Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. Reaching primary sources and getting the real story involve extensive fieldwork. Please donate. Every dollar supports our mission.
DONATE NOW
Criminal Actors
Histories and profiles of organized crime groups, insurgencies, street gangs, vigilantes and the criminal actors that lead them.
Beltrán Leyva Organization
BELTRAN LEYVA ORG
/
OCTOBER 6, 2021
The Beltrán Leyva Organization was run by the Beltrán Leyva brothers, who are now either dead or serving prison time.
Mario Ramirez Treviño, alias 'X20'
GULF CARTEL
/
2016-11-17
Mario Ramirez Treviño, alias X20, was a former police officer and headed the Gulf Cartel in northeastern Mexico.
Alejandro 'Omar' Treviño Morales, alias 'Z42'
MEXICO
/
JULY 17, 2021
Alejandro "Omar" Treviño Morales, alias "Z42," was one of the leader of Mexican cartel, the Zetas, and was captured 2015.
Peru Profile
PERU
/
2023-03-20
Peru is one of the world's major coca-cultivating nations. The presence of international criminal groups appears to be expanding there.
Moris Alexander Bercián Manchón, alias 'El Barney'
EL SALVADOR
/
MARCH 9, 2020
Moris Alexander Bercián Manchón, alias "El Barney," is one of six MS13 members in El Salvador sanctioned by the United…
Knights Templar
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
/
MAY 5, 2020
Like the Familia Michoácana, the Knights Templar uses religious imagery to project themselves as more than a drug cartel.
Juárez Cartel
JUAREZ CARTEL
/
JULY 10, 2020
The Juárez Cartel’s rivalry the Sinaloa Cartel helped turn Juarez into one of the most violent cities on Earth.
First Capital Command - PCC
BRAZIL
/
MARCH 9, 2020
The First Capital Command (Primeiro Comando da Capital – PCC) was inspired by the Red Command (Comando Vermelho). Both criminal…
Red Command
BRAZIL GROUPS
/
JULY 17, 2022
The Red Command (CV) is one of Brazil's main criminal forces, dominating drug trafficking in much of the country and…
Antônio Francisco Bonfim Lopes, alias 'Nem'
AMIGOS DOS AMIGOS
/
JULY 18, 2022
Antônio Francisco Bonfim Lopes, alias “Nem,” led the Amigos dos Amigos gang in Rocinha, one of the largest favelas in…
Latest
Paraguayan Prosecutors Indict Senator Linked to Transatlantic Cocaine Trade
COCAINE EUROPE
/
29 MAY 2023
The impeachment of Paraguayan Congressman Erico Galeano for connections to drug trafficking shows progress against impunity in the country.
Guatemala Elites Flex Muscle, Excluding Leading Presidential Contender
ELITES AND CRIME
/
26 MAY 2023
Carlos Pineda, the leading candidate in Guatemala's presidential elections, has been removed from the race on a technicality.
Brazil's PCC Complicates Fight Against Illegal Mining in Amazon
BRAZIL
/
26 MAY 2023
The PCC appears to be providing support to illegal miners in the Yanomami territory in Brazil's northern state of Roraima.
Investigations
Chapters
#SupportFreePress
Support Our Work
Stay Informed with Weekly InSight
Get fresh updates on organized crime from across the region delivered to your inbox.
SUBSCRIBE