Report on capabilities and illicit activities of cartels

(a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Director of National Intelligence, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the capabilities and illicit activities of the cartels specified in subsection (c), including the use of military-grade weaponry, technology, and training. (b) Elements The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A detailed assessment of the organizational structure, leadership hierarchy, and key operational figures of each cartel, including, with respect to any individuals affiliated with the cartel, the roles of such individuals in conducting organized military-style operations and illicit activities. (2) An evaluation of the capabilities of each cartel, including the size, structure, and sophistication of the cartel, including— (A) a description of the types and quantities of weapons, equipment, and technology (including drones, encrypted communications, and advanced surveillance systems) used by the cartel; (B) a description of where and how the cartel obtained weapons, equipment, and technology (including drones, encrypted communications, and advanced surveillance systems); (C) an assessment of the recruitment, training, and operational tactics of the cartel, including an identification of any cross-border operations and coordination with other criminal or terrorist organizations or any government; and (D) an assessment of how the capabilities of the cartel impact the security of the United States, the security of partner nations in the Western Hemisphere, and the security of the installations and personnel of the United States Armed Forces. (3) A comprehensive description and evaluation of the threat of the illicit activities of the cartels to the security of the United States, the security of partner nations in the Western Hemisphere, and the security of installations and personnel of the United States Armed Forces, including— (A) drug trafficking; (B) human trafficking and migrant smuggling; (C) weapons trafficking; (D) money laundering and illicit financial activities; (E) extortion and protection rackets; (F) kidnapping for ransom; (G) fuel theft, including hydrocarbon smuggling; (H) cyber-enabled illicit activities; and (I) theft and exploitation of natural resources, including illegal mining and illegal logging. (4) A description of the geographic areas, both within the United States and internationally, where the cartels operate or exert control of territory or influence, including control over border regions and smuggling routes. (5) An assessment of the direct and indirect threats posed by the cartels to the national security of the United States and its allies. (6) A summary of current efforts by the Armed Forces, law enforcement, and intelligence community of the United States to counter the activities of the cartels, including interagency coordination and cooperation with foreign governments. (7) Recommendations for additional authorities, resources, or strategies to enhance the efforts of the United States to disrupt and dismantle the capabilities of the cartels. (c) Specified cartels A cartel specified in this subsection is any entity that is engaged in the production and trafficking of narcotics that— (1) the Secretary of State has designated as a foreign terrorist organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189); (2) is subject to sanctions under Executive Order 13224 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking property and prohibiting transactions with persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism); (3) is subject to sanctions under Executive Order 14059 (relating to imposing sanctions on foreign persons involved in the global illicit drug trade); or (4) is a transnational criminal organization (as defined in section 3003 of the FEND Off Fentanyl Act (21 U.S.C. 2341)). (d) Form of report The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex. (e) Public availability The unclassified portion of the report required by subsection (a) shall be made publicly available on a website of the Department of Defense.