Drug cartels are enlisting kids through video games, Mexico says

MVS Noticias documented cases of individuals claiming to belong to the Jalisco Cartel, Old School Zetas, and the Sinaloa Cartel contacting young people through late-night messages on games. — Technology photo created by freepik - www.freepik.com

Mexico’s government is warning parents to keep an eye on their children’s video game activity after cases emerged of drug cartels allegedly recruiting minors through online platforms.

Security officials gave details Wednesday about a case in Mexico’s southern state of Oaxaca of three minors who boarded a bus with the promise of receiving payment to work as police-lookouts in the country’s north. Recruiters use initials for violent cartels like the Jalisco New Generation, the Cartel of the Northeast, and other groups to find their potential targets, Deputy Security Chief Ricardo Mejia said during a press briefing.