Gulf Cartel Controls Turf In Southern Texas, Sheriff Claims: 'Contractors And Subcontractors'

Gangs distributing drugs in some areas of southern Texas are now answering to the Gulf Cartel, according to a local sheriff.

Concretely, Goliad County Sheriff Roy Boyd said during a hearing before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, according to Border Report. He added that the presence of cartels "changed how domestic organizations function," noting they have become "mere contractors and subcontractors" and are now "beholden to act as commanded by their masters."

The official went on to detail that only cartel authorized dealers were allowed to sell high-purity cocaine, with others having to dilute their product by 50% or face retaliation. In this context, the cartel sent undercover buyers to test the purity, and those who didn't comply either faced warnings or began to disappear.

"In total, our contacts on street advised that at least 10 dealers had refused to dilute their product and disappeared. Only one family went public and sought justice for their son. We never found him nor his remains," Boyd described.

He went on to say that cartels have also taken over smuggling routes, and no migrants enter the U.S. without paying a cartel tax.

"As part of that obligation, those people have to be willing to provide labor and other services to pay their debt. Some will pay that money over eight to 13 years; some will pay the debt by smuggling other illegal aliens; some will move illegal aliens and drugs from one area of the interior (of the United States) to another. Others will be placed into forced prostitution or be called upon to provide material support to the unloading or moving of drugs in the areas where they reside," he said.