By Christopher Rey
The fight against drug cartels is changing. Recently, the U.S. government began classifying some cartels as terrorist organizations. This may sound like a small shift in wording, but it could have a big impact. It means we should now expect cartels to act more like terrorist groups, not just smuggling narcotics and people, but potentially carrying out violent attacks against police officers, government officials, public buildings and even everyday citizens.
Some organizations now use tactics once seen only in war zones — car bombs, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), drones and coordinated ambushes. For U.S. law enforcement, this shift represents more than a border issue; it’s a national readiness challenge.
Understanding narco-terrorism
The term narco-terrorism refers to the use of violence by drug traffickers to influence governments or intimidate populations. [1] While the United States has recently classified certain cartels as terrorist organizations, agencies such as the DEA and FBI have long recognized that their methods increasingly mirror those of insurgent or terrorist groups. The blurred line between organized crime and politically motivated violence makes it critical for police agencies, large and small, to assess their preparedness.
This isn’t just a distant problem. In the border community of El Paso, Texas, local law enforcement has identified over two dozen confirmed active transnational criminal organization members, including more than two dozen members of Tren de Aragua, a group officially labeled as terrorists by the federal government.
Some organizations now use tactics once seen only in war zones. This shift represents more than a border issue; it’s a national readiness challenge.
At the same time, since September of this year, the U.S. military has conducted lethal airstrikes against narco-terrorists in the Caribbean Sea, raising the stakes. If cartels feel backed into a corner, history shows they may retaliate. Those attacks could target government employees, local infrastructure, and crowded public places.
Emerging cartel tactics
Cartels are no longer relying only on guns and smuggling routes. They’ve started using tactics once seen mostly in war zones.
- Vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs): In 2010, suspected cartel members detonated a car bomb in Ciudad Juárez, killing two police officers and two paramedics — the first such attack of its kind in Mexico’s modern drug war. [2] This poses serious concerns for border communities like El Paso, San Diego and Laredo due to their proximity to the border.
- Improvised explosive devices (IEDs): Mexican authorities have intercepted everything from crude pipe bombs to sophisticated devices, such as a claymore mine wired to a timer intended for Independence Day festivities. [3]
- Explosive-laden drones: Cartels have used drones to deliver small explosives or conduct reconnaissance, a tactic observed in several states across Mexico.
According to “The Handbook of Homeland Security” [4], car bombs accounted for only about 2.5% of terrorist attacks in the 1970s but now make up roughly 7.5%, with most growth occurring after 2001 in global conflict zones. This upward trend highlights how battlefield tactics are drifting into criminal operations closer to the U.S. border.
The implications for U.S. law enforcement
The lessons learned from Mexico and other regions are clear: these tactics could surface anywhere. Criminal networks have demonstrated both the intent and capability to operate within U.S. territory, especially in major urban centers and along transit corridors.
The concern is not only about border states. Any jurisdiction with transportation hubs, critical infrastructure, or large public gatherings could be a target for cartel-linked violence. Yet, most local patrol officers receive little to no training on how to respond to IEDs, VBIEDs, or coordinated ambushes — situations typically reserved for military bomb squads and special emergency response teams.
During the San Bernardino terrorist attack in 2015, secondary devices were discovered after the initial assault, underscoring how ambush and layered attacks can overwhelm unprepared responders. This is something law enforcement and emergency personnel should be mindful of.
Training and preparedness
Preparedness starts with training and interagency coordination. Federal and state programs already exist to help agencies build awareness and response capacity:
- DHS Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP): Offers online and instructor-led courses on recognizing IED indicators, securing perimeters and coordinating with bomb technicians.
- FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF): Facilitate intelligence sharing and collaboration on emerging threats.
- ALERRT’s CRASE Program (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events): Provides a model for integrating situational awareness and threat response. Similar frameworks can be adapted for VBIED or IED preparedness.
Much like CRASE, local training should include recognition and safety steps for non-law enforcement personnel, government employees, first responders and even the public. Building awareness at every level reduces panic and improves continuity of operations during critical incidents.
Practical guidance for patrol officers and supervisors
Patrol officers are often the first on scene. A measured, informed response can save valuable lives. Key considerations include:
- Recognize potential threat indicators: Suspicious vehicles parked near government buildings, visible wires or containers, and strong chemical or fuel odors.
- Avoid complacency: Treat unattended packages, unusual devices, or drones near sensitive locations as potential threats until proven otherwise by experts.
- Control the scene: Establish a perimeter, limit radio and cell phone use near suspected devices, and immediately notify dispatch for bomb squad support.
- Expect secondary threats: Maintain vigilance for follow-on attacks targeting first responders.
- Communicate effectively: Clear, calm coordination with command and neighboring agencies prevents confusion or over-response.
Building a culture of readiness
Readiness is not alarmism — it’s professionalism. Agencies that emphasize situational awareness and interagency collaboration are better positioned to protect officers and the public alike. Commanders should integrate narco-terrorism scenarios into shift briefings and field exercises, updating policies to reflect evolving threats.
As one FBI official recently noted, “Training and working together is how we can best protect the people of the United States and all our partner nations.” [5]
The path forward
Narco-terrorism is no longer confined to foreign battlefields. With confirmed cartel members operating in U.S. communities and rising international pressure on trafficking networks, it’s only a matter of time before their tactics evolve domestically. This is a call to law enforcement leaders nationwide:
- Train patrol officers to recognize and respond to IED, VBIED and ambush threats.
- Educate government partners and civilians through joint awareness programs.
- Invest in relationships with regional JTTFs, fusion centers and bomb squads.
By strengthening partnerships, expanding training, and maintaining composure under pressure, law enforcement can stay ahead of an evolving threat landscape. Preparedness is not panic — it’s protection.
Training discussion points
- How could your agency integrate narco-terrorism scenarios into shift briefings or tabletop drills?
- What local, state or federal partnerships would strengthen your agency’s response to IED or VBIED threats?
- How might you train non-sworn personnel to recognize suspicious indicators without creating panic?
Tactical takeaway
Run a quarterly tabletop that simulates an IED or VBIED near a city facility, then drill patrol-level first steps: indicators, perimeters, radio and device discipline, secondary-device checks and bomb tech handoff.
References
- Boyce D. (1987). Narco-terrorism. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 56(11), 24–27.
- BBC News. (2010, July 16). Aftermath of Ciudad Juarez ‘car bomb’ in Mexico. BBC.
- AP News. (2024, January 22). Mexican cartels now use IEDs as well as bomb-dropping drones. Associated Press.
- Catino MS. (2023). The Handbook of Homeland Security (G. Martin & S. N. Romaniuk, Eds.; 1st ed.). CRC Press.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2025, June 30). FBI-DOD program enlists, equips international partners to help crush cartel violence.
About the author
Christopher Rey serves as the Deputy Chief of Juvenile Services for the El Paso County, Texas Juvenile Probation Department. He previously held the position of Senior Justice & Rehabilitation Services Manager within the County’s Criminal Justice Coordination Department, overseeing pretrial services and specialized programming. His law enforcement career includes service as an Operations Lieutenant and Interim Chief of Police with the Socorro Police Department, as well as an FBI Task Force Officer, where he investigated cross-border violence involving transnational drug trafficking organizations and served as Assistant Commander for the Emergency Response Team.
A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Rey is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Public Administration at Liberty University. He is also a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, having deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
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