Drug cartel - Type of criminal organization.

 Drug cartel - Type of criminal organization.

The term drug cartel is used to describe a group who makes, distributes and sells illegal drugs on a national level. Drug cartels are often doing so across multiple countries. Mostly, the cartels in areas like Mexico and South America bring drugs to North America.

The basic structure of a drug cartel is the following:[source?]

Falcons: Considered the "eyes and ears" of the cartel. Falcons are typically the lowest rank of drug cartel members. They are scouts, responsible for reporting activities of the police, military, and rival groups.

Hitmen: These members are armed. They are responsible for carrying out assassinations, kidnappings, and theft. They are also responsible for defending their turf from rival groups and the military.

Lieutenants: The second highest position in a drug cartel. They are typically allowed to carry out low-profile murders without permission from their bosses. They are also responsible for supervising the hitmen below them.

Drug Lords: The highest position in a drug cartel. They are responsible for supervising the drug industry, appointing leaders, making alliances with rival groups, and planning high profile murders.

There are other members in drug cartels, typically those who are drug planters and suppliers. They are critical parts of a drug cartels operation. They are technically not considered part of the logistics in drug cartels.