Criminal Organisations Founded or Strengthened by Former Military

Criminal Organisations Founded or Strengthened by Former Military and Special Forces Personnel

The overwhelming majority of military personnel leave service and go on to lead lawful, productive lives. However, history has shown that a small minority of former soldiers—including members of elite military and special forces units—have been recruited into organised crime or have even helped establish criminal organisations.

Military training provides skills that criminal groups value highly.

Expertise in small-unit tactics, intelligence gathering, surveillance, weapons handling, communications, logistics and leadership can significantly improve the capabilities of an organised crime group.

This article examines some of the best-documented examples where former military or special forces personnel have played an important role in organised crime, while separating fact from popular myths.

Why Criminal Organisations Recruit Former Soldiers

Organised crime groups increasingly resemble sophisticated businesses. Many operate internationally, move large sums of money and coordinate complex smuggling operations.

Former military personnel may offer:

- Tactical planning

- Firearms expertise

- Operational discipline

- Intelligence gathering

- Counter-surveillance techniques

- Logistics and transport planning

- Leadership under pressure

Elite military units often train personnel to work in small teams, plan operations and react effectively in dangerous situations. Criminal organisations see these skills as valuable assets.

That does not mean former soldiers routinely become criminals. In reality, they represent a tiny fraction of veterans worldwide.

Los Zetas: The Most Famous Example

Perhaps the best-known example is Los Zetas, one of Mexico's most notorious criminal organisations.

Founded in the late 1990s, Los Zetas began as the armed enforcement wing of the Gulf Cartel. Its founding members included deserters from the Mexican Army's elite Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales (GAFE).

These former special forces soldiers introduced military-style organisation, communications, reconnaissance and tactical planning that differed significantly from traditional cartel methods.

Rather than relying solely on intimidation, Los Zetas developed coordinated assaults, sophisticated ambushes and structured command systems.

The organisation eventually split from the Gulf Cartel and became an independent criminal enterprise involved in:

- Drug trafficking

- Kidnapping

- Human trafficking

- Extortion

- Fuel theft

- Weapons smuggling

Security analysts frequently cite Los Zetas as the clearest example of military expertise fundamentally changing organised crime.

The Gulf Cartel's Military Connections

Although the Gulf Cartel predates Los Zetas by several decades, its strength increased significantly after recruiting former soldiers as its enforcement arm.

The cartel recognised that military-trained recruits could better defend trafficking routes and challenge rival organisations.

This recruitment strategy later backfired when Los Zetas separated and became one of the Gulf Cartel's fiercest competitors.

Colombia: Former Soldiers and Criminal Networks

Colombia has experienced decades of conflict involving government forces, guerrilla organisations and paramilitary groups.

As conflicts evolved, some demobilised fighters and former military personnel entered organised crime.

Rather than creating entirely new cartels, they often strengthened existing criminal organisations through:

- Security operations

- Intelligence gathering

- Weapons procurement

- Training recruits

Modern Colombian criminal groups have generally evolved from older armed organisations rather than being created exclusively by former soldiers.

BACRIM and Successor Organisations

Following the demobilisation of right-wing paramilitary groups in Colombia during the mid-2000s, several criminal organisations emerged from remnants of these forces.

Often referred to as BACRIM (Bandas Criminales), these organisations inherited military experience, command structures and operational knowledge from former combatants.

Their activities expanded into:

- Cocaine trafficking

- Illegal mining

- Extortion

- Human trafficking

- Smuggling

These groups demonstrate how armed conflict can indirectly contribute to organised crime by creating experienced fighters who later move into criminal enterprises.

Guatemala's Kaibil Legacy

Guatemala's elite Kaibil special forces have long been regarded as among Latin America's toughest military units.

Over the years, investigators have linked some former Kaibil members to organised crime, particularly in border regions where drug trafficking routes pass between Central America and Mexico.

Their skills reportedly made them attractive recruits for larger criminal organisations operating across the region.

It is important to distinguish between isolated individuals and the military unit itself; there is no evidence that the Kaibiles as an institution became a criminal organisation.

Former Police and Military Personnel in Brazil

Brazil's organised crime landscape differs from Mexico's. Several criminal groups and illegal militias have included former soldiers, police officers and military police.

These organisations often exploit professional experience in intelligence, surveillance and weapons handling.

Some militias originally claimed to provide community protection before evolving into criminal enterprises involved in extortion, illegal utilities, land seizures and drug trafficking.

The Balkans After the Yugoslav Wars

The collapse of Yugoslavia left large numbers of trained soldiers, extensive weapons stockpiles and weakened state institutions.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, organised crime networks expanded significantly across parts of the Balkans.

Many groups benefited from former military personnel with expertise in logistics, smuggling routes and operational planning.

Activities included:

- Arms trafficking

- Cigarette smuggling

- Drug trafficking

- Human trafficking

- Vehicle theft

Again, these organisations were not necessarily founded by former soldiers, but military experience strengthened their capabilities.

Russia and Post-Soviet Organised Crime

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, economic instability created opportunities for organised crime. Some criminal organisations recruited former military personnel and security service veterans.

Their expertise proved useful in:

- Corporate intimidation

- Protection rackets

- International smuggling

- Money laundering

- High-value theft

The relationship between former security professionals and organised crime has been documented in numerous academic studies, although the extent varies considerably between organisations.

Why Military Training Matters

Military personnel receive training unavailable to most civilians.

This may include:

Tactical Planning

Military planning emphasises preparation, contingency planning and disciplined execution.

Intelligence Collection

Surveillance and reconnaissance techniques help criminal groups avoid law enforcement.

Leadership

Former officers and non-commissioned officers may have experience leading teams under stressful conditions.

Logistics

Military logistics translates surprisingly well into smuggling operations, where moving people and goods across long distances is essential.

Communications

Secure communications and operational security reduce the risk of interception.

Why the Myth Can Be Exaggerated

Films, television and documentaries often give the impression that organised crime is dominated by former special forces personnel.

In reality, this is not supported by evidence. Most organised crime leaders come from criminal backgrounds, local gangs or long-established trafficking families.

Military veterans remain a minority within organised crime.

Cases involving former elite soldiers receive disproportionate media attention because they are unusual and often involve exceptionally violent groups.

Preventing Military Expertise from Entering Organised Crime

Governments have increasingly recognised the importance of supporting veterans after military service.

Successful reintegration programmes include:

- Employment assistance

- Mental health support

- Vocational training

- Pension protection

- Professional licensing

- Security-sector employment opportunities

Many countries also strengthen monitoring of military weapons, ammunition and specialised equipment to reduce diversion into criminal markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are most drug cartels run by former special forces?

No. While some organisations have recruited former military personnel, most cartel leaders come from criminal or smuggling backgrounds.

Which cartel was founded by former special forces?

Los Zetas is the best-known example, having been founded by deserters from Mexico's elite GAFE unit.

Why do criminal groups recruit former soldiers?

Military training provides leadership, tactical planning, logistics, intelligence gathering and firearms expertise.

Do former soldiers commonly become organised criminals?

No. The vast majority of military veterans transition successfully into civilian life and never become involved in organised crime.

Conclusion

The relationship between former military personnel and organised crime is real although frequently misunderstood.

A handful of criminal organisations—including Los Zetas—owe much of their early effectiveness to former elite soldiers. Others have benefited from recruiting veterans as trainers, security specialists or operational planners.

However, these examples should not be mistaken for the norm. Most organised crime groups are led by career criminals rather than former special forces operators, and the overwhelming majority of military personnel serve honourably before building successful civilian careers.

Understanding this distinction provides a more accurate picture of how organised crime evolves and why certain organisations have developed unusually sophisticated operational capabilities.

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