novelraw Chapter 1318 - 717: Infiltration
Chapter 1318 - 717: Infiltration
The DEA's data on the gangs in Mexico is quite comprehensive, at least for the larger gangs it should be all there. But it's uncertain if Hank, the Senior Agent, can access those specific documents, as some of them are highly classified and only visible to agents on designated missions.
However, this so-called Carlos Escobar doesn't seem to belong to those types of gangs. Hank reacted immediately when he heard Wendy mention the name, indicating that he has a substantial portion of Juarez's gang data in his head.
Hank's investigation probably isn't going very smoothly. Jimmy and the others waited until the afternoon before Hank called Jimmy and met them at the café they were staying at. Luckily, Jimmy and his group didn't just sit for hours with a single coffee, since as long as they were customers, they wouldn't be kicked out.
Hank sat down and handed Jimmy a folder, with the DEA's emblem on the cover. It seems Hank might have brought internal documents out directly. "It's a bit troublesome; Carlos Escobar's data is all here. It's not much, but Juarez is in a very troublesome state right now. The gangs across the city are in chaotic conflicts, and their latest information hasn't been updated in time."
When Hank said Juarez is in a very troublesome state, he was referring to the Juarez drug war. Since 2006, several major Mexican drug cartels have been vying for key foothold cities along the US-Mexico border. The Sinaloa Group and the Juarez Cartel have been engaged in a prolonged tug-of-war in Juárez City.
In fact, it's not just a drug war between two sides; including small local gangs and corrupt police, hundreds of forces are fighting over territories and cross-border routes in Juarez.
Since 2006, Juarez has continuously topped the list of the world's most dangerous cities, with official records exceeding 2,000 gun-related deaths annually. The number of unofficial deaths is even harder to count, and a batch of gangs has replaced another within just a few years.
Due to the special circumstances at the time, a saying circulated among Mexicans: "Go north, go to Juarez, and once you're there, you'll become a Juarez person and get rich."
In this context, for desperados and those unwilling to remain in poverty, rushing to Juarez to fight for a fortune was entirely conceivable. The gangs received reinforcements from these fresh bloods, further prolonging the Juarez drug war and its intensity.
Carlos Escobar rose to prominence during this drug war. He is Mexican and founded Los Reyes Negros in Juarez a few years ago. Initially, their influence was small, but as the drug war commenced, they gradually took control of a small area in Juarez and became one of the surviving gangs.
The core members of the gang number in the dozens, including a gunmen squad that formed his base team. Most members of this squad are former Mexican soldiers and special police officers. Intelligence suggests they seized territory in Juarez by assassinating key figures and absorbed two small gangs.
Now, Carlos's gang is no longer considered small. They have gunmen to protect key figures and seize territories, drug dealers to earn money, and snakeheads to handle traditional border-crossing operations. In short, they're small but complete.
In Mexico, drug dealers often bestow small favors to citizens within their control, both to appease their influence and recruit more members to expand their impact. Any gang with ambition won't overstep within their own territory.
Carlos runs a drug trafficking network. Intelligence shows they have a separate transportation line, moving drugs from Juarez's surroundings into the United States. The specifics of this route have not been uncovered yet. They have collaborators in New Mexico conducting money laundering and drug trafficking, but no permanent gang base has been found there.
The clues Wendy provided indicate a significant gap in the DEA's monitoring of this gang. The fact that they could control a well-known underground club in Albuquerque suggests their influence has penetrated the city. Otherwise, local gangs wouldn't allow them to openly hold territory. Wendy's underground intelligence is widespread, indicating that the information is already widely known in the underworld.
The reason for Hank's troubled expression likely includes this factor. As a Senior Agent, he has the responsibility to collect local criminal group data. Although it's not the primary responsibility, something definitely went wrong on their part.
Jimmy: "Did you get the club's information?"
Hank: "The club information isn't in the bureau, but I did ask around. It's a very famous club in the underground world, providing high-end services. Ordinary gang members don't have the means to play there."
Jimmy thought for a moment, then handed the documents over to Hope across the table, "So, Hank, do you think I should continue investigating this club? You know what case I'm here to investigate. Do you think it's them? Without any interference, what do you reckon is the likelihood?"