriously and is not aggressively prosecuted, it can send a message to drug cartels and other criminal organizations that they can operate with impunity. This can embolden these organizations and encourage them to expand their operations, as they know they are unlikely to face significant consequences for their actions. This can strengthen the drug cartels’ grip on New Zealand, as they can operate more freely and with less fear of being caught and punished. To effectively combat drug cartels in New Zealand, it is important for law enforcement to take a strong and proactive approach to drug crime, including aggressively pursuing and prosecuting those involved in drug trafficking and working to disrupt and dismantle the networks and connections of these organizations. Only by taking a strong stand against drug crime can we hope to weaken the grip of drug cartels in our communities and reduce the negative effects of drug use on individuals and society.
Asset Seizure
In recent years, law enforcement in New Zealand have been working to combat the presence of Mexican drug cartels in the country, including through efforts to disrupt the networks and connections of these organizations, intercept drug shipments, and make arrests of individuals involved in drug trafficking. In addition to these traditional law enforcement techniques, the police in New Zealand are also starting to focus on targeting the proceeds of gang crime as a way to disrupt the operations of these organizations. This includes efforts to seize assets and financial resources that have been acquired through illegal activities, such as drug trafficking. While these efforts are still in the early stages, the police in New Zealand have reported some initial successes in this area. To effectively address the issue of Mexican drug cartels in New Zealand, it will be important for law enforcement and other agencies to continue to pursue a variety of strategies, including efforts to target the proceeds of gang crime.
Addressing Mexican drug cartels in New Zealand is an important and ongoing challenge that requires the efforts of law enforcement, community organizations, and individual citizens. By working together to combat these organizations in New Zealand’s illicit drug trade, you can help to reduce the negative effects of drug use on individuals and society and create safer, healthier New Zealand.