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First anti drug law
The United States passes laws prohibiting narcotics use under the Controlled Substances Act. -
war on drugs starts
President Richard Nixon declares a war on drugs -
Nixon sets up the Drug Enforcement Administration
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First drug bust
Drug gangs kill 40 people in one weekend in the Colombian city of Medellin after police seize 1,320 pounds (600 kgs) of cocaine in one of the first ever big drug hauls. -
Drug smuggling Changes to mexico
Cocaine smuggling shifts into Mexico after U.S. law enforcement cracks down on maritime smuggling via the Caribbean into Miami. The godfather of Mexican narcotics trafficking, Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, pioneers overland smuggling routes to the United States for Colombian cartels. -
Bill Clinton gives support Aid drug war
U.S. President Bill Clinton gives Colombia $1.3 billion in aid under Plan Colombia. -
US seziure of 23 tonnes of Coccaine
Mexico extradites Gulf Cartel kingpin Cardenas to the United States and makes a historic 23-tonne cocaine seizure. U.S. President George W. Bush pledges a $1.4 billion anti-drug package for Mexico and Central America. But the violence escalates. -
War on drugs get more violent
Mexico captures hundreds of drug gang members, disrupting smuggling routes but unleashing yet more violence. Some 6,000 people are killed across Mexico -
Drug lord gets put on forbes
Forbes magazine puts Guzman on its list of the world's billionaires.