The Sinaloa Cartel Empire:  DEA 2015

This map from the DEA shows the influence of various Mexican cartels as they supply US populations with drugs, as of mid-2015.  It would be nice to see an updated map as of 2018, reflecting increased competition within Mexico for access to drugs, trade routes, protection, etc.  The Sinaloa cartel influence is probably smaller now that Chapo Guzman is in the U.S.  Notice how relatively small the Juárez cartel, shown as covering only West Texas and New Mexico, is in contrast to the extensive Sinaloa (brown) influence.  The Gulf cartel (in red) covers about the same amount of territory as the Juárez cartel, most of Texas.  Some of the increased violence in Mexico may be related to intensifying competition for access to drugs to supply the light blue, purple, green, and possibly newer still networks of distribution.

Chapo was captured, but the May 2017 version of the DEA drug assessment (click here) indicates that Caro Quintero, now in his late 60's, after serving 28 years in jail, is listed as joining forces with Ismael (El Mayo) Zambada to run the Sinaloa cartel.