How Fentanyl Is Synthesized in Mexico
The difficulty of sourcing finished fentanyl from China has Mexican groups acquire precursor chemicals to synthesize fentanyl themselves.
Size and Scope of the Meth Industry in Mexico
While fentanyl dominates headlines, Mexico has continued to produce colossal tons of methamphetamine which floods the United States.
Making Synthetic Drugs: A Primer*
The heavy regulation placed on chemical precursors used for meth and fentanyl has seen drug traffickers turn to pre-precursors instead.
Precursors and Mexico’s Synthetic Drug Trade: Summary and Major Findings
InSight Crime's new report shows the inner workings of Mexico's synthetic drugs trade and how criminal groups have profited from it.
Matamoros, a Symptom of Mexico's Larger Illness
The state of Tamaulipas may not top Mexico's violence rankings, but the Gulf Cartel's fragmentation is raising concerns.
Methamphetamine Production in Mexico Is Toxic for the Environment
In Sinaloa, Mexico, chemicals used for methamphetamine production are damaging the environment and, it appears, the health of locals.
How Black Market Ear Tags Help Flow of Contraband Cattle
Cattle from Mexico and the Central American nations of Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua help feed the domestic beef markets of each of these countries. The processed byproducts of some of…
Elite Unit's Closure Further Evidence of Reshuffling of US-Mexico Security Cooperation
The Mexican government's shuttering of a special criminal investigative unit that worked with US anti-drug agents has added new cracks in a security relationship that once formed the foundation of…
Mexico Claims Premature Victory After Troops Deployed to Calm Nuevo Laredo
According to the Mexican president, the recent arrest of the alleged leader of the Northeast Cartel followed by a major military deployment along the US border means the country's security…
The Three Criminal Fronts Sparking Violence in Sonora, Mexico
Murders have spiked in Mexico's northern state of Sonora, thanks to the volatile mix of a veteran drug trafficker's alleged return, internal disputes within the Sinaloa Cartel, and an offensive…
The Next Generation of Criminal Groups Driving Violence in Mexico
Mexico's process of criminal fragmentation has been a slow burn. Many of the country's mightiest criminal groups have been unable to stay united, either due to internal strife, incursions from…
Extermination Sites - The New Depths of Mexico's Disappearance Crisis
Families combing for clues about their vanished loved ones at recently discovered extermination sites in northern Mexico have turned to local cartel leaders for help - revealing their desperation to…
About InSight Crime
All Eyes on Ecuador
Our coverage of organized crime in Ecuador continues to be a valuable resource for international and local news outlets. Internationally, Reuters cited our 2022 Homicide Round-Up,…
Open Position: Social Media and Engagement Strategist
InSight Crime is looking for a Social Media and Engagement Strategist who will be focused on maintaining and improving InSight Crime’s reputation and interaction with its audiences through publishing activities…
Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception
Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…
InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues
For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…
InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited
We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.
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