The Sinaloa Cartel is one of the most powerful transnational organized crime groups in the world, known for its notorious drug trafficking and money laundering web originating in Culiacán, Mexico. The purpose of this international organization is not only to carry out illegal activities — such as the aforementioned narcotrafficking, human trafficking, murder, money laundering, and assault — but also creating a mechanism of self-defense and protection for their own kind. The way they keep their criminal operations in business is with a strategic plan that includes investment in stores, deals with authorities, and infiltration of their members. Committing these crimes successfully, gave the Cartel the opportunity to diversify its operations and reach at least seventeen countries. In the eyes of the world, the Cartel is a criminal organization that must be prosecuted, although it is widely known that some governments directly cooperate with the organization or are indulgent with their actions.