Gulf Cartel Profits From Illegal Red Snapper Fishing Network, Sparking International Crackdown
The US Department of the Treasury has announced unprecedented sanctions and launched a major investigation into several Mexican drug cartels for their involvement in what officials are calling “historically record levels of poaching” in the Gulf of Mexico. Since 2020, cartels have defiantly caught more than $300 million worth of Red Snapper, a prized delicacy reigning from Gulf Coast tables to New York City restaurants.
The cartels have crafted a vast, clandestine Red Snapper fishing network, employing nearly 12,000 fishermen and over 200 small businesses in its operation. Fresh and frozen fish traverse a complex supply chain, ultimately landing on grocery store shelves and restaurant menus across North America. In New York City, for example, a whole roasted Red Snapper could set a diner back $45 to $60 per serving. The average price per piece of fresh fish is around $20.
The sheer scale of the illegal fishing operation has alarmed environmentalists and government officials alike. Experts believe if left unchecked, the uncontrolled fishing of Red Snapper could lead to the species’ complete extinction within a few years. In stark contrast, the US states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, including Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, strictly enforce Red Snapper catch quotas, safeguarding the species from unsustainable exploitation.
Meanwhile, on the Mexican side of the Gulf, cartels exploit lax regulations and widespread corruption. Criminal organizations effortlessly bribe police and supervising agencies tasked with monitoring fishing compliance. This disregard for conservation laws has fueled the cartel’s illicit profits.
The US Department of the Treasury has called upon the US Congress to take swift and decisive action against the cartel’s activities. This includes pushing for the implementation of harsh sanctions against all fishing vessels registered in Mexico, effectively disrupting the cartels’ lucrative smuggling operations.
The department has also publicly stated its commitment to a deeper investigation into the activities of the Gulf Cartel, identified as the primary beneficiary of this illicit fishery.
While the Red Snapper exploitation highlights a new front in cartel organized crime, it also underscores a long-standing issue impacting other marine life. Reports indicate that due to rampant poaching, there are nearly no large sharks remaining on the Mexican sides of the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Their population has been steadily declining for over a century, primarily due to the increasing; demand for shark fin soup.
How do drug cartels utilize existing smuggling networks to facilitate Red Snapper fishing?
## Interview: Red Snapper Smuggling & Drug Cartels
**Anchor:** Joining us today is Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a marine biologist and expert on illegal fishing practices in the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Rodriguez, we’ve seen shocking news recently about drug cartels profiting off Red Snapper fishing. Can you shed some light on how this operation works?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** Absolutely. This is a deeply troubling development. What we’re seeing is the exploitation of a valuable resource by criminal organizations for incredible profit. [[1](https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2024/11/27/u-s–says-a-drug-cartel-is-behind-problem-of-illegal-fishing)]. The cartels are already using boats for drug and migrant smuggling, and they’ve realized these vessels can be used to catch massive amounts of Red Snapper, a highly prized fish that fetches high prices in markets across North America.
**Anchor:** You mentioned high prices. How extensive is this smuggling network?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** It’s disturbingly large. Reports indicate the cartels employ thousands of fishermen and have entangled hundreds of businesses in their supply chain. They’ve created a complex system to move the Red Snapper from the Gulf to markets as far as New York City.
**Anchor:** The US Department of the Treasury has announced sanctions and launched an investigation. What kind of impact will this have?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** It’s a crucial step in the right direction. These sanctions target the cartels’ finances, hoping to disrupt their operations and send a strong message that this illegal activity will not be tolerated. The investigation itself is also vital to understanding the full scope of the network and identifying those responsible.
**Anchor:** This situation raises serious concerns about the sustainability of Red Snapper populations. What are the long-term consequences of this kind of poaching?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** This type of unregulated, large-scale fishing is incredibly harmful to the Red Snapper population.
Red Snapper are already a vulnerable species, and these unsustainable fishing practices can devastate their numbers, impacting the entire ecosystem. It’s imperative to crack down on this illegal activity to protect the future of Red Snapper and the health of the Gulf of Mexico.
**Anchor:** Thank you, Dr. Rodriguez, for sharing your expert insights on this serious issue.
