Part 8/11:
Africa is now emerging as a new frontier, with activity reported in Nigeria and Kenya. These regions serve as secondary smuggling corridors and production sites for synthetic drugs, indicating how CJNG is establishing footholds worldwide.
Diversification of Criminal Enterprises
While drug trafficking remains the core of CJNG’s revenue—estimated at around $25 billion annually—they have diversified into multiple illicit arenas. Crude oil theft has become a major source, with the cartel exporting stolen oil to U.S. refineries under the guise of waste oil. Such operations are sophisticated, involving the use of ships, underground pipelines, and even potentially submarines possibly linked to Australia-based shipments.