Hidden Forces at Play: Unseen Powers Emerging in Colorado

The growing influence of drug cartels in Colorado poses a serious threat that demands immediate attention and action.

At a Glance

Legal marijuana industry in Colorado has attracted dangerous drug cartels.
Authorities link cartel activities to Cuban and Mexican-descended perpetrators.
DEA believes established cartels are thriving locally due to the illegal marijuana market.
Significant amount of drug money flows from the U.S. back to Mexico.
Operation Cash Out aims to curb financial flow from cartel activities, especially fentanyl trafficking.

Drug Cartels Targeting Colorado’s Marijuana Industry

Colorado’s legalized marijuana industry has attracted drug cartels looking to exploit the profitable market. The Denver Post reports that local law enforcement often identifies perpetrators of Cuban or Mexican descent in connection to cartel activities. This has raised alarms about the potential long-term consequences of embedding such criminal elements in local economies.

DEA agent Tim Scott highlights that portions of large, established cartels are now represented locally, directed by the lucrative illegal marijuana market. He states this adaptation is evident by the presence of Cubans, Vietnamese, and Laotians in these operations. The DEA’s 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment survey also suggests Mexican and Asian cartels mainly operate out of Denver.

Authorities Acknowledge and Combat Cartel Presence

Authorities across multiple Colorado counties, including El Paso, Teller, and Pueblo, publicly affirm that drug cartels operate within state lines. However, local law enforcement has not provided concrete evidence directly linking international cartels to illegal grow operations. A broader view of the situation shows significant concerns, but a lack of resolved court cases and documented evidence still exists.

“We have cartels from around the world,” stated 4th Judicial District Attorney Dan May. “You name any South American country, we have it here.”

Authorities attribute an uptick in violent crime to cartel influence yet face the challenge of decreasing funding and resources to address the issue, making efforts difficult. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has deployed more funds to combat illegal marijuana cultivation, a step in countering cartel encroachments.

Financial Operations of Cartels In Colorado

The DEA’s Operation Cash Out targets the financial underpinnings of cartel activities, mainly focusing on stopping money flow through U.S. financial institutions back to Mexico. Fentanyl trafficking, a key area of concern within cartel operations due to its high profitability, sees significant revenue sent to Mexico as evidenced by more than $63 billion in remittances in 2023.

“The number one thing is they’re out to make money and fentanyl is so profitable a product,” Rocky Mountain DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge, David Olesky noted.

The DEA emphasizes the need for collaboration with financial institutions to effectively combat money laundering by cartels. They observe that cartels often use money service businesses to transfer smaller amounts, undetectable under current monitoring systems. By forming partnerships, the DEA hopes to disrupt the financial networks that sustain these organizations.

Urgency in Addressing the Problem

The state’s multi-faceted crime increases since marijuana legalization include domestic violence, population growth, and opioid use, complicating the attribution of rising crime rates solely to marijuana. Effectively countering cartel activity in Colorado requires bolstering law enforcement capabilities and addressing the root causes that allow cartels to thrive.

“The cartels are going to take advantage of every kind of opportunity to launder their money. For one thing, it’s greed. It’s to move money, making billions of dollars,” said Olesky.

Stronger local and federal initiatives are vital to protect communities and the integrity of Colorado’s economy from the expanding influence of cartels. Decisive actions now can prevent these criminal organizations from deepening their foothold and threatening broader national security interests.