Arizona's Role in the Sinaloa Cartel Conflict

The ongoing conflict within the Sinaloa cartel, one of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations, has persisted for over a year and a half, fueled significantly by firearms trafficked from the United States, particularly Arizona. This state has surpassed Texas to become the leading source of guns seized in Mexico, with 62% of firearms traced to recent U.S. purchases originating from Arizona in 2024. The violence escalated following the detention of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán's son in July 2024, leading to a violent power struggle between factions loyal to Zambada and those aligned with Guzmán's sons. The conflict has resulted in approximately 5,000 deaths or disappearances, with Mexican security forces seizing nearly 5,000 firearms in Sinaloa alone, accounting for about 20% of all guns confiscated in the country during this period.

The Guardian

Arizona's attorney general, Kris Mayes, highlighted the significant issue of gun trafficking, stating, “We have an enormous problem with gun trafficking by the Mexican drug cartels from Arizona down into Mexico.” The state's lenient firearm purchasing laws facilitate the recruitment of "straw purchasers," who are Americans hired to buy guns for cartels. Recent indictments have targeted a gun-trafficking ring that acquired over 330 firearms, many of which were trafficked into Mexico. The demand for these weapons has surged, particularly for rifles like the AR-15 and AK-47, resulting in increased prices and commissions for traffickers.

The Guardian

The concentration of traced firearms has shifted, with the majority now coming from Arizona, particularly the Phoenix area, as noted by John Lindsay-Poland, coordinator of the Stop US Arms to Mexico project. This marks a significant change from previous years when Texas and Tamaulipas were the primary sources of guns found in Mexico. The proximity of Arizona to the Mexican state of Sonora, which ranks second in gun seizures, further underscores the region's role in the trafficking network.

The Guardian

In response to the escalating violence and gun trafficking, the Mexican government has initiated a lawsuit against five Arizona gun shops accused of facilitating the illegal flow of firearms. Additionally, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called upon former President Donald Trump to assist in curbing the influx of illegal weapons into Mexico. Mayes emphasized the dual challenge posed by both firearms and fentanyl trafficking, stating, “Arizona is the fentanyl funnel for the rest of the [US], and it’s also where firearms are being funneled down into Mexico.”

The Guardian

While the data indicates a clear trend of increasing gun trafficking from Arizona, discrepancies exist regarding the exact numbers of firearms seized and the specific dynamics of the cartel conflict. The ongoing nature of the violence and the complexity of the trafficking networks make it difficult to ascertain the full scope of the issue.

The Guardian

• “We have an enormous problem with gun trafficking by the Mexican drug cartels from Arizona down into Mexico,” — Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General

The Guardian

• “The traced guns [from 2024] with a short ‘time to crime’ are very concentrated in the county where Phoenix is located,” — John Lindsay-Poland, Coordinator, Stop US Arms to Mexico project

The Guardian

• “this is just the tip of the iceberg” — Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General

The Guardian

• “Arizona is the fentanyl funnel for the rest of the [US], and it’s also where firearms are being funnelled down into Mexico,” — Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General

The Guardian