The Colombian cartels are one of the more visible types of modern drug trafficking organizations and have achieved a certain notoriety for their role in the cocaine business. The Colombian cartels have a reputation for violence and are known for their ability to corrupt government officials. Terrorist and insurgent groups such as Colombia's M-19 and Peru's Sendero Luminoso organization are also participating in the drug trade. The unstable governments and economies of many source countries facilitate the existence of these groups. These types of terrorist organizations have influence in countries such as Bolivia, Panama, and Cuba as well. Similarly motivated groups exist in southeast and southwest Asian drug-producing countries such as Myanmar. Other Asian criminal organizations such as the Chinese Triads and Tongs and the Japanese Yakuza operate in both the United States and Hong Kong and are active in the drug trade. The ranks of the Chinese Tongs are also growing in Los Angeles, New York, and other cities. Case examples, figures, photograph, list of major terms used, and discussion questions