Key Points: Mexican cartels, particularly Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), have strengthened their presence in Oceania.
Rise in Oceanic Presence: According to the DEA’s report “Presencia e impacto de los cárteles mexicanos en Australia y Nueva Zelanda,” these cartels have significantly increased their operations in Australia and New Zealand over recent years.
Drug Trafficking Methods
- High-Purity Methamphetamine: This is now a primary drug trafficked from Mexico to Oceania, marking a shift from traditional Southeast Asian routes.
- Sophisticated Hiding Techniques: Cartels use advanced methods including agricultural machinery, hydraulic presses, electrical transformers, and even alcohol to conceal drugs. These tactics reflect significant investment in logistical capabilities.
- Transit Routes:
- Drugs often sent first to the U.S. or Canada before being re-routed to Oceania.
- Pacific Island nations serve as transit hubs for final delivery to destination markets.
- Local Networks: Cartels maintain trusted contacts within strategic aeroport and seaport locations to facilitate drug smuggling into Australia and New Zealand.
- Financial Networks:
- Money laundering operations involve Chinese links for fund transfers back to Mexico.
- Encrypted platforms are used for secure communication among Mexican operators, intermediaries, and Oceanian distributors.
Implications: The cartels’ flexible partnerships with local criminal groups could heighten competition and violence in the regional drug market. Their growing sophistication suggests ongoing challenges for law enforcement efforts.
