The term “cartel.girls” is associated with both real-life women involved in drug trafficking organizations and fictional depictions in media, such as books and social media. 

Real-Life Women in Cartels

Women have played increasingly significant roles in Mexican and other Latin American drug cartels, moving beyond traditional roles to positions of power, including as lieutenants, money launderers, and hit squad leaders (sicarias). 

• Diverse Roles: Women are involved at all levels, from low-level “mules” and lookouts to high-ranking decision-makers and financial managers.
• High-Profile Cases: Notorious figures include Sandra Ávila Beltrán, known as the “Queen of the Pacific” for her role in the Sinaloa Cartel, and Griselda Blanco, a powerful Colombian drug baron.
• Violence and Exploitation: The lives of women in cartels are often dangerous and violent. Many are victims of sex trafficking or forced into criminal activities, sometimes at a young age.
• Media Portrayal: The involvement of women has been sensationalized by the media, often focusing on their glamorous image (“narco-aesthetic”) or brutality. 

Fictional Depictions and Media

The phrase “cartel.girls” also appears in various media contexts:

• Books: It is used in book titles and descriptions, such as The Plug’s Ruthless Daughter 2: Black Cartel Girl. These books are often part of the urban fiction genre and available from retailers like Audible.com or Barnes & Noble.
• Social Media: There are social media accounts and groups, such as the Instagram account @cartelgirlsofficial, that use the term, often representing an “exclusive agency” or promoting a specific aesthetic.
• Television: The reality TV series Cartel Crewfeatures individuals with family members involved in cartels. 

The user’s query could be in reference to any of these real-world or fictional aspects.