| size = 250
| spacing = 5
| photo1a = Cartel De Sinaloa.png
| photo2a = Sinaloa Cartel presence.png
}}
| caption = {{legend|#CCCC6E|Sinaloa Cartel}} in Mexico
| founded = {{start date and age|1987}}
| founders = [[Joaquín Guzmán Loera]], [[Héctor Luis Palma Salazar|Héctor Palma Salazar]], [[Ismael Zambada García]], [[Juan José Esparragoza Moreno]] [[Ignacio Coronel Villarreal]]
| named_after = [[Sinaloa]], Mexico
| founding_location = [[Culiacán]], [[Sinaloa]], México
| ethnicity =
| membership =
| leaders = [[Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar]], Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, Joaquín Guzmán López, Ismael Zambada Sicairos
| activities =
| allies = See [[#AlliancesCartel and collusionallies|section]] below
| rivals =
| notable_members =
The [[Guadalajara Cartel]] was co-founded by Félix Gallardo between 1978 and 1980, marking the next phase in the cartel's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insightcrime.org/mexico-organized-crime-news/sinaloa-cartel-profile|title=Sinaloa Cartel|access-date=20 January 2017|archive-date=8 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808112427/https://www.insightcrime.org/mexico-organized-crime-news/sinaloa-cartel-profile/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/why-are-sinaloa-cartel-worlds-most-powerful-gangsters-1465574|title=Why are the Sinaloa Cartel the World's Most Powerful Gangsters?|work=International Business Times UK|date=16 September 2014|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304130732/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/why-are-sinaloa-cartel-worlds-most-powerful-gangsters-1465574|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LastNarco" /> Under Gallardo's leadership, the cartel controlled much of Mexico's drug trafficking corridors along the US border throughout the 1980s. Following Gallardo's arrest in 1989, the cartel splintered into smaller organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the Sinaloa Cartel, under the leadership of figures like [[Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán]] and [[Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada]], expanded its operations significantly, engaging in brutal conflicts with rival cartels and the Mexican government. The cartel diversified its drug portfolio to include [[cocaine]], [[methamphetamine]], and [[heroin]], further solidifying its position as a dominant force in the drug trade. Despite numerous arrests and seizures by law enforcement, the cartel has continued to operate, often employing sophisticated smuggling techniques, including tunnels under the US-Mexico border. It has operations in many world regions but primarily in the [[Mexican states]] of Sinaloa, [[Baja California]], [[Durango]], [[Sonora]], and [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]].<ref name="Wilson">{{cite book|last=Freeman |first=Laurie |title=State of Siege:Drug-Related Violence and Corruption in Mexico |publisher=Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars|url=http://www.wilsoncenter.org/news/docs/State_of_Siege_WOLA.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104023412/http://www.wilsoncenter.org/news/docs/State_of_Siege_WOLA.pdf |archive-date=4 November 2006}}</ref><ref name="Organized"/> and presence in other regions in Latin America, as well as cities across the U.S.<ref name="InSightChicago"/><ref name="Diálogo Americas">{{cite news |last=Pelcastre |first=Julieta |date=12 May 2021 |title=Mexican Narcotrafficking Cartels Expand their Control in Colombia |work=Diálogo Americas |url=https://dialogo-americas.com/articles/mexican-narcotrafficking-cartels-expand-their-control-in-colombia/#.Yb5QthPMJUM |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918235443/https://dialogo-americas.com/articles/mexican-narcotrafficking-cartels-expand-their-control-in-colombia/#.Yb5QthPMJUM |archive-date=18 September 2021}}</ref> The [[United States Intelligence Community]] considers the cartel to be the largest and most powerful drug trafficking organization in the world, perhaps more influential than [[Pablo Escobar]]'s [[Medellín Cartel]] of Colombia during its prime.<ref name="Sinaloa Cartel">{{cite web | title=Sinaloa Cartel | website=InSight Crime | date=4 May 2021 | url=https://insightcrime.org/mexico-organized-crime-news/sinaloa-cartel-profile/ | access-date=18 September 2021 | archive-date=18 September 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918203733/https://insightcrime.org/mexico-organized-crime-news/sinaloa-cartel-profile/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Understanding">{{cite book |last=Mallory |first=Stephen L |title=Understanding Organized Crime |publisher=Jones & Bartlett Publishers |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7637-4108-2 |page=67}}</ref> According to the [[National Drug Intelligence Center]] and other sources within the U.S. the Sinaloa Cartel is primarily involved in the distribution of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, [[fentanyl]], [[cannabis]] and [[MDMA]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/02/26/where-7-mexican-drug-cartels-are-active-within-the-u-s/|title=Where 7 Mexican drug cartels are active within the U.S.|first=Niraj|last=Chokshi|date=26 February 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-date=27 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727034950/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/02/26/where-7-mexican-drug-cartels-are-active-within-the-u-s/|url-status=live}}</ref>
As of 20232024, the cartel remains Mexico's most dominant drug cartel.<ref name="Sinaloa Cartel"/><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.insightcrime.org/news/analysis/jalisco-cartel-dominate-mexico/|title = Why the Jalisco Cartel Does Not Dominate Mexico's Criminal Landscape|date = 11 June 2020|access-date = 14 June 2020|archive-date = 14 June 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200614003904/https://www.insightcrime.org/news/analysis/jalisco-cartel-dominate-mexico/|url-status = live}}</ref> After the arrest of [[Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán]] and his son [[Ovidio Guzmán López]] in 2016 and 2023 respectively, the cartel was headed by old-school leader Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada,<ref>{{cite news|title=Mexico's Sinaloa gang grows empire, defies crackdown|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-drugs-idUSTRE70I6UZ20110119|access-date=18 September 2011|work=Reuters|date=19 January 2011|archive-date=12 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312002339/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-drugs-idUSTRE70I6UZ20110119|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as Guzmán's other sons, [[Alfredo Guzmán Salazar]], [[Joaquín Guzmán López]] and [[Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar]],<ref>[https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/tracking-mexicos-cartels-2018 Tracking Mexico's Cartels in 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805052026/https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/tracking-mexicos-cartels-2018 |date=5 August 2018 }}. Scott Stewart, ''Stratfor Tactical Analysis''. 1 February 2018.</ref><ref name="Associated Press">{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/Ovidio-Guzman-arrested-24bca5ce8544bc151e6c821a37b2be41|title=Mexico nabs son of drug lord 'El Chapo' before Biden visit|first1=Maria|last1=Verza|first2=Christopher|last2=Sherman|publisher=Associated Press|date=5 January 2022|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=8 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808020508/https://apnews.com/article/ovidio-guzman-arrested-24bca5ce8544bc151e6c821a37b2be41|url-status=live}}</ref> until 2024 when both Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López were arrested by US authorities in El Paso, Texas.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Top leaders of powerful Sinaloa drug cartel arrested in Texas|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/25/sinaloa-cartel-leaders-arrested|access-date=2024-07-26|website=The Guardian|archive-date=8 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808020547/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/25/sinaloa-cartel-leaders-arrested|url-status=live}}</ref> The cartel has had a significant impact on the [[War on drugs]], both international and local politics, as well as in popular culture. Its influence extends beyond Mexico, with operations in the United States, Latin America, and as far as the Philippines. Despite the arrest of key leaders, the cartel remains a significant player in international drug trafficking, driven by demand for narcotics in the US and around the world.
==History==
On 24 June 2020, Zambada was revealed to be "sick with [[diabetes]]", which reportedly gave ''El Chapo's'' sons more influence over the Sinaloa Cartel.<ref name="newleadership?" /> This also ended an attempt to recruit former high-ranking Mexican drug lords [[Rafael Caro Quintero|Rafael]] and [[Miguel Caro Quintero]] as members of the Sinaloa Cartel due to the refusal of ''El Chapo's'' sons to grant them leadership status.<ref name="newleadership?">{{Cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/mexico/2020/06/24/va-a-caer-antes-que-muera-de-viejo-la-advertencia-de-mike-vigil-a-caro-quintero-el-narco-de-narcos/|title="Va a caer antes de que muera de viejo", la advertencia de Mike Vigil a Caro Quintero, "el Narco de Narcos"|date=24 June 2020 |access-date=28 June 2020|archive-date=2 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902004905/https://www.infobae.com/america/mexico/2020/06/24/va-a-caer-antes-que-muera-de-viejo-la-advertencia-de-mike-vigil-a-caro-quintero-el-narco-de-narcos/|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Zambada's leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel had been willing to negotiate potential leadership for the Caro Quintero brothers due to their histories as bosses in the predecessor organization.<ref name="newleadership?" />
In current times, it iswas believed that while Guzmán's relatives and friends scramblescrambled for marginal leadership positions in the organization, the real top leader iswas still Ismael Zambada whowhom allegedly mediatesmediated power between them and allowsallowed them an umbrella of the organization to work under his reign with seemingly, relative autonomy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Margaritoff |first=Marco |date=2021-10-02 |title=Meet El Mayo, The Shadowy Leader Of El Chapo's Cartel Who's Never Been Caught |url=https://allthatsinteresting.com/ismael-zambada-garcia |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=All That's Interesting |language=en-US |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628071506/https://allthatsinteresting.com/ismael-zambada-garcia |url-status=live }}</ref> As of November 2022, the Chapitos and Zambada factions are rumored to have reconciled their recent differences in order to come together to battle the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.<ref name="rumors">{{cite news |title=Journalist finds evidence of narco-pact between Sinaloa Cartel, Morena |url=https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/narco-pact-sinaloa-cartel-and-morena/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |work=Mexico News Daily |date=7 June 2022 |archive-date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517052314/https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/narco-pact-sinaloa-cartel-and-morena/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
At the time of his arrest on 5 January 2023, ''El Chapo'' son [[Ovidio Guzmán]] was believed to be the leader of the cartel's Chapitos faction.<ref name="Associated Press"/> On September 15, 2023, Ovidio would be extradited to the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-16 |title=US: Mexico extradites Ovidio Guzmán López, son of Sinaloa cartel leader 'El Chapo,' to United States |url=https://apnews.com/article/el-chapo-mexico-united-states-sinaloa-9239796fda8db9cfa09fd65b139032cd |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808020500/https://apnews.com/article/el-chapo-mexico-united-states-sinaloa-9239796fda8db9cfa09fd65b139032cd |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Operations==
Of [[Controlled substance|illicit substances]], the cartel's operations seem to mostly favor the trade of cocaine and [[opioids]], particularly in a distribution hub like [[Chicago]], where demand for methamphetamine is relatively low.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/PRB%20FINAL%20--%20DIR-004-20%20The%20Drug%20Situation%20in%20the%20Chicago%20Field%20Division.pdf|title= The Drug Situation in the Chicago Field Division|date= 11 November 2019|website= www.dea.gov|access-date= 15 December 2021|archive-date= 8 May 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210508084205/https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/PRB%20FINAL%20--%20DIR-004-20%20The%20Drug%20Situation%20in%20the%20Chicago%20Field%20Division.pdf|url-status= live}}</ref> According to the [[U.S. Attorney General]], the Sinaloa Cartel was responsible for importing into the United States and distributing nearly {{convert|200|ST}} of cocaine and large amounts of heroin between 1990 and 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/20/AR2009082001958.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331074421/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/20/AR2009082001958.html|archive-date=31 March 2012|title=U.S. charges 10 accused Mexican drug cartel leaders|agency=Reuters|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=20 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, during the second wave of [[Opioid epidemic in the United States|America's opioid epidemic]] in the mid-2010s, which was driven largely by heroin; the prevalence and trafficking of fentanyl began to increase exponentially leading to the third wave and eventually turning into the deadliest drug epidemic in U.S. history.<ref name="nationalgeographic_vdka21301209">{{cite web |date=17 December 2020 |title=Narco Wars {{!}} Mexico's First Cartel Online |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/shows/narco-wars/episode-guide/season-01/episode-02-mexicos-first-cartel/vdka21382360 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517052312/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/shows/narco-wars/episode-guide/season-01/episode-02-mexicos-first-cartel/vdka21382360 |archive-date=17 May 2023 |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=National Geographic |language=en |format=video}}</ref> Additionally, around 2014 a measurable rise in Colombian cocaine production and global consumption began to increase annually up to the present, currently marking a new high-point for the global use of cocaine.<ref name="United Nations">{{cite news|url=https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2015/July/colombia-survey-2014_-unodc-study-shows-significant-increase-in-coca-leaf-production-in-high-density-areas.html|title=Colombia Survey 2014: UNODC study shows significant increase in coca leaf production in high density areas|date=2 July 2015|work=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime|access-date=23 November 2022|archive-date=23 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123223154/https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2015/July/colombia-survey-2014_-unodc-study-shows-significant-increase-in-coca-leaf-production-in-high-density-areas.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/10/22/658547337/colombia-is-growing-record-amounts-of-coca-the-key-ingredient-in-cocaine|title=Colombia Is Growing Record Amounts Of Coca, The Key Ingredient In Cocaine|date=22 October 2018|work=NPR|access-date=23 November 2022|archive-date=23 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123223155/https://www.npr.org/2018/10/22/658547337/colombia-is-growing-record-amounts-of-coca-the-key-ingredient-in-cocaine|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2019/07/06/cocaine-production-in-colombia-is-at-historic-highs|title=Cocaine production in Colombia is at historic highs|last=Uribe|first=Meta|date=6 July 2019|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=23 November 2022|archive-date=23 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123223155/https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2019/07/06/cocaine-production-in-colombia-is-at-historic-highs|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="InSightColombianCocaine">{{cite web|last=Posada|first=Juan Diego|title=Colombia's Cocaine Keeps On Reaching New Heights: UNODC Report|url=https://insightcrime.org/news/colombia-cocaine-keeps-reaching-new-heights-unodc/|website=InSight Crime|date=30 July 2021|access-date=28 December 2021|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228044325/https://insightcrime.org/news/colombia-cocaine-keeps-reaching-new-heights-unodc/|url-status=live}}</ref> The cartel appears to still have major methamphetamine operations in cities throughout the U.S., such as in [[San Diego]] and [[Atlanta]].<ref name="auto2">{{cite news|title=60 Charged in San Diego-based Sinaloa Cartel Meth Investigation|url=http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2021/06/60-charged-in-san-diego-based-sinaloa.html?m=1|newspaper=[[Borderland Beat]]|date=30 June 2021|access-date=9 December 2021|archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209222653/http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2021/06/60-charged-in-san-diego-based-sinaloa.html?m=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NewsChannel3">{{cite web | title=Major multi-million meth bust alarms Atlanta DEA agents | date=2021-04-29 | url=https://kesq.com/news/2021/10/07/major-multi-million-meth-bust-alarms-atlanta-dea-agents | access-date=10 December 2021 | archive-date=10 December 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210204507/https://kesq.com/news/2021/10/07/major-multi-million-meth-bust-alarms-atlanta-dea-agents/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The CDS as well as other large Mexican cartels have set up major [[Cannabis cultivation|marijuana growing]] operations in the remote forests and [[deserts of California]].<ref name="ABC7 Los Angeles">{{cite web|title=Drug cartels stealing millions of gallons of water for marijuana grows in Antelope Valley: Officials|date=2021-07-07|url=https://abc7.com/marijuana-water-drug-cartels-pot/10866402/|access-date=9 December 2021|archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209042236/https://abc7.com/marijuana-water-drug-cartels-pot/10866402/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Nearly 7 Tons of Marijuana Seized f">{{cite news|title=Nearly 7 Tons of Marijuana Seized from Suspected Cartel Grow Sites in Monterey County, California|url=http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2021/07/nearly-7-tons-of-marijuana-seized-from.html?m=1|newspaper=[[Borderland Beat]]|date=23 July 2021|access-date=9 December 2021|archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209042236/http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2021/07/nearly-7-tons-of-marijuana-seized-from.html?m=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LA County's Largest Drug Bust in Hi">{{cite news|title=LA County's Largest Drug Bust in History Involves Suspected Mexican Cartels|url=http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2021/06/la-countys-largest-drug-bust-in-history.html?m=1|newspaper=[[Borderland Beat]]|date=11 June 2021|access-date=9 December 2021|archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209042245/http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2021/06/la-countys-largest-drug-bust-in-history.html?m=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Territory and presence===
|