California is a global leader on a number of fronts and, unfortunately, transnational criminal activity is one of them (Figure 4). In 2012 alone, 305 drug-related transnational criminal organ-izations were found operating in the state, including Mexico-based drug cartels in at least 22 cities from Northern California to the southern border.
https://oag.ca.gov/transnational-organized-crime/ch2