Secrets of Mexico's Drug War

The arrest of Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'el Chapo' Guzman in February 2014 was hailed as a victory in America's war on drugs, but the truth behind the capture could be just another murky chapter in the scandal-ridden history of US involvement in Latin America and the Mexican drug wars.

This investigation from the BBC looks into the American authorities' relationship with the biggest and most powerful criminal organisation in the world, the Sinaloa Cartel, a multi-billion dollar international corporation with franchises in 58 countries. Despite its leader's arrest, the cartel is still enjoying extraordinary success, and this program examines allegations that the group has been given an easy ride in return for informing on other cartels.

High-level informants, immunity deals, government-sanctioned gun trafficking and a mysterious go-between charged with carrying messages between the DEA and the cartel: a picture emerges of a dirty war being fought for control of Mexico's drug-smuggling routes to America, with little regard for the thousands of victims of the violent conflict.

Secrets of Mexico's Drug War, presented by Kerry O'Brien, goes to air on Monday 18th May at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 19th May at 10.00am and Wednesday 20th at midnight. It can also be seen on ABC News 24 on Saturday at 8.00pm,ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

Tags: government-and-politics, law-crime-and-justice, event, mexico, united-states