10 Facts About Mexican Cartels
5. In 2006, then Mexican President Filipe Calderon launched a large-scale anti-cartel operation, employing more than 50,000 troops and police to fight trafficking and go after the cartels. His failure to make any real gains was seen as a major reason for his party’s defeat in the 2012 elections.
6. Big banks launder cartel money and without their cooperation, the cartels wouldn’t be able to operate. Billions of dollars have been laundered through banks like HSBC, which was penalized by the US Department of Justice. The penalty of $1.9 billion was only a slap on the wrist to the megabank.
