The U.S. Treasury Department has revealed that the Gulf drug cartel, a notorious criminal organization, is exploiting illegal red snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico to generate significant profits. The cartel, based in the border cities of Reynosa and Matamoros, Mexico, is using fishing boats not only for drug and migrant smuggling but also to harvest the commercially valuable yet vulnerable red snapper, officials announced Tuesday.
A Lucrative Operation
The cartel’s fishing operations, often launched from Playa Bagdad on Mexico’s Gulf Coast, rely on small boats known as lanchas. These vessels cross into U.S. waters to fish for red snapper and shark species, which are abundant due to strict American conservation measures. The illegal catch is then transported back to Mexico, where it is sold locally and sometimes shipped back to the U.S. for resale, undercutting legitimate American fishing industries.
“This activity earns millions a year for lancha camps,” the Treasury Department said, adding that the methods used — such as long lines with baited hooks — also lead to the unintentional killing of other marine species.
Sanctions Announced
In response to the cartel’s illegal activities, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on five individuals associated with the Gulf cartel’s fishing operations:
- Ildelfonso Carrillo Sapien (El Chivo)
- Raul Decuir Garcia (La Burra)
- Ismael Guerra Salinas (El Comandante)
- Omar Guerra Salinas (Samorano)
- Francisco Javier Sierra Angulo (El Borrado)
The sanctioned individuals include local cartel leaders and fishing camp owners in Playa Bagdad. The sanctions block their U.S. assets and prohibit American entities from conducting business with them.
Longstanding Concerns Over Illegal Fishing
Illegal fishing by Mexican vessels in U.S. waters has been a persistent problem for years. In 2022, the U.S. government banned Mexican fishing boats from entering American ports, citing Mexico’s failure to curb illegal fishing. These vessels frequently use prohibited equipment, such as long lines and gillnets, which not only harm fish populations but also endanger other marine life like sharks.
The U.S. Coast Guard has apprehended numerous Mexican boats engaged in illegal fishing, including repeat offenders. A 2018 report revealed that nearly five tons of snapper imported into the U.S. from Mexico may have included illegally harvested fish.
Cartel Diversification
The Gulf cartel’s involvement in illegal fishing is part of a broader trend of criminal organizations diversifying their revenue streams. In recent months, the U.S. Treasury has sanctioned cartels for activities ranging from drug trafficking and human smuggling to fuel theft and timeshare scams.
Despite the crackdown, the illegal fishing trade poses a significant challenge to marine conservation and economic fairness. U.S. fishermen are required to follow strict seasonal limits to protect species like red snapper, while cartels exploit these regulations for profit.
A Call to Action
The Treasury Department’s actions underscore the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities to combat illegal fishing and the broader criminal enterprises linked to cartels. As sanctions take effect, it remains to be seen how effective they will be in curbing the cartel’s activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
