Mexican cartels are massive, transnational criminal organizations, with some, like the CJNG, estimated to have over 18,800 to 33,100+ members. Collectively, they are estimated to employ around 185,000 people (as of 2023), with major groups like the Sinaloa Cartel operating across Mexico, Latin America, and the United States, often cited as among the most powerful in the world.

..talked to our friend in MX a bit ago, he says the cartels are targeting (un-alive-ing) any mayor or politician that opposes them & they're afraid the US is preparing to come in & finish them off, says they expect it to get bad overnight.

100% Black Superman!!!Also I think that Mexica too.Also I already posted about that famous astrologist from India said about that war vs Iran will happen on 24th February.In the same day when putin srarted his war vs Ukraine 4 years ago.Also 23rd February is ''good'' day for this war.Global satanists use this evil,demonic number very often Everywhere.For transformation of this reality.They push this number very often in the news,movies and music clips.coffeecupu2efine

GLP poster

Phoenix Sky Harbor has seen cancellations of flights to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Guadalajara because of the “ongoing security situation” around those airports and tourist zones. Arizona media are highlighting that many travelers from Phoenix and Tucson are currently stuck or sheltering in place in affected Mexican resort areas due to cartel violence and government/security advisories. Local officials and members of Congress in Arizona are publicly warning constituents, urging them to sign up for State Department alerts and to exercise caution with Mexico travel while the CJNG situation is unstable. On-the-ground cartel activity in Phoenix itself Phoenix already has a long‑standing role as a trafficking and logistics hub for Mexican cartels (especially for fentanyl and other drugs) according to law‑enforcement commentary, but public reporting this weekend is focused on travel disruptions and safety alerts tied to the CJNG violence in Mexico rather than visible open combat in Phoenix

Info from Grok

Phoenix, Arizona, functions primarily as a logistical and distribution hub for Mexican cartels—especially the Sinaloa Cartel (CDS)—rather than a site of open cartel warfare or street-level violence like in parts of Mexico or border towns. Activity centers on drug trafficking/distribution into the U.S., gun-running from the Phoenix area back to Mexico, money laundering, and occasional linked crimes (e.g., homicides tied to disputes). There are no recent reports of large-scale cartel shootouts or public turf battles within Phoenix itself; local violent crime trends (including homicides) were down in 2025 per Phoenix and Mesa PD data.
Primary Cartels and Their Role

Sinaloa Cartel (CDS): The dominant threat in Arizona, per the DEA Phoenix Field Division. Arizona (including Phoenix) is described as "ground zero for drug trafficking" and a key gateway for drugs entering the U.S. via Southwest Border ports of entry (POEs), then distributed nationwide via interstates. Phoenix hosts wholesalers and affiliates who supply local gangs/street crews. DEA Special Agent in Charge Cheri Oz has stated the agency is "laser-focused" on Sinaloa, with 48% more arrests in 2025 (many high-level) under operations like Sinaloa Crackdown 2025. Fentanyl and meth are the top threats; fentanyl is often pressed into fake pills or mixed into other drugs.
Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG): Also active with a U.S. presence in all 50 states (including Arizona). It traffics fentanyl, meth, and cocaine, though Sinaloa leads in the region. CJNG has been linked to some local rings and drone use for smuggling (mostly near the border, e.g., Yuma County incursions). The Feb. 22, 2026, killing of CJNG leader "El Mencho" (Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes) by the Mexican army triggered retaliatory violence/blockades in Mexico (Jalisco, etc.), leading to U.S. Embassy alerts, shelter-in-place orders for Americans (including Arizonans in places like Puerto Vallarta), and flight cancellations from Phoenix Sky Harbor to Mexican destinations. No direct spillover violence has been reported in Phoenix.

Per the 2025 DEA National Drug Threat Assessment:

CDS primarily routes drugs through California and Arizona POEs.
Mexican cartels (led by Sinaloa/CJNG) accounted for the majority of 14,069 kg of fentanyl seized at the Southwest Border in 2024, with the largest share at the Arizona-Mexico border.
Phoenix is explicitly named as one of the major U.S. cities with illicit drug wholesalers tied to CDS networks using social media/encrypted apps for sales and recruitment.

Key Activities in Phoenix

Drug Distribution: Large-scale seizures of fentanyl (pills and powder—record amounts by DEA Phoenix), meth, cocaine, and heroin. Examples include multi-year probes (e.g., with AZ AG and Tempe PD) charging 150+ people and seizing millions of fentanyl pills. Local examples: A Phoenix father-son duo (Monarrez DTO) ran a ring sourcing fentanyl/meth from Mexican suppliers. Fentanyl appears in nearly every illicit drug type seized in Arizona.
Gun Trafficking (Reverse Flow to Mexico): A major Phoenix-specific issue. Arizona (heavily Phoenix-area dealers/gun shows) is the top U.S. corridor for firearms to Mexican cartels.
Oct. 2025 AZ indictment: 20 people for buying 334 firearms (mostly rifles) from 23 Phoenix dealers (2024–2025) for export to Mexico.
Separate ATF case (2022–2024): Network of 9 U.S. citizens (incl. Phoenix-linked brothers) bought high-caliber weapons (.50-cal rifles, machine guns) via social media-recruited "straw buyers" (paid $800–$14,000), with guns recovered in Sinaloa (fueling internal conflicts). Methods included cash purchases, false ATF forms, and smuggling south (sometimes taping cash to bodies at borders).
Many Arizona-recovered crime guns trace to Phoenix; trafficked weapons arm cartels for violence south of the border.

Other Linked Crimes: Rare but documented ties, e.g., a suspected Sinaloa member (living illegally) arrested in a Phoenix murder/kidnapping case; isolated homicides or smuggling scouts near metro Phoenix. Human smuggling occurs but is more border-focused. Drones by cartels are a growing border concern (not metro Phoenix).

Broader Context and Response

Public Safety: Cartel activity contributes to Arizona's drug crisis (fentanyl driving poisonings), but does not manifest as routine cartel violence in Phoenix neighborhoods. Multi-agency efforts (DEA, ATF, FBI Phoenix, AZ AG, OCDETF Strike Force) focus on dismantling networks via arrests, seizures, and sanctions. A 2026 ballot measure proposes designating cartels as terrorist organizations and tasking state DHS with addressing threats.
Trends: Intensified U.S./Mexican pressure (e.g., Sinaloa leadership arrests like "El Mayo" in 2024) has led to more internal cartel infighting in Mexico but sustained U.S. operations. Arizona lawmakers and officials emphasize the border corridor role.

This is based on public DEA reports, local news (e.g., FOX10 Phoenix, AZFamily, AZCentral, 12News), ATF/AZ AG announcements, and investigations up to Feb. 2026. For the latest incidents, check official sources like DEA.gov or Phoenix PD, as activity evolves with enforcement. If you're asking about a specific aspect (e.g., recent seizures, travel impacts, or stats), provide more details for a deeper dive.3.2s

Grok

quote:

Originally posted by raisedbypoodles:
..talked to our friend in MX a bit ago, he says the cartels are targeting (un-alive-ing) any mayor or politician that opposes them & they're afraid the US is preparing to come in & finish them off, says they expect it to get bad overnight.

Also heard the CJNG sent a "memo". Loosely translated: They didn't want anyone on the streets beginning at 9pm (maybe yesterday?) as they would begin to "cleanse" and that the war was between the cartels and opposition, and did not want civilian casualties. Military and leo could continue their operations.