MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – A recent audit by the U.S. Justice Department has unveiled a chilling strategy employed by the Sinaloa Cartel, which reportedly used hacked cell phone data and surveillance footage to locate and eliminate FBI informants. This revelation highlights the cartel’s relentless efforts to safeguard its operations.
The audit indicates that in 2018, the cartel hired a hacker to infiltrate the call logs of FBI agents and access Mexico City’s extensive camera network. This breach allowed them to pinpoint individuals working with U.S. authorities, leading to intimidation and, in some cases, murder.
The Sinaloa Cartel, notorious for its global drug trafficking operations, managed to track an FBI official and their meetings with informants. This breach was part of a broader effort to disrupt investigations targeting the cartel’s leadership, including the infamous El Chapo.
El Chapo is currently incarcerated in Colorado, yet his sons are believed to be rebuilding the cartel’s empire. The U.S. government has placed a $10 million bounty on their capture, underscoring the ongoing threat they pose.
The FBI is now crafting a strategic response to address the vulnerabilities exposed by this breach. The report stresses the growing challenge posed by technological advancements, which criminal groups exploit to undermine national security.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has also captured the attention of U.S. authorities. Known for its widespread presence across all 50 states, the gang’s leader has been added to the FBI’s most wanted list.
Federal agencies, including the State Department and Treasury, are intensifying efforts to apprehend the gang’s leader, offering a $3 million reward for information leading to his capture. The Justice Department has charged him with drug trafficking and terrorism-related offenses.
The U.S. government is actively cutting off financial channels to the gang, warning institutions against dealings that could result in severe penalties. This move is part of a broader strategy to dismantle the group’s operations.
Both the Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua exemplify the sophisticated and dangerous nature of today’s criminal enterprises, posing significant threats to international security.