The Caribbean as a regional scenario of drug trafficking.
The region comprising the Greater Caribbean, i.e., the group of island and territorial states belonging to the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), is today hard hit by drug trafficking and its associated crimes. In this context, to speak of illicit drugs is not only to speak of drug trafficking in the strict sense, but also of high levels of delinquency, criminality, arms trafficking, money laundering and corruption of political systems, among others.
Its special geographic situation is determined by its natural location as a bridge between illicit drug producing and consuming countries. As is well known, the South American region produces most of the world's cocaine, 88%, which is destined for the U.S. and European markets, with an aggregate value of seventy billion dollars (UNODC, 2005). In turn, the largest consumer markets for illicit drugs are the United States and Europe, which makes the Caribbean region a natural corridor for all types of illegal flows. Given that most cocaine is transported by sea, the region is even more vulnerable to maritime trafficking.
Trafficking groups located in Mexico typically charge Colombian traffickers 50% of each shipment to bring their products from Mexico to the United States, while groups in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic offer the same service for as little as 20%.
Araujo's DTO is a multi-ethnic group, some of its members are Latinos from the Caribbean islands organized with males between the ages of 18 and 35 looking to make a quick buck through low-scale drug sales. The group's members are located in the Hawick Avenue/Burton blocks, the group is made up of Latinos who moved from various sectors of Central and South America threatened by taxes and the wars of large drug cartels vying for power on the routes. The presence of ambition in each of the group's members makes them willing to do whatever it takes to make easy money. They operate in the area as the operational arm of the Caribbean island narcos fighting for territory in the big cities of the United States against the Mexican cartels with the support of some Colombian and Venezuelan cartels.
Operationally, DTOs rely on street gangs to distribute product to their customers. This collaboration favors turf wars between rival gangs, such as the Bloods and the Crips, which ensure their participation in the drug trade. These gangs, which make headlines daily, depend on the illegal drug trade to maintain their connections throughout the United States. The money generated by this process, among other factors, attracts young people to the gang lifestyle continuing the cycle of violence on the street.
Narco culture forever
