America Loves Cocaine Again—Mexico’s New Drug King Cashes In
At a Glance: Cocaine Addiction and Recovery
- Cocaine use is rising again in the U.S., fueled by high purity and lower prices.
- Cartels like CJNG are expanding supply routes as fentanyl enforcement increases.
- Cocaine carries serious health risks, including heart problems and overdose.
- Nova Recovery Center offers medical detox, evidence-based therapy, and relapse prevention.
Individualized treatment plans and holistic care support long-term sobriety.
Table of Contents
A U.S. fentanyl crackdown left space for “El Señor Mencho” to move cocaine north by the ton.
A U.S. fentanyl crackdown left space for “El Señor Mencho” to move cocaine north by the ton. Across North America, cocaine is back: prices are lower, purity high, and supply steady.
In this climate, Nemesio “Mencho” Oseguera—boss of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)—has expanded his reach. Analysts say the focus on synthetic opioids squeezed rivals and opened lanes for the cocaine trade to grow. CJNG is now a central broker moving powder from South America to the United States.
Oseguera’s rise rests on a simple mix: record production in Colombia, protected routes through Mexico, and a U.S. market edging away from fentanyl. His lieutenants use boats, semi‑submersibles, highways, and border tunnels to keep the flow moving. Officials on both sides say pressure on fentanyl networks left room for other drugs to meet demand. In that space, CJNG has pushed tons of cocaine north each year.
Millennium Health reports a jump in cocaine positives in the western United States since 2019, while fentanyl positives have eased since mid‑2023. Retail cocaine is cheaper and unusually pure. Analysts say CJNG is exploiting the moment with logistics that keep prices low and shipments steady.
Oseguera spent decades building CJNG from a local outfit into a transnational enterprise that taxes goods, controls territory, and diversifies revenue. U.S. authorities have posted a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture, yet he remains out of reach.
What changed recently was the balance with the Sinaloa cartel. Sinaloa pioneered the fentanyl business and long dominated key crossings. The arrest of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, splits among his sons—the “Chapitos”—and friction with the faction led by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada weakened Sinaloa. CJNG filled gaps, routing more cocaine and methamphetamine to U.S. buyers. For many new users, cocaine carries a different stigma than fentanyl; cheaper, purer product has made the choice easier.
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Landmark drug deal
Late last year, emissaries for CJNG and the Chapitos met in Nayarit. People familiar with the meeting describe a pragmatic pact: CJNG would provide weapons, cash, and fighters when needed; in return, Sinaloa operators would grant access to long‑standing smuggling routes and border tunnels. The pact also divided the U.S. market by product—Chapitos on fentanyl, CJNG on cocaine and meth. Since then, investigators report tons of cocaine and record amounts of meth crossing through tunnels and related routes.
Colombia’s record output adds fuel. With more coca processed, wholesale prices fell. CJNG uses speedboats and so‑called narco‑subs to reach Ecuador and the Mexican Pacific coast, where loads are broken down and moved north.
Interdiction has not slowed the trade enough to change the market. Smuggling networks shift pickup points, vary routes, and use corrupt officials to keep loads moving.
Family ties
CJNG runs on kinship and loyalty. Oseguera married into an allied family; brothers, in‑laws, and trusted lieutenants manage weapons, finances, and communications. The group drills on discipline, including device swaps and travel protocols to avoid tracking.
CJNG’s revenue extends beyond drugs. In parts of Jalisco and neighboring states, the group levies taxes on everyday goods, muscles into public works, and profits from stolen or untaxed fuel. In recent years it also ran call‑center schemes that defrauded U.S. victims.
Sinaloa’s internal war widened CJNG’s opening and drew troops and attention while CJNG expanded. Resources shifted to immigration processing at the border, and both governments pursued arrests and extraditions.
Public‑health numbers underscore the market’s pull. Cocaine positives rose sharply in the West even as fentanyl positives began to dip. Cocaine still carries cardiovascular and adulteration risks, but many buyers view it as less acutely deadly, and lower prices boost demand.
Authorities on both sides continue to hunt Oseguera. Interdictions continue, but every seizure also signals the scale of the flow. The organization plans for losses, spreads risk across routes, and invests in supplier and official relationships.
As long as coca harvests stay high and U.S. demand persists, the economics that fund CJNG remain intact. Debate in the U.S. swings between tougher enforcement and harm‑reduction strategies. For now, cocaine is abundant, prices are down, purity is high, and CJNG is positioned to profit through logistics and alliances with Sinaloa. Whether this phase lasts depends on Andean cultivation, cartel alliances, policy shifts, and rivals’ recovery.
How Nova Recovery Center Supports Lasting Recovery from Cocaine Addiction
Nova Recovery Center provides comprehensive treatment for individuals struggling with cocaine addiction and abuse by addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of recovery. The center offers medically supervised detox to help clients safely manage withdrawal symptoms and begin treatment with a strong foundation. Through evidence-based therapies, clients learn to identify triggers, build healthier coping skills, and develop strategies for long-term sobriety.
Nova’s individualized treatment plans are designed to meet the unique needs of each person, ensuring they receive the right level of care. In addition to clinical services, clients benefit from peer support, group therapy, and 12-step programs that encourage accountability and connection. Holistic approaches, such as fitness, mindfulness, and life skills training, are also incorporated to support overall well-being.
With a focus on relapse prevention, Nova Recovery Center prepares clients for real-world challenges and helps them build a sustainable recovery lifestyle. By combining medical care, therapeutic support, and community resources, Nova empowers individuals to reclaim their lives from cocaine addiction and pursue lasting recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cocaine Addiction, Trafficking, and Treatment
What are the signs of cocaine addiction?
Common signs include intense cravings, binges followed by “crash” fatigue, concentration problems, agitation, sleep changes, and neglect of responsibilities; physical signs can include nasal irritation (snorting), weight loss, and cardiovascular strain. Screening and a clinical evaluation are the best way to confirm a cocaine use disorder.
Is cocaine addictive?
Yes. Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant and a Schedule II substance in the U.S.; repeated use can lead to cocaine use disorder and overdose risk.
What are the risks of a cocaine overdose?
Overdose can cause heart attack, stroke, dangerous arrhythmias, overheating, and seizures. Death risk increases when cocaine is combined or contaminated with potent opioids (e.g., fentanyl).
How long does cocaine stay in your system?
Detection depends on the test and frequency of use. Urine tests often detect the metabolite benzoylecgonine for ~2–4 days (longer in heavy use), while hair testing can detect drug history for much longer; blood and saliva windows are shorter.
Are there FDA‑approved medications for cocaine addiction?
No. There are currently no FDA‑approved medications for stimulant (including cocaine) use disorders. Evidence‑based behavioral therapies—especially contingency management and cognitive‑behavioral therapy—improve outcomes.
Is cocaine use increasing in the U.S.?
Recent federal data show cocaine‑involved overdose deaths rose from 2018 to 2023, driven largely by co‑involvement with opioids. Trends vary by region and population.
What does “cocaine positivity” mean in lab reports (e.g., Millennium Health)?
It refers to definitive urine drug tests detecting cocaine or its metabolites. Millennium Health’s Signals Reports track national positivity trends and polysubstance patterns; recent volumes describe a “fourth wave” of fentanyl with stimulants like cocaine.
What is the CJNG cartel?
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is a Mexico‑based transnational criminal organization involved in drug trafficking (including cocaine and methamphetamine) and other crimes; U.S. agencies list it among major cartel threats.
Who is “El Mencho”?
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (“El Mencho”) is identified by the DEA as the leader of CJNG and is a wanted fugitive with a posted reward for information leading to his capture.
What is the Sinaloa Cartel, and who are “Los Chapitos”?
The Sinaloa Cartel is another major Mexico‑based trafficking organization. “Los Chapitos” are sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán linked to a Sinaloa faction; recent U.S. actions and court filings describe their roles in large‑scale trafficking.
What are “narco‑subs”?
Semi‑submersible or low‑profile vessels used by traffickers to move cocaine at sea. Interceptions and arrests tied to these craft continue to be reported by authorities.
What are cross‑border “drug tunnels”?
Illicit tunnels under the U.S.–Mexico border are built by criminal groups to smuggle contraband; CBP and DHS continue to detect and remediate them, including sophisticated recent finds.
What is the DEA’s National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA)?
The NDTA is DEA’s annual strategic assessment of illicit drug threats, including trafficking trends and cartel activity impacting the U.S.
What are the health dangers of ongoing cocaine abuse?
Beyond overdose, chronic use is linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, mood and anxiety disorders, and temperature‑regulation problems that raise overdose risk.
Why is fentanyl sometimes found with cocaine?
Drug supplies are often adulterated or co‑used, increasing overdose risk; reports document fentanyl’s growing presence alongside stimulants, including cocaine.
What enforcement actions target cartel revenue beyond drugs?
Recent U.S. Treasury actions describe fuel‑theft and oil‑smuggling networks tied to cartels and outline financial typologies to disrupt them.
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Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Cocaine addiction and related health issues should be managed with the support of a licensed healthcare provider. Do not attempt to detox from cocaine or address mental health concerns without medical supervision. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, worsening mental health, or thoughts of self-harm, call 911 immediately if you are in the United States. For free, confidential mental health support, you can dial 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
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- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (2024, May 24). National Drug Threat Assessment 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2025, from
https://www.dea.gov/documents/2024/2024-05/2024-05-24/national-drug-threat-assessment-2024. - Tanz, L. J., Miller, K. D., Dinwiddie, A. T., et al. (2025). Drug overdose deaths involving stimulants—United States, January 2018–June 2024. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 74(32), 491–499. Retrieved October 3, 2025, from
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https://www.millenniumhealth.com/news/signals-report-7/. - United States Coast Guard. (2025, April 9). Coast Guard offloads nearly $510 million in illegal narcotics interdicted in Eastern Pacific Ocean. Retrieved October 3, 2025, from
https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4150439/coast-guard-offloads-nearly-510-million-in-illegal-narcotics-interdicted-in-eas/. - U.S. Department of the Treasury. (2023, November 30). Treasury takes third action against CJNG timeshare fraud network centered in Puerto Vallarta. Retrieved October 3, 2025, from
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1936. - United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Nemesio Oseguera‑Cervantes. Retrieved October 3, 2025, from
https://www.dea.gov/fugitives/nemesio-oseguera-cervantes. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (2013, June 26; updated November 18, 2024). US, Mexican authorities shut down smuggling tunnel under construction in Nogales. Retrieved October 3, 2025, from
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