UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE U FOUO Los Guerreros Unidos Capitalizes on the U S Heroin Epidemic to Develop into a Transnational Criminal Organization of Growing Concern DEA-DCT-DIB-006-17 JANUARY 2017 - uif ill JIii '''' _ - - •- ' L i t · _ • U This document is the property of DEA and may be distributed within the Federal Government and its contractors law enforcement and public safety or protection officials with a need to know Distribution beyond these entities without DEA authorization is strictly prohibited Precautions should be taken to ensure this information is stored and or destroyed in a manner that precludes unauthorized access The use of information in this report is preapproved for U S Intelligence Community products including finished analytic products distributed to U S Executive Branch departments agencies Cited portions must carry the same classification and controls and readers of this report must hold all appropriate clearances Otherwise the information in this report may not be used in legal proceedings for operational or intelligence collection activities shared with foreign persons or agencies entered into non-DEA databases for operational purposes or reproduced in additional formats unless express permission is granted by DEA based on a written request submitted to dea onsi@gold ic gov Top Secret deaonsi@dea usdoj sgov gov Secret or dea onsi@usdoj gov Unclassified UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Page 669 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE U Executive Summary U DSEN Despite its short history Los Guerreros Unidosa LGU has evolved into a Mexican transnational criminal organization TCO of growing concern with a drug distribution network spanning several major cities in the United States Although it continues to be regarded as a sub-group of the Beltran-Leyva Organization BLO LGU operates independently of BLO factions and has progressively functioned as an autonomous TCO While drug cartel dynamics have been fluid over the past six years in Mexico with new criminal groups emerging and fading LGU has persevered thanks in large part to its role in the heroin trade According to Drug Enforcement Administration DEA reporting LGU is currently one of Mexico's leading exporters of heroin to U S drug markets in the South Midwest and on the East Coast The rising demand for heroin in the United States has likely contributed to LGU's growth over the years and resilience in the face of pressure from the Mexican Government Sustained alliances with other TCOs in Mexico and expansion into new drug markets in the United States will be critical for LGU's progression over the long term U Details b 7 D U Los Guerreros Unidos E erges as an Offshoot of Beltran-Leyva Organization In December _ _ - -- e e x 1c a n --r- e c r ecr-a riat of National Defense confirmed a new group known as Los Guerreros Unidos claimed responsibility for the murder of three people in Cuernavaca Morelos throu h narco-messa es left at the scene 2 GUERRERO U Areas of Intl ence in Mexico 0 15 30 6-0Km U DSEN LG 's territorial influence currently I 1 I encompasse several municipalities within Source DEA the Mexican ristate area of Guerrero Mexico and Morelo Initially LGU control was centered in the north-central part of Guerrero and the upperhalf of Mo elos However due to a 2011 rupture within the La Familia Michoacana LFM cartel several LFM dis dent groups- primarily based in the state of Mexico-joined sides with LGU expanding the I I I I I I a U Los Guerreros Unidos is a Spanish term meaning The United Warriors and is a generic name that is not identifiable with a specific region in Mexico However the term consists of a play on the word Guerrero which literally means warrior'' in Spanish but can also be understood to refer to the Mexican state of Guerrero where Los Guerreros Unidos initially emerged and continues to operate b U BLO leader Arturo Beltran-Leyva was killed during a Government of Mexico arrest operation in Cuernavaca Morelos in December 2009 b 6 b 7 C _ b 7 D b 7 A 2 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Page 670 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE organization's influence to three states 5·6 According to February 2013 DEA reporting a rift in LFM led to the formation of two distinct groups-Los Caballeros Templarios LCT and LGU 7 U Drug Distribution Portfolio U DSEN Although not as expansive as other TCOs the areas in Mexico under the control of LGU are strategically located along recognized heroin trafficking routes LGU's dominance in north-central Guerrero affords the organization proximity to the mountainous regions in the central and southern parts of the state where the majority of poppy cultivation for the region occurs In addition north-central Guerrero serves as a common and convenient transit point for processed heroin coming from these regions The city of lguala regarded as LGU's birthplace and central base in northern Guerrero lies at a crossroads between several major highways that connect the interior of Guerrero with the states of Morelos Mexico and Michoacan Due to these characteristics I uala has become an im ortant traffickin hub for heroin bound for the United States 8·9•10 b 7 D U DSEN Apart from its focus on heroin trafficking LGU is also responsible for exporting cocaine methamphetamine and to a lesser extent marijuana to various U S drug markets LGU inherited its cocaine trafficking infrastructure from the BLO which had previously established sources of supply in Colombia and routes to U S distribution cells LGU supplemented its drug distribution portfolio with methamphetamine after the integration of former LFM cells in Mexico and the United States U Cross-Border Smuggling Corridors Facilitate the Flow of LGU Drug Shipments into South Texas U DSEN LGU introduces the majority of its poly-drug shipments into the United States through the Southwest Border SWB mainly using smuggling corridors in northeast Mexico DEA reporting indicates LGU primarily utilizes several U S -Mexico border cities to include Laredo McAllen and Brownsville to transport illicit drug shipments into south Texas and smuggle bulk currency shipments back to Mexico b 6 b 7 C b 7 D b 7 A b 7 D • In January 2016 an LGU drug transportation cell reportedly exported cocaine and marijuana from Monterrey Nuevo Leon to the United States through POEs in Laredo McAllen and Brownsville for ultimate distribution in Houston 17 U Drug Routes and U S Distribution Network U DSEN LGU maintains an extensive network in the United States to transport and distribute illicit drugs primarily heroin through southern midwestern and eastern states LGU has designated several cities in these regions as strategic transit points and distribution hubs to include Atlanta Austin Chicago Houston and New York City Illicit drugs passing through or reaching these hubs are ultimately routed to markets throughout the states of Alabama Arkansas Florida Georgia Illinois Maryland New Jersey New York North Carolina Pennsylvania and Texas The following DEA reporting highlights LGU's drug trafficking activity in each of these hubs 3 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Page 671 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE U DSEN Figure 2 Flow of Los Guerreros Unidos' Illicit Drug Shipments through Identified Distribution Hubs and End-User Markets in the United States b 7 E U AUSTIN TEXAS b 7 D b 7 A U HOUSTON TEXAS b 7 D • U DSEN DEA reporting reveals that LGU exports vast amounts of drugs primarily heroin to various cities in the United States to include Atlanta Chicago and Houston 22·23 4 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Page 672 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE b D U CHICAGO • ILLINOIS U DSEN In December 2014 eight defendants including the head of an LGU cell in the Chicago area were charged in the Northern District of Illinois The investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 68 kilograms of heroin 9 kilograms of cocaine and more than $500 000 in U S currency USC since August 2013 This LGU cell imported wholesale amounts of heroin and cocaine from Mexico often concealing the illicit drugs in commercial passenger buses travelling from Mexico to Chicago 25 b 6 b C b D b A Source DEA U ATLANTA GEORGIA b D b D b A b D U NEW YORK CITY NEW YORK b 6 b C b D b A U Interfacing with U S -based Criminal Groups U DSEN LGU focuses mainly on the wholesale supply of illicit drugs to the United States while relying on local DTOs and urban street gangs for retail distribution The following DEA reporting highlights LGU's association with several distinct U S -based criminal groups c U Mexican traffickers commonly refer to Mexico-produced white heroin as China white even though it is typically off-white tan or beige-rarely white in color The term China white is also used by Mexican traffickers to distinguish between Mexico-produced black-tar heroin and white heroin s UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Page 673 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE b 7 0 b 7 D b 7 A • According to DEA reporting a Chicago-based LGU cell dismantled in 2014 was responsible for distributing more than 300 kilograms of heroin per month throughout the Midwest with much of the supply destined for violent street gangs in Chicago 34 U Alliances and Rivalries in Mexico Offer Opportunities for LGU's Further Growth or Potential Demise U DSEN LGU fortified its osition in recent ears throu h alliances and workin relationshi s with other Mexican TCOs b 7 D b 7 A _ _ _ _ _- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ' __ - - __ - -- - - __ __J lthough unclear LGU likely also maintains a working relationship with either the ul artel or os etas enabling the movement of its drug shipments through areas under the control of these cartels in northeast Mexico b 6 b 7 C b 7 D b 7 A U DSEN Despite strengthening itself through alliances LGU faces continual pressure from its adversaries presenting challenges to growth Since its inception LGU has maintained a violent rivalry with Los Rojos that has resulted in elevated levels of cartel-related homicides in Morelos and Guerrero 37 3s LGU is also competing with LFM cells in northwest Guerrero and the states of Mexico and Morelos that split from LCT but never coalesced with LGU 39 Moreover LGU has experienced an intense crackdown by Mexican authorities due to its role in the September 2014 kidnapping and murder of 43 students in lguala whom LGU members believed to be rivals 40 In the aftermath of this widely publicized event several of LGU's leaders and political contacts in Mexico were arrested straining the organization's infrastructure in its areas of influence 41 42 U Outlook b 7 E 6 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Page 674 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE U DSEN Heroin will remain a vital source of revenue for LGU and a key component to its continued evolution As one of the beneficiaries of the current national opioid epidemic LGU is well-positioned to continue benefitting from sustained heroin use in the United States Although LGU's involvement in the heroin trade poses a troubling drug threat to the United States it offers an opportunity for U S law enforcement agencies to target the command and control of one of the TCOs currently involved in contributing to the flow of heroin to the United States U DE b D ield Division Investigative ReportingJ b_ _ _ D_ _ _ lextracted information is U DSEN overall ocumen classification is U DSEN 2 U Open Source Center LAP20111222022006 New Criminal Group Claims Responsibility for Murder of Three Men in Cuernavaca Source Animal Politico in Spanish December 21 2011 3 U DEAl b D Field Division Reportingj b D classification is U DSEN 4 U DE b D Field Division Investigative Reportingfb D documen c assI Ication is U DSEN 5 U DEA Mexico City Country Office Investigative Reporting December 2013 extracted information is U DSEN overall document classification is U DSEN 6 U DEA Austin Resident Office Investigative Reporting May 2015 extracted information is U DSEN overall document classification is U DSEN 7 U DEA Laredo District Office Investigative Reporting February 2013 extracted information is U DSEN overall document classification is U DSEN 8 U Contralinea com mx September 27 2015 lguala The route and Complicity of Heroin http www contralinea com mx archivo-revista index php 2015 09 27 iguala-route-complicity-heroin Accessed on August 1 2016 9 U Chicago Tribune September 25 2015 In search for Mexico's 43 killings of 6 others go ignored http www chicagotribune com news nationworld sns-ap-lt-mexico-missing-students-forgotten-dead-20150925story html Accessed on August 1 2016 10 U El Pais September 7 2015 Hidden heroin stash may have been behind lguala student massacre http elpais com elpais 2015 09 07 inenglish 1441629149 767633 html Accessed on August 1 2016 11 U DEJb D f ield Division Investigative Reporting j b D overaii Jocument classification is U DSEN 12 U DE b D ield Division Investigative ReportingJb D documen c assI 1cation is U DSEN 13 U DE Field Division Investigative Reporting b D b A overall acumen c assification is U DSEN 14 U DEA b D b A Office Investigative Reporting - - - overall documen c assI Ica I0n is U DSEN 15 U DEJlfb D ield Division Investigative Reportingf b D document class1 1cation is U DSEN 16 U DEAJ b D Resident Office Investigative Reporting fb D overall document classification is U DSEN 17 U DEA Houston Field Division Investigative Reporting January 2016 extracted information is U DSEN rail document classification is U DSEN 18 U DE - 1 esident Office Investigative Reporting b D b A extracted information is U DSEN overall ocument classification is U DSEN b D b A extracted information is U DSEN overall document extracted information is U DSEN overall extracted information is U DSEN extracted information is U DSEN overall i im r information is U DSEN extracted information is U DSEN overall extracted information is U DSEN 7 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Page 675 information is U DSEN UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE b 7 D b A b 7 D b A Resident Office Investigative Reporting _ o - c u m- ' ent classification is U DSEN ___ ____ b D Office Investigative Reporting j b_ _ 7l_ D_ _ ____ l extracted information is _ _ o c u m e n- classification is U DSEN 22 U DEA Mexico City Country Office Investigative Reporting December 2015 extracted information is U DSEN overall document classification is U DSEN 23 U DEA Houston Field Division Investigative Reporting July 2015 extracted information is U DSEN overall document classification is U DSEN 24 U DEA b D Resident Office Investigative Reportingl b D overall documen c assification is U DSEN 25 U Department of Justice U S Attorney's Office Northern District of Illinois Eight Defendants Charged With Distributing Heroin In Chicago Area On Behalf Of Guerrero Unidos Mexican Drug Cartel December 10 2014 Iextracted information is U DSEN extracted information is Office Investigative Reporting j b 7 D hT-- - - ---- - classification is U DSEN extracted information is esident Office Investigative Reporting l b D b A ocument classification is U DSEN extracted information is 30 U DE b D Field Division Investigative Reporting Jb D overall ocument classification is U DSEN 31 U DEAfb D Resident Office Investigative Reportingl b D overall document classification is U DSEN 32 U DEAg ield Division Investigative Reporting J b D extracted information is U DSEN overall d t classification is U DSEN b D U DEA b A District Office Investigative ReportingJb D b A extracted information is U DSE overa document classification is U DSEN 33 34 35 extracted information is U DSEN Iextracted information is U DSEN I I U FOUO DEA Intelligence Report The Drug Situation in the Chicago Field Division July- December 2014 May 2015 extracted information is U DSEN overall document classification is U LES b D U DEA b 7 A Resident Office Reporting fbl 7 D b A extracted information is U DSEN overall documen c assification is U DSEN I U DEA Today Poly-Drug Trafficker Captured in Mexico May 2016 37 U DEA Chicago Field Division Investigative Reporting November 2015 extracted information is U DSEN overall document classification is U DSEN 38 U Open Source Center LAR2014052174391212 Nine More Bodies Discovered in Clandestine Grave in lguala Source Mexico City Proceso in Spanish May 20 2014 39 U Latin American Regional Report Mexico NAFTA ISSN 0968-2724 July 2012 RM-12-07 40 U Open Source Center LAR2014103154845202 United Warriors Cartel Allegedly Kidnapped 43 Students from Ayotzinapa Guerrero Source Veracruz E-Consu ta in Spanish October 29 2014 8 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Page 676 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE 41 U BBC News October 18 2014 Mexico Students Guerreros Unidos Gang Leader Arrested 42 U El Economista January 12 2015 Dictan Auto de Formal Prision a Esposa de Abarca http eleconomista com mx sociedad 2015 01 12 d ictan-auto-formal-prision-esposa-abarca Accessed on July 1 2016 43 U FBI Washington DC December 2015 Potential Establishment of Guerreros Unidos Plaza in Washington State as of November 2015 U This product was prepared by the DEA Strategic Intelligence Section Comments and questions may be addressed to the Chief Analysis and Production Section at dea onsi@usdoj gov 9 UNCLASSIFIED LA ai EMENT SENSITIVE