The Intelligence Division’s Role in Tracing the Rise and Fall of the Colombian Cartels

Supervisory Intelligence Analysts Craig Estancona, Ben Sanborn, Jay Cliff, and Pat Kerner provide a history of the formation of the violent Medellin Cartel and the more “businesslike” Cali Cartel as well as the role of DEA Intelligence in targeting and dismantling these groups. They also discuss the changes DEA made to more effectively target these drug trafficking organizations, including the establishment of DEA HQ drug desks to centralize responsibility and coordination. Through their research and analysis, these analysts pieced together information that identified the worldwide scope of Colombian cartel activities and the identities of the primary cartel members.