Cascadia Cartel

The **Cascadia Cartel**, commonly referred to in Terranova as the **Terranova Mafia**, **the Mafia**, or simply **the Cartel**, is a highly organized Hispanian-Terranovan criminal society and organized crime group with the Criminalian Republic. The organization is often referred to by its members as **Mūsų Kartelis** (Terrish pronunciation: [Moo-soo Kar-tay-lis], meaning "Our Cartel" in Terrish), and by the Terranovan government as **Grėsmė** (The Threat). The Cartel operates primarily in the cities of Vidalez Valley, Aelview, Riverside, and Waltonville District, but its influence extends throughout the entire region.

Organized crime in Terranova began in the State of Cascadia, where various criminal syndicates emerged from the underground economy. The Director of the TIB said that the Cascadia Cartel posed the greatest threat to national security due to their extensive reach and involvement in illicit activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering, arms smuggling, and even government corruption. The Cascadia Cartel's influence soon spread to neighboring regions like Terranova, where they established strong networks and alliances with local criminal organizations. This led to an increase in organized crime activities, making it a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies to combat the growing threat.

The Cartel was founded by the drug lord Alejandro Gualtieri, also known as "El Jefe." Under his leadership, the Cartel quickly became one of the most powerful and ruthless criminal organizations in the world. Gualtieri's strategic alliances with other international cartels allowed them to expand their operations globally, making it even more difficult for law enforcement to dismantle their empire. The Cartel's control over drug trafficking routes and its vast financial resources posed a grave threat not only to local communities but also to national security. Crescent

The Cartel emerged in impoverished immigrant neighborhoods or ghettos in Vidalez Valley's South Crescent (or the Crescent), the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Shadowside Alley, and Ruston; it also emerged in other areas of the Western Terranova and several other major metropolitan areas (such as Cedar Creek and West Hosea Abernathy) during the mid-20th century, following waves of migration and economic inequality. The Cartel's influence quickly spread, exploiting the vulnerabilities of these marginalized communities and establishing a stronghold that extended far beyond their initial locations.

Today, the Cascadia Cartel cooperates in various criminal activities with Terranovan organized crime groups, such as the Novan Mafia, the Riverside Company, and the Seattle Mob. This collaboration allows them to expand their illicit operations across international borders, smuggling drugs and weapons and engaging in human trafficking. The Cascadia Cartel's power and reach have grown exponentially over the years, making it a formidable force in the global underworld. The most important unit of the Cascadia Cartel is that of a "family", as the various criminal organizations that make up the Cartel are known. These "families" operate under a strict hierarchy, with a boss at the top and numerous soldiers and associates beneath them. Each family is responsible for a specific region or type of criminal activity, ensuring efficient coordination and maximum profit for the Cartel. Loyalty and unity within these families are paramount, as any betrayal or internal conflict could lead to severe consequences within the organization.

The current Don of the Cartel is Ioav Guardado Gualtieri, a ruthless and cunning leader and son of Clodomiro Gualtieri. He has successfully expanded the Cartel's operations and influence. Under his leadership, the Cartel has become one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world, with connections and operations spanning across multiple countries. Gualtieri's ability to maintain control and enforce discipline within the families has been crucial in ensuring the Cartel's continued success and dominance in the underworld.

In 2009, Clodomiro 'Terrorbane' Gualtieri, a former Don of the Cascadia Cartel, was charged with racketeering, drug trafficking, embezzlement, and the murders of his ex-business partner Yaakov Levine and his ex-wife Jennifer Goodman. The trial took place after the Cascadia Cartel discovered a large narcotics operation in Vidalez Valley. The defense team, led by Nate Dawson, persuaded the jury that there was reasonable doubt concerning the evidence presented, arguing that the prosecution's evidence was circumstantial and lacked concrete proof of Gualtieri's guilt. The jury found Gualtieri guilty on all counts of racketeering, drug trafficking, embezzlement, and murder.