El Chapo Sons: Notorious Los Chapitos Want to Build a Weed Business in Mexico as Big and Flashy as the One in California
The four sons of Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, known as "Los Chapitos," reportedly have big plans to take their drug business to another level, and it mainly involves marijuana selling.
According to Business Insider, El Chapo's sons would like to replicate the selling of weed at "beautiful stores" in California and establish similar establishments in Sinaloa, Mexico, where they can sell various cannabis products, from cigarettes to edible items.
The outlet reported that Culiacán, in the state of Sinaloa, now has almost as many marijuana dispensaries as Los Angeles.
An alleged "godfather" of the Sinaloa Cartel, who is in charge of funding the new weed industry, told Business Insider that their goal is to stay away from shady drug dealers who sell weed "in the streets or out of a window."
"Look at the gringos, they are selling this same product in their beautiful stores. That's what we want for the organization," the Sinaloa Cartel "godfather" said.
He noted that their "organization" has already restructured their marijuana business and started a trial-and-error phase in Culiacán as directed by El Chapo's son, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, and his first wife.
At present, the cartel operative said they are focusing on the weed market in Culiacán but aim for a much larger market, and the Los Chapitos has placed "a lot of money" into this business plan.
Over the past decade, more and more states in the United States have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and Mexico is also heading toward legalizing weed. The Sinaloa Cartel reportedly sees an opportunity in it.
Another cartel operative previously told Business Insider that the Los Chapitos were not only investing in producing and branding weed but also in lobbying with Mexico's top politicians to legalize marijuana.
Drug Business of El Chapo Sons' Los Chapitos
The objective of Los Chapitos' marijuana business is also to compete or surpass the producers in the United States.
Los Chapitos have tried a variety of seeds from Europe and Canada, including brands and methods to create the "best marijuana in the world."
Infobae reported that they even recruited a group of five to six men and contacted local producers outside the cartel to carry out this task and to expand the marijuana business.
According to Infobae, El Chapo's sons have around 20 properties where these types of products are manufactured. Some of the properties are reportedly located in a middle-class neighborhood in Culiacan that have different rooms where various processes are made.
El Chapo's sons reportedly had several "facade" premises operating like legal stores in the U.S. where marijuana is being offered.
In the Las Quintas neighborhood, a store looked like a car wash on the outside but sold creams, oils, and edible products with THC, the substance primarily responsible for the effects of marijuana found in the cannabis sativa plant.
Other types of drugs are also reportedly sold in the store, such as LSD or "acid," and crack cocaine. Buyers can pay using cash, bitcoins, or bank transfers.
Authorities in Culiacan have identified around 18 dispensaries where marijuana businesses operate. Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar reportedly receives more than 30% of the revenue from these dispensaries.
El Chapo Sons: Who Are the Los Chapitos?
The Los Chapitos are Joaquin Guzman Lopez, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar. Under their leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel has continued to be one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels.
The U.S. State Department has already offered $5 million rewards for any information that could help federal agents arrest El Chapo's four sons.
The State Department said the Los Chapitos are high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel and are each subject to a federal indictment for their involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Their father's former right-hand man, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, was reportedly the Los Chapitos' internal enemy number one.
El Chapo's sons have also been at odds with their uncle, Aureliano "El Guano" Guzman. El Chapo's brother is also a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Mary Webber
WATCH: El Chapo's Son Captured, Then Released During Shootout in Mexico -From CBS News
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