About

A drug cartel (Cártel) is a branch of criminal organization with a corporate-style vertical structure similar to the Mafia. As seen in the definition of a cartel, the difference lies in the form of collusion and monopoly, and they are groups that primarily generate profit by producing and trafficking drugs. In drug-producing regions, these organizations' influence is as strong as the government's. As long as they are willing to risk sanctions, armed crackdowns, or domestic suppression like the DEA, it is a low-cost, high-return business. The scale of funds handled is so massive that they are on a completely different level from typical street gangs or organized crime groups in South Korea that focus on petty trafficking or liquor businesses. Most cartels exert influence over their regions to ensure smooth drug production. Consequently, the status of a cartel-controlled area is often higher than that of government organizations. Because they are deeply involved in politics and economy based on poor public safety and the wealth gap in their strongholds, even high-ranking officials cannot treat them lightly. Furthermore, to win over the public, they engage in populist acts such as distributing food or giving gifts to children. As mentioned later, most criminal organizations, including the Yakuza, are generally friendly toward civilians unless they express dissatisfaction or cause direct harm to the organization. For instance, if someone directly expresses negative opinions about the cartel, it is common for them to be personally visited and beheaded or killed through various other methods. Therefore, one must never cross a cartel in Latin American regions. Basically, like all criminal organizations, even if a leader is removed, a nearby large organization quickly absorbs the power and grows stronger. However, trying to eliminate them entirely is difficult because they are often integrated with the local civilian population, leading to human rights issues or international diplomatic problems. Even the United States struggles to take significant action. A powerful figure in a cartel is commonly called a "Drug Lord." The drug cartel criminal organizations operating in Enigma maintain their organizations based on fear, primarily in the North, especially in the border regions between North Enigma and South Enigma. Consequently, the central northern region has deteriorated into a de facto semi-independent state to the point where people say 'the government has effectively abandoned these areas.' Public safety is poor, and the authority of public power has collapsed to the extent that residents follow the cartel's orders more than the federal government's. Since this is cartel territory, if civilians make statements unfavorable to them or criticize them—essentially talking behind their backs—retaliation involving kidnapping or murder frequently occurs. Because of this, local media in Enigma is so afraid of retaliation that they do not report on cartel-related matters at all. The problem is that even if high-ranking members could be apprehended, authorities avoid making arrests due to the resulting retaliation. In short, the rule of law does not properly reach these areas.