The focus is on Colombian crime groups because they represent about 80 percent of U.S. cocaine traffic. The report covers the natural and political history of coca, the rise of Colombian organized crime, and the cell system which is based on eliminating contact between cartel workers except between those who actually function as a distribution team. It is estimated that there are approximately 300 cells or groups in the United States. The impact of cartel efforts to corrupt the U.S. criminal justice system is discussed. The violence employed by cartels in pursuing their objectives is also examined with significant events in cartel history identified. The report considers the impact of cocaine cartels on Colombia's economy, facilitators in drug trafficking operations, money laundering, cocaine and crack use in U.S. inner cities, the Southern California law enforcement response, and Mexican links to Colombian operations. An appendix describes how to extract cocaine paste from the coca leaf and how to convert paste to base, base to cocaine hydrochloride, and cocaine hydrochloride to rock or crack. The appendix also lists investigative considerations in searches and evidence involving Colombian drug violators and profile characteristics of the Colombian drug trafficker. 50 references, photos, and illustrations