SINALOA CARTEL

Factions include: Cártel de Sinaloa-Mayo Zambada (also known as Sinaloa Cartel-Mayo Zambada; CDS-MZ; La Mayiza; Los del Mayo; Los Mayitos), and Cártel de Sinaloa-Menores (also known as CDS-Menores, Sinaloa Cartel-Minors, Los Chapitos, Los Chapiza). Cártel de Sinaloa is one of the oldest criminal organizations in Mexico, and one of the most violent and prolific drug trafficking organizations in the world. Based in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, Cártel de Sinaloa operates in at least 47 countries around the world, including Canada. The cartel uses coercion, bribery, intimidation, and violence to expand its territory and establish political control in its areas of operation. Cártel de Sinaloa has links to multiple known terrorist entities, including the National Liberation Army (ELN), the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and Iran-backed Hezbollah. In March 2024, Cártel de Sinaloa, through one of its factions, took 66 people including 18 children, hostage in Mexico’s Culiacán municipality as retribution. As of 2021, Cártel de Sinaloa has used drones for deadly aerial attacks in Northern Mexico and surrounding areas.