"Los Zetas" are the most technologically advanced, sophisticated, and dangerous Mexican gang, according to the U.S. government, and those qualities have made the group the most feared drug cartel in Mexico. Now, they may be that country's most feared energy producer, too.
In the past three years, Los Zetas have taken effective control of Mexico's Coahuila region in the north, along the border of Texas. The gang covertly entered the region, and under the threat of extreme violence against those who don't cooperate with them, have brought almost every aspect of commerce, politics, and business under their direct influence.
The expansion was not undertaken in order to increase Los Zetas' drug trafficking or prostitution operations, but rather to enter into the business of coal mining.
More From Oilprice: Will Shell Have Arctic Exploration License Revoked?
The state of Coahuila is rich in coal, and mining the fuel offers Los Zetas a more-or-less legal revenue stream.
The coal is mined by Los Zetas' own poorly paid workers, or bought at a low price from small miners, who are forced to sell their product to the gang. Los Zetas then resells the coal to a state-owned company for a profit that is estimated to be 30 times greater than the initial investment.
More From Oilprice: Will Chinese Nuclear Reactor Design Crush Rivals?
This setup is proving hugely lucrative for Los Zetas. Humberto Moreira, the former governor of Coahuila, claimed recently that the practice has become even more profitable for the cartel than drug-running.
—This story originally appeared on Oilprice.com. Click here to read the original story.