From Griselda Blanco’s ruthless reign over the Miami drug trade to Sandra Ávila Beltrán’s alleged ties to some of the world’s most notorious drug cartels, female leaders have made a significant impact on the world of organized crime. While their actions have been controversial, there is no denying their ability to achieve great power and influence within their organizations. In this article, we’ll explore the stories of the top three female cartel bosses of all time and the unique challenges they faced as women in a male-dominated field. From their rise to power to their ultimate downfall.
The world of organized crime has long been considered a man’s game, but these women have shattered that stereotype by proving that they were just as capable of running a criminal empire, and at times more ruthless than their male counterparts. Here are the top three female cartel bosses of all time. Here we go.
#1
Griselda Blanco, also known as the “Godmother of Cocaine,” was a notorious drug lord who ran the Medellin Cartel during the 1970s and 1980s. She was born in Colombia in 1943 and later moved to the United States, where she established a drug trafficking network that smuggled cocaine from Colombia to Miami. She was known for her ruthlessness and is said to have ordered the deaths of hundreds of people.
Blanco was eventually arrested in 1985 and sentenced to 20 years in prison, but she continued to run her drug empire from behind bars. She was later extradited to Colombia, where she was assassinated in 2012.
The Legend of Griselda Blanco ‘La Madrina’
Griselda Blanco’s story has been the subject of many books, documentaries, a movie, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones as Blanco and even a series on Netflix in which Sofia Vergara stars as “Griselda Blanco”, the series will also have reggaeton artist Karol G making her acting debut. Other productions are:
- “Cocaine Cowboys” – This 2006 documentary film explores the rise of the cocaine trade in Miami during the 1970s and 1980s, with a particular focus on the activities of Griselda Blanco and her associates.
- “Cocaine Cowboys II: Hustlin’ With the Godmother” – This 2008 documentary film is a sequel to “Cocaine Cowboys,” and focuses specifically on Griselda Blanco’s life and criminal activities.
- “Cocaine Godmother” – This 2018 made-for-TV movie stars Catherine Zeta-Jones as Griselda Blanco, and tells the story of her rise to power in the cocaine trade.
- “Queen of the South” – This TV series, which premiered in 2016, is loosely based on the life of Griselda Blanco. It follows the story of a woman who becomes a drug lord after her boyfriend is murdered.
- “Griselda Blanco: La viuda negra” – This 2014 TV series is a Spanish-language production that tells the story of Griselda Blanco’s life and criminal activities.
Blanco’s rise to power and her ultimate downfall prove the brutal nature of the drug trade and the lengths some people will go to maintain control.
Karol G’s Acting Debut Alongside Sofia Vergara in Netflix ’s Upcoming Series ‘Griselda’
#2
Sandra Ávila Beltrán, also known as the “Queen of the Pacific,” was a Mexican drug lord who specialized in smuggling cocaine into the United States. She was born in Mexico in 1960 and was the niece of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, a notorious drug lord who controlled much of the drug trafficking in Mexico during the 1980s.
Ávila Beltrán was known for her extravagant lifestyle and was once featured in a music video alongside the famous Mexican singer, Lupillo Rivera. She was arrested in 2007 and extradited to the United States in 2012, where she pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges. Mexican and U.S. officials consider her as an important link between the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico and the Colombian Norte del Valle Cartel.
Beltrán was released from the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons on July 30, but her freedom was short-lived. Upon her release, she was handed over to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and processed for deportation to her home country of Mexico as an aggravated felon.
The Rise & Fall of Female Cartel Queen of the Pacific Sandra Avila Beltran
However, her return to Mexico was met with immediate arrest on charges of money laundering on August 20, 2013. As a result, she was sentenced to an additional five years in prison and a fine. Beltrán served her sentence at the Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 4 federal prison in Tepic, Nayarit before being released in 2015.
Today, she resides in the city of Guadalajara. Following her arrest in 2007, Ávila Beltrán spent a total of seven years behind bars, including two years in solitary confinement. Despite her release, her criminal record and past activities will continue to follow her throughout her life. Here are some movies, novelas and Netflix Series that have been produced on Beltran:
- “Queen of the South” – This television series, which premiered in 2016, is loosely based on the life of Sandra Ávila Beltrán. It tells the story of a woman who becomes a drug lord after her boyfriend is murdered.
- “Sandra: La verdadera historia de una mujer sin miedo” – This Spanish-language book, written by María Idalia Gómez, is a biography of Sandra Ávila Beltrán. It was published in 2011.
- “Narcos” – This television series, which premiered in 2015, tells the story of the rise and fall of the Medellin and Cali drug cartels in Colombia. While it does not focus specifically on Sandra Ávila Beltrán, it provides an interesting look at the world of drug trafficking during the time she was active.
- “La Reina del Pacifico” – This Mexican telenovela, which premiered in 2019, is based on the life of Sandra Ávila Beltrán. It tells the story of a young woman who becomes a drug lord after her father is murdered.
- “Las muñecas de la mafia” – This Colombian television series, which premiered in 2009, tells the story of five women who become involved in the world of drug trafficking. While it is not based specifically on Sandra Ávila Beltrán, it provides a glimpse into the experiences of women in the drug trade.
#3
Maria Teresa Osorio de Serna also known as “La Madrina,” was a Colombian drug lord who ran a large drug trafficking network during the 1980s and 1990s. She was born in 1948 in Medellin and began her criminal career as a money launderer for the Medellin Cartel.
Osorio de Serna was known for her close ties to Pablo Escobar and was said to be one of his most trusted allies. She was eventually arrested in 1991 and sentenced to 16 years in prison, but she continued to run her drug empire from behind bars. She was released from prison in 2002 and died of natural causes in 2012.
Overall, the stories of Sandra Ávila Beltrán, Griselda Blanco, and Maria Teresa Osorio de Serna offer a glimpse into the world of female leadership in organized crime. While their actions were controversial and often violent, they serve as a reminder of the powerful impact that women can have in any field, including criminal enterprises. As we continue to confront the challenges posed by drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime, it’s essential to keep these stories in mind, and strive towards a safer and more just society for all.
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