From 'El Chapo' to 'El Mencho': The Lucrative Market For Online Narco-Souvenirs

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

These "narco-souvenirs" are part of a commercial trend that reflects the influence of narco-culture in the digital age.

Rise of 'narco-souvenirs', the commercialization of narco-culture

The infamous drug traffickers Pablo Escobar Gaviria, Ramón Arellano Félix, Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán Loera, and now, Ovidio Guzmán, the youngest of Los Chapitos, are part of a unique collection of "narco-toys" or "action figures" sold on the Internet.

As part of the narco-culture that has permeated a sector of the population in recent years, plastic miniatures of organized crime figures have become a trend for collectors and fans.

In the digital display of online stores such as Narcotoyz.com, the figures of drug lords are accompanied by clothing and other objects, which have found a niche in second-hand e-commerce: the customer selects the merchandise, pays the shipping and hours later you receive it at home.

For 512 Mexican pesos, the aforementioned website offers a polyresin representation of Ovidio Guzmán measuring almost nine centimeters.

The figurine shows Chapito with his arms raised, wearing a cap, white shirt and bare chest, showing mini scapulars. The pose of the doll recreates what the capo looked like during his first arrest and subsequent release, in the famous Culiacanazo.

The figure of the popular Ratón joins the collection of evildoers that the website boasts, which also sells mugs and caps that show similar designs. Among the figurines most requested by customers, those of El Chapo and Pablo Escobar stand out, which for now are listed as “sold out.”

The Narcotoyz page captured the spotlight on social networks, from where the controversial character of Ovidio went viral. However, it is not the only store where you can find these items.

On AliExpress, a popular online shopping platform, you can also purchase t-shirts with the image of Ovidio for only 145 pesos, plus the cost of shipping.

Likewise, for those looking to complete their "narco outfit" or expand their collection of Narco-Souvenirs, Mercado Libre offers sweatshirts and caps with the name and drawing of the popular Ratón, for 550 pesos.

Also at Mercado Libre, Pins4Caps offers a “custom enamel pin with rubber back closure,” which is nothing more than a metal pin to attach to the cap.

For 159 pesos, the customer can also purchase a tie clip with the caricature of Ovidio, his father, as well as Santa Muerte in the shape of a 'goat horn', or with the acronym "CDS", very popular among criminal groups.

And so that no one thinks that these promotional products are limited to the so-called Sinaloa Cartel, on Instagram, TikTok or Telegram platforms, to name a few, commercial advertisements circulate that promote clothing embroidered with the name of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the self-proclaimed “four letters cartel.”

Mencho caps, for example, are one of the specialties for sale online at the JB_HATS_MX store, based in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

But not all of this online marketing is related to crime. On Instagram, 'Arana_toys' sells miniatures of the National Guard, the Navy and the Mexican Army, highlighting their quality in the details of the national flag, the pixelated uniforms, weapons and decorations.

While 'Many Creations' offers Funko-type dolls for cadets, guards, sailors or soldiers.

With continuous updating, according to the war news that arises in the real world, 'narco souvenirs' now represent both a commercial trend and a reflection of narco-culture in the digital age.

The controversial commercial trend that reflects Mexican narco-culture

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