Drug Kingpins: The People Behind Drug Trafficking

The legacies of drug kingpins are both egregious and legendary. Through vast networks of mercenaries, corrupt officials, terrorists, and smugglers, organized drug cartels traffic billions of dollars in heroin, cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine across international borders. El Chapo, Pablo Escobar, Frank Lucas, Paul Le Roux, and other kingpins have left indelible marks on the communities they used for drug trafficking, and their far-reaching impact can take years to undo by even the most vigilant law enforcement efforts. This collection details the breadth of their crimes, and includes media literacy questions and terms that challenge readers to assess how journalistic principles are applied to news coverage of kingpins and narcotrafficking.