Colombia Vice

[chum981]

Reporthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/10/13/colombia.drug.war/index.htmlPhotoshttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/10/13/colombia.drug.war/index.html#cnnSTCPhotoVideohttp://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/12/vo.medellin.cocaine.process.cnn

[Fresh Prince]

It's scarier in real life isn't it?

[COOPER&BURNETT]

It's the lure of easy money, it's got a very stong appeal.

[chum981]

Colombian hitmen reveal horror of the killhttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/10/14/colombia.hitmen/index.html

[chum981]

Luxuries dazzle gangsters' girlshttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/10/15/colombia.girlfriends/index.html

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Cocaine seized on submarine near Guatemalahttp://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2009/10/22/cocaine-seized-on-submarine-near-guatemala/"GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (CNN) - Guatemalan authorities, together with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, captured a makeshift submarine carrying thousands of kilos of cocaine, a government official said Thursday. The amount of cocaine on the ship was unconfirmed, but local reports estimated the illicit cargo at 10,000 kilograms (approximately 22,000 pounds). If so, it would be the largest drug bust by Guatemalan authorities.Colombian officials alerted the Guatemalans and Americans about the cocaine-laden submarine, Guatemalan Interior Minister Raul Velasquez told CNN en Español. A DEA vessel in the Pacific Ocean heading elsewhere was diverted to interdict the submarine Wednesday night. Authorities caught up to the vessel in international waters off the Guatemalan coast, authorities said.Three Colombians and one Mexican national onboard the submarine were arrested, Velasquez said. The names of the suspects and exact amount of cocaine were unknown because the DEA ship ran out of fuel, resulting in a delay coming in to port.Guatemalan officials, possibly including President Alvaro Colom, planned to meet the DEA ship and its cargo when it finally arrives Friday, Velasquez said.U.S. officials estimate "drug subs" now transport about one-third of all cocaine that moves by sea from South America to the United States. The makeshift vessels come in several forms and are built of fiberglass, wood and steel in the swamps along the west coast of Colombia, under the cover of heavy foliage, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. –Journalist Alexia Rios contributed to this report for CNN. "

[timm525]

Seeings how these "Drug Subs" are the new wave of the future for drug running and since there is no real legitimate use for these subs otherwise, I think the authorities should outlaw them outright with the warning that any and all craft found will be shot out of the water and sunk with all hands aboard.That would definitely put a new meaning to the term "Occupational Hazard" for drug runners.Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[chum981]

Mexican cartel leader pleads guilty to drug chargeshttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/10/24/mexico.cartel.plea/index.html"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Mexican cartel leader, best known as the brother of the man who killed DEA Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, pleaded guilty in Denver, Colorado, to drug trafficking charges on Friday.Nearly 20 years after his indictment, Miguel Angel Caro-Quintero, 46, admitted trafficking more than 100 tons of marijuana, and sending more than $100 million to Mexico. Caro-Quintero, who faces between 10 to 20 years, is scheduled for sentencing on February 4.He faces up to five more years for drug charges in Arizona, stemming from a 1994 indictment.Caro-Quintero was arrested in Sinaloa, Mexico, in 2001 and extradited to Colorado in February after spending eight years in custody for weapons crimes in Mexico.Don't MissIs Mexico winning its war on drugs? Top Mexican cartel leader arrested, military says "Today's guilty plea demonstrates the Justice Department's willingness to pursue drug kingpins no matter how long ago they were charged with a crime," said U.S. Attorney David Gaoette in Denver.Rafael Caro-Quintero, the defendant's older brother, is serving a 40-year prison sentence in Mexico for Camarena's murder in 1985."

[chum981]

Although there seems to be a war against drugs happening, I don't think the authorities want to eradicate it completely...Miami was built on drug revenue and as per "Prodigal Son", the drug revenue is needed to pay off loans.I don't quite understand though, since there seems to be a commmitment to eradicate all the violence etc., but its such a huge industry worth so much money that I really don't think they'd want to get rid of it.I also think that the decision makers think that the vice of drugs affects the so-called lower classes so the decision makers probably aren't so dedicated to eradicate it. They think money, not vice...I mean, from the article posted above, this one man sent $100 million back to Mexico.

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Reputed Mexican drug lord on Forbes most-powerful listhttp://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/13/forbes.mexico.guzman/index.htmlMexico City, Mexico (CNN) -- A reputed Mexican drug lord with a $5 million reward on his head has been named to Forbes magazine's list of the most powerful people in the world.Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who authorities say heads the powerful Sinaloa Cartel, is believed to have shipped $6 billion to $19 billion in cocaine to the United States over the past eight years, Forbes says in the listing.The magazine ranks him No. 41, ahead of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (No. 43), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (46), French President Nicolas Sarkozy (56) and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (67). Guzman also bested U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts (49) and entertainer Oprah Winfrey (45) on the list, released Wednesday.The designation marks the second time Forbes has named Guzman to one of its lists. Forbes classified him in March as one of the wealthiest people in the world, ranking him No. 701 with a net worth of $1 billion.Guzman was not the first narcotrafficker named to the Forbes most-wealthy list. The magazine placed Colombian cocaine king Pablo Escobar on the list in 1989.Guzman, known as "El Chapo" or "Shorty," is under indictment in Illinois on cocaine trafficking charges. U.S. officials have offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.He was arrested in 1993 on homicide and drug charges but escaped in 2001, reportedly by bribing prison guards to smuggle him out in a laundry truck. A Mexican federal investigation led to the arrest of more than 70 prison officials.Forbes notes that Guzman's fortune was self-made. His age is given as 52 or 54.The Sinaloa Cartel, named after the Mexican Pacific Coast state where the gang was formed, is one of the most powerful drug-trafficking groups in the nation.