Luis Chaparro

Luis Chaparro is a freelance journalist based at the US-Mexico border covering criminal organizations in Latin America. He can be followed on Twitter ?@luiskuryaki

Cartel human smuggling business is turning entire border towns into war zones

Mexican Cartel Violence January 21, 2024

Cartel human smuggling business is turning entire border towns into war zones

Mexican drug cartels are profiting off of illegal migrants entering through the U.S.-Mexico border, bringing deadly crime and havoc with them to nearby towns.

Mexican cartel bases used to spy on enemies, dispatch hitmen

Mexican Cartel Violence September 17, 2023

Mexican cartel bases used to spy on enemies, dispatch hitmen

Mexican cartels have set up so called "intelligence centers" in parts of the country. The centers also work as communications hubs so the criminal organizations can keep a watch on authorities and others.

Fentanyl Road: How deadly drug goes from China to Mexico, ends up in US

China June 30, 2023

Fentanyl Road: How deadly drug goes from China to Mexico, ends up in US

Precursor chemicals whose only use is to manufacture fentanyl are ordered by the Cartels from Chinese factories. The drug is then produced in Mexico and smuggled into the US.

Sinaloa Cartel exports fentanyl ‘kitchens’ from Mexico to Colombia amid international crackdown

Mexico June 13, 2023

Sinaloa Cartel exports fentanyl ‘kitchens’ from Mexico to Colombia amid international crackdown

The sons of "El Chapo" are said to be moving their drug production from Sinaloa, Mexico, to Colombia, according to sources inside the Colombian government and cartel operators.