Cocaine in the United States is now cheaper and purer than in past decades, fueled by the growing dominance of Mexican drug cartels. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), led by Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, has capitalized on law enforcement pressure against fentanyl to expand its reach into cocaine trafficking.
A report from The Wall Street Journal, shows that while fentanyl enforcement has tightened, cocaine production and trafficking have surged. Once considered expensive and less available, cocaine has become more affordable with higher purity levels. Data reveals cocaine use has climbed 154% in western states since 2019 and 19% in eastern states.
The CJNG has emerged as a direct rival to the Sinaloa Cartel, long considered Mexico’s most powerful criminal organization. El Mencho’s network has expanded across continents, becoming a global trafficking empire. Analysts warn that its growing role in supplying cocaine represents a shift in the drug market that threatens U.S. communities already battered by addiction.
While fentanyl deaths remain a top priority for law enforcement, officials acknowledge that a singular focus on synthetic opioids has created an opening for cartels to pour cocaine into the market. The result is a more potent supply reaching American streets at lower costs, increasing risks of addiction, overdose, and family devastation.
