Yes, Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs), commonly referred to as cartels, operate in and around Corpus Christi, Texas, primarily by working with local gangs for drug and human smuggling operations.
The Corpus Christi area’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and the Gulf of Mexico makes it an appealing location for criminal organizations to transport illicit goods into the United States.
Cartel Activity in Corpus Christi
Influence and Operations: The Gulf Cartel has a significant influence on the Texas coastal bend region, including Corpus Christi, utilizing the area for smuggling marijuana and cocaine. Other cartels, such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), also have operations and associates in the Southern District of Texas.
Partnerships with Local Gangs: Mexican DTOs often establish direct connections with local prison gangs in Corpus Christi, such as the Texas Syndicate and the Mexican Mafia. These local gangs then manage the wholesale and retail distribution of drugs within the city.
Smuggling Routes: Traffickers exploit the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, seaports, and bays using various vessels (e.g., fishing boats, “go-fast” boats) to smuggle drugs into the country. Bundles of cocaine and other drugs occasionally wash ashore along the Gulf Coast, indicating ongoing maritime trafficking operations.
Enforcement Actions: Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies frequently conduct multi-agency operations to disrupt and dismantle these criminal networks. Recent cases have led to numerous arrests, indictments, and significant drug/cash seizures. For example, in 2024 and 2025, the Department of Justice announced several successful prosecutions and extraditions of cartel members and associates operating in South Texas. David Michael Ramsey @surfman374

Prominent gangs in the Corpus Christi, Texas area include street gangs like Tango Blast, which is a collective of Hispanic gangs from various Texas cities, and prison gangs such as the Texas Syndicate. Outlaw motorcycle gangs, like the Bandidos, are also present in the region.
Tango Blast: This is not a single gang but a collective of various regional street and prison gangs, primarily of Hispanic men from major Texas cities.
Texas Syndicate: This is a Mexican American prison and street gang founded in 1978, with a presence across the Southwestern United States, including Texas.
Bandidos Motorcycle Club: This is a well-known outlaw motorcycle gang that operates in the area. David Michael Ramsey @surfman374

Raza” is used to refer to different groups, including a criminal gang and advocacy organizations, leading to confusion about illegal activities. Some members of the Raza Unida criminal gang have been prosecuted for crimes such as drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit murder, and violent crimes. Additionally, the name has been associated with activities like tax evasion and human smuggling, although these are not tied to any specific organization with the name “Raza” but to individuals using the name.
Criminal activities associated with “Raza Unida” gang
Drug Trafficking: The Raza Unida gang primarily traffics in cocaine and methamphetamine.
Conspiracy to Commit Murder: A leader of the gang was sentenced for conspiracy to murder.
Violent Crimes: The group has been involved in violent crimes.
Money Laundering: Investigations have linked some activities to money laundering.
Other unrelated criminal activities
Tax Evasion: An individual named Raza Ali was sentenced for tax evasion and fraud.
Human Smuggling: An individual named Ali Raza was jailed for leading a people-smuggling ring.
It is important to note that the term “Raza” can refer to different groups, and the criminal acts are attributed to individuals or specific organizations, not to the broader ethnic group.

Bandidos engage in a wide range of illegal activities, including murder, robbery, drug trafficking, and arson. They are identified as a transnational criminal organization involved in organized crime, with specific criminal activities including the distribution of narcotics, witness intimidation, and extortion. The group is also involved in violent activities like assaults, highway shootouts, and an illegal enterprise to control other motorcycle clubs in a specific area, according to a recent Department of Justice indictment.
Violent crime: Murder, aggravated assault, robbery, and arson.
Drug trafficking: Distribution of narcotics and potentially other drugs.
Organized crime: RICO charges, racketeering, and extortion.
Other illegal activities: Witness intimidation and human smuggling.
Specific incidents: Law enforcement has linked them to specific violent acts, including a fatal assault in 2020, a motorcyclist’s death in 2021, and an attempted murder in 2023.