Inside the Cartel - Part 1

Unraveling Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel

As drug smugglers from the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico sent a never-ending stream of cocaine across the border and into a vast U.S. distribution web in Los Angeles, DEA agents were watching and listening.

First of four parts

Tuesday: The trafficker and the psychic
Wednesday: Clear skies and cocaine
Thursday: Showdown in Sinaloa

Reporter Richard Marosi explains how drug smugglers ply their trade. Click on a question below.

Why do drug smugglers like the Calexico, Calif., port of entry?
How do traffickers conceal their shipments?
Why is there so little drug violence on the U.S. side of the border?
What role do psychics play in cartel operations?
Who reaps the profits from the cocaine economy?
Do U.S. drug enforcement efforts make a difference?By Richard Marosi

Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
July 24, 2011

Reporting from Calexico, Calif.— Never lose track of the load.

It was drilled into everybody who worked for Carlos “Charlieâ€