No blood or shootings: how the narco infiltrated TikTok

Far from the blood and the gunshots, the Drug traffickers came to TikTok to lure young people before the luxury exhibition and, even, with possibilities to recruit them or accept the sale of drugs.

Although the so-called “narcomarketing»Was inaugurated in Mexico with a video of Jalisco Next Generation Cartel (CJNG) in May of last year; The dynamics of this network in recent months have shown that it can be useful to expand the number of criminal groups.

On the other hand, users can have an informal contact channel to inquire about the cartel distributor in the United States, in Paris or in Holland. In addition to accepting shipments through those believed to be contract killers of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes The Ismael Zambada Garcia, May, but they like to post content like they already did on other social networks.

A work by journalist Karol Suárez for The mail journal picked up the narco extension on TikTok and pointed how the criminal strategy has been adapted to reach the new generations.

If digital platforms are used to send threats to rivals, with the Chinese site of short videos, it is possible to show the ostentatious side of the narco.

“[TikTok se usa para] generate an image of luxury and glamor, to show the “ benefits ” of joining criminal activitiesSecurity analyst David Saucedo commented to Suárez.

According to Saucedo, they favor pictures with money, parties, heavy weapons and exotic animals like tigers. With this, the specialist noticed messages of incitement to join criminal groups.

When someone types cartel names into the TikTok search engine or other networks, the same appears from the hallways, photographs and videos of narco culture located in the digital guts.

Whether the filter is by tags, users, date or the most important material. This content circulates in cyberspace with thousands of reproductions, that is, thousands of staves.

The Venezuelan correspondent points out that about 35,000 children and adolescents have been recruited by criminal groups in Mexico, according to the Children’s Rights Network.

“The cartels will do whatever it takes to grow their multibillion dollar business,” said Derek Maltz, a former Drug Enforcement Administration agent (DEA).

For this former official there is no doubt that social networks, so used by young people and, in particular, TikTok, they are a recruitment tool.

When you search for keywords like “new generation jalisco”, “mencho” or “sinaloa cartel”, videos of hit men making drugs, or cars parked in convoys with armed subjects, as well as luxury vehicles appear. Something that is almost still in these clips is the narco race in the background.

While in the comments you can read users requesting local contact in the Netherlands, on the price of the drug and how to have a private conversation, possibly, to arrange a shipment. In addition, some ask that their applications be outsourced.

For the former DEA agent, cartels need new recruits because their business is booming and will continue to grow. Derek Maltz said it was a promotion of terrorism on a global level, because these criminal groups are responsible for the most devastating violence.

In the dynamics of drug trafficking Not only consumers in the United States are dying, but also the young hit men who are forced to work for organized crime.

“I’m sure the cartels would be successful in promoting their products on TikTok. Without a doubt, TikTok reportedly has the ability to penetrate areas of the white population that they have yet to reach”David Saucedo added to reach generations of Americans who are fascinated by this content and these organizations.

Even if the cyber police would be responsible for removing these videos, they remain. On the one hand, the effort to pay attention to it is unclear and, on the other hand, parents must be vigilant about narco culture in social networks, highlights the work of Karol Suárez.

TikTok has removed many #CartelTikTok videos, points out the post picked up by USA today, But this is a very difficult task with millions of users sharing them and making them viral.

The company told the reporter that it is committed to working with law enforcement to combat organized criminal activity. In accordance with their terms and conditions, they remove items that promote illegal content.

Finally, the work of Karol Suárez underlines that in reality, what is posted on TikTok is a disguise for drug trafficking. Well, analyst David Saucedo points out that young narco employees are not in comfort and luxury.

“The new soldiers within the criminal organization they are recruited to be traffickers, informers or contract killers. The risk is extremely high as these organizations have to confront the authorities and other enemies. His life in the organization is generally extremely short, ”he said.

These recordings arrived at TikTok after a boat chase went viral in the United States. As the video reproduction increased, more similar videos were recommended to users. And it was then that the clips with exotic animals and extravagant riches began to become popular.

Falko Ernst, analyst for Mexico at the International Crisis Group, pointed out The New York Times last December, that the production of these recordings could be carried out by young hired killers eager to show their spoils of war.

Although anyway, he says, the purpose of the messages is not distracted; They seek to attract an army of young people willing to give their lives to get closer to glory. Gangs, Ernst pointed out, depend on this “sea of ​​young people”.

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