Mexican drug cartel hacker spied on FBI official’s phone to track and kill informants, report says

A shocking revelation from a U.S. government report has unveiled how a hacker, contracted by the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel led by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, infiltrated U.S. surveillance efforts in Mexico. The incident, which occurred in 2018, involved the hacker spying on the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City with the intention of identifying individuals for potential targeting and assassination by the cartel. The report, released by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General, highlights the cartel's sophisticated approach to surveillance while the FBI was conducting an investigation that ultimately led to El Chapo’s capture. During this period, a source connected to the cartel alerted the FBI about the hacker’s employment, revealing a range of services aimed at exploiting mobile and electronic devices. This hacker was able to monitor the movements of FBI personnel, including an assistant legal attaché, while also accessing the official’s phone data. The report indicates that the hacker utilized the official's mobile number to track calls and geolocation, an alarming breach that allowed the cartel to gather intelligence on FBI operations. Additionally, the hacker tapped into Mexico City’s surveillance system to follow the attaché and document interactions with others. The implications of this breach were dire; the report indicates that the Sinaloa cartel used the acquired information to intimidate and, in some cases, eliminate potential informants or cooperating witnesses. The FBI has declined to comment further, directing inquiries to the Department of Justice, which has also remained silent. For years, Mexico has been a battleground for technological warfare, with law enforcement investing heavily in spyware to combat criminal organizations. However, on the other side, cartels like Sinaloa have developed their own sophisticated communications networks, employing hackers to shield their activities and evade law enforcement. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict between law enforcement and criminal organizations in the realm of surveillance and technology. The evolving tactics on both sides underscore the complexities of the drug war and the lengths to which cartels will go to secure their operations.