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Medellin Cartel

Reese Masi, Levi Knobloch, Luis Bueno, Connor Wood

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Origins

Pablo Escobar

  • As a child he always wanted to be something big like president. He started to go to college but later on had no money to pay for it so he dropped out. Many say this is what started it off

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  • He started off by stealing cars but didn't stay for long. He eventually started smuggling cigarettes and marijuana during this time and slowly moved to the criminal world

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The Start

  • He saw an opportunity to gain more power and wealth in the underground cocaine market. The demand for cocaine in the US was growing and while working for others he thought he could do the same
  • They started to use their own planes that could fly below radar and large planes
  • They also devised clever ways to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. by putting it in ecuadorian cocoa, chilean wine and blue jeans
  • There are stories saying that they transported 15 tons of cocaine daily, earning a profit of $420 million a week

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Way he used his wealth

  • His family lived in a lavish mansion with swimming pools, artificial lakes, gardens and a private zoo
  • He also had a soccer arena and bullring and it took 700 workers to run the place
  • He also used his money to try to win over the people
    • He used it on community projects such as building churches, sport facilities and housing for the poor
  • He constructed a whole neighborhood called Barrio Pablo Escobar
  • Plata o plomo
    • Meaning that he’d bribe his way or you’ll just die

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Leaders

Jose Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha

  • Known as El Mexicano
  • Bought large amounts of land

Carlos Lehder

  • Neo-nazi
  • Revolutionized their smuggling methods

Los hermanos ochoa

  • Cooperated in manufacturing, distribution and marketing of cocaine

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Territory

  • Based in Colombia
  • Carlos Lehder and George Jung bought island in Bahamas
  • Island used as airport and a stow away for cocaine
  • Lehder convinced weed dealers to join him in northwestern Medellin (2nd largest city in Colombia)
  • Lehder bought personal island called Norman’s Cay
    • Reaped $1 million in 2 days

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Smuggle

  • Began with marijuana
  • More competition for weed, turned to cocaine for more profit
  • Smuggled 15 tons daily
  • Used own planes to smuggle into US
    • Also used: parachutes, mixing products and submarines

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How Much Money Did They Have

  • At its height, they made $22 billion per year
  • Equivalent to $60 million per day
  • $2.5 million per hour
  • Made majority through cocaine smuggling
  • Supplied world with 80% of its cocaine

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Events

  • M-19 counter group: Muerte a Secuestradores (MAS)
    • M-19: political left wing terrorists that would kidnap for ransom
    • “Death to Kidnappers”
  • Colombian Palace of Justice Siege
    • Pending deliberations on the constitutionality of Colombia-US extradition treaty
    • Held Supreme Court Judges hostage
    • Over 6000 criminal documents burnt

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Downfall

  • The murder of Luis Carlos Galan: the favorite for the next presidency
  • La Catedral murders: four of Escobar’s lieutenants tortured and killed in his prison
  • Constant car bombings and kidnappings: Diana Turbay, a journalist who was killed during her botched rescue attempt

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Current State

  • Currently not active
  • Taken over by Cali Cartel after death of Pablo Escobar
  • Remnants of the Medellin Cartel are still present everywhere, including his abandoned Florida Mansion

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Citations

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Why the Fall Of the Medellin Cartel Failed To Stop the Flow Of Drugs, According To a

Dea Agent Who Hunted Escobar Christopher Woody - https://www.businessinsider.com/cartels-took-medellin-cartel-place-after-pablo-escobars-death-2017-9

Origin Of the Medellín Cartel

Medellín historia - https://www.medellinabrazasuhistoria.com/origin-of-the-medellin-cartel/?lang=en