Cocaine prices in the United States have reached historic lows while maintaining high purity levels, largely attributed to the rise of a new Mexican drug lord. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal on October 3, 2023, the influx of affordable cocaine can be traced back to Nemesio Oseguera, also known as “Mencho,” who has emerged as a powerful figure in the global drug trade.
Oseguera, aged 59, has transformed the Jalisco New Generation Cartel into a formidable transnational criminal organization. Over the past several decades, he has effectively challenged the dominance of the Sinaloa Cartel, which has been weakened by intensified law enforcement actions against synthetic opioids like fentanyl. As a result, the Jalisco cartel has assumed control of the cocaine market, positioning itself as the leading drug syndicate worldwide.
The Sinaloa Cartel, once the undisputed leader in drug trafficking, has faced significant setbacks due to aggressive crackdowns by the U.S. government. The administration’s focus on combating fentanyl trafficking has inadvertently opened the door for Oseguera’s operations. This shift has propelled him to the forefront of the cocaine trade, creating a new landscape for drug distribution in the U.S.
Cocaine use has surged dramatically across the country in recent years. Data from Millennium Health indicates a staggering 154% increase in cocaine use in the western United States since 2019, alongside a 19% rise in the eastern regions. This rise in consumption coincides with a decline in fentanyl use, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Legislative measures such as the HALT Fentanyl Act, signed by President Donald Trump in July, aim to strengthen the government’s response to opioid trafficking. The act classifies all fentanyl analogues as Schedule I substances, giving law enforcement expanded powers to combat the distribution of synthetic opioids.
In response to the escalating drug trafficking problem, the U.S. military has increased its operations in the Caribbean. Recently, U.S. Southern Command conducted an operation targeting a suspected drug-trafficking vessel from Venezuela. This operation resulted in the deaths of three individuals aboard, marking the second military engagement in the region under Trump’s directive to dismantle Latin American drug cartels.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth emphasized the United States’ commitment to combatting drug trafficking: “Narco-terrorists are enemies of the United States — actively bringing death to our shores. We will stop at nothing to defend our homeland and our citizens.”
As the cocaine market evolves, the dynamics of drug trafficking continue to shift. The rise of Oseguera and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel has not only altered the landscape of drug distribution but also intensified the ongoing battle between law enforcement and narcotics operations in the United States. With cocaine now more accessible than ever, the implications for public health and safety remain a pressing concern.
