Hodari Cartel
The Hodari Cartel is the largest and most powerful heroin trafficking organization in the region. Its primary operating base is in and around the Port of Mombasa, although it operates processing and distribution nodes throughout Amari. Limited, tense cooperation among other regional drug trafficking organizations may exist to minimize public or political backlash.
Product is generally received from East Asian producers via either through the main port of Mombasa or any of the smaller landings along Amari's coast. It is then smuggled overland or transferred to other vessels enroute to European channels. A portion of the product may be smuggled out of the country by commercial air. There is little domestic distribution.
Significant corruption at ports facilitate product movement. The cartel's operations may have political or community leaders' awareness and/or involvement. Local paramilitary elements may be directly involved in smuggling or providing transportation security. The cartel may also utilize local hire private security companies to enhance the already robust security for large product movement. Private security may also be called on to violently deal with perceived threats to the operation. Forces or equipment transiting the Port of Mombasa may encounter difficulty or overt obstruction by cartel members, forces affiliated with the cartel, or other organized criminal activity.
Members of the cartel are likely involved in other criminal activities (protection, racketeering, prostitution, commodity smuggling), provided these do not infringe on the primary product or risk unacceptable scrutiny. Cartel forces will generally carry small arms, although security elements for transport and at the main receiving and shipping points may include heavier weapons. Processing facilities may have improvised explosive devices and traps.
(See also TC 7-100.3 Irregular Opposing Forces, Chapter 4: Criminals)