EL CHAPO’S ruthless cartel used a hacker to break into Mexico City’s CCTV system and track down FBI informants — before having them killed.
A shocking new US Justice Department report reveals the Sinaloa Cartel, once run by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, hired a tech expert to spy on American agents and expose their sources.
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The hacker hacked into Mexico City’s camera network and phone records in 2018, tailing an FBI assistant legal attaché (ALAT) at the US embassy.
Armed with this intel, the cartel was able to “intimidate and, in some instances, kill potential sources or cooperating witnesses,” the report said.
The Justice Department added: “According to the FBI, in addition to compromising the ALAT’s phone, the hacker also accessed Mexico City’s camera system, used the cameras to follow the ALAT through the city, and identified people the ALAT met with.”
The findings shine a harsh light on how cartels are now using cutting-edge tech to stay a step ahead of law enforcement.
The audit warned that new technology has “made it easier than ever for less-sophisticated nations and criminal enterprises to identify and exploit vulnerabilities” in government data.
It comes as Mexico’s cops desperately try to catch up.
In Chiapas this week, police unveiled armed drones to take on cartels fighting for smuggling routes along the Guatemalan border.
Just weeks ago, the same force sparked a diplomatic storm by chasing gunmen into Guatemala and engaging in a wild street shootout.
The Sinaloa Cartel — once commanded by El Chapo, who’s now locked up in the US — remains locked in a bloody battle with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Meanwhile, a new breed of younger, tech-savvy narcos is ramping up tactics like cryptocurrency laundering and state-of-the-art surveillance.
“The cartels run a multi-billion-dollar global enterprise and utilize sophisticated technology to enhance their business operations,” said Derek Maltz, former acting DEA chief.
“They utilize state-of-art sophisticated surveillance techniques to identify law enforcement activities and their adversaries.”
The FBI says it’s drafting a plan to plug these glaring security gaps, including more training for agents.
But the Justice Department report warned the threat is so severe that some in the FBI and CIA call it “existential”.
Mexico’s long-running drug war rages on with no end in sight.
More than 400,000 people have been killed since the government first declared war on the cartels in 2006, and tens of thousands more have vanished without a trace.
Despite high-profile arrests and military crackdowns, groups like Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation continue to expand their reach, both at home and across borders.
In the US, the stakes are equally dire.
Authorities have repeatedly blamed Mexican cartels for driving the fentanyl crisis, which has fuelled a record surge in overdose deaths.
Washington has labelled these syndicates “foreign terrorist organisations” in everything but official designation, ramping up efforts to cripple their finances and supply chains.
Mexico’s most dangerous cartels
Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) – The most violent and rapidly expanding cartel, known for extreme brutality, including cannibalism, drone warfare, and high-profile assassinations. Led by Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes.
Sinaloa Cartel – Once led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, this powerful cartel is known for sophisticated drug trafficking networks and ruthless tactics, including face peeling and mass executions.
Los Zetas – Originally formed by ex-special forces soldiers, Los Zetas are infamous for military-style operations, public massacres, and the “Highway of Death” killings.
Gulf Cartel – One of Mexico’s oldest cartels, involved in human trafficking, kidnappings, and violent turf wars, often clashing with Los Zetas.
Beltrán Leyva Cartel – Known for alliances with other criminal groups and deadly feuds, this cartel specialises in assassinations and corruption at the highest levels.
Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel – A rising force primarily involved in fuel theft and extortion, responsible for deadly attacks against rivals and law enforcement.