Following the consolidation of the Heywood Cartel, the organization evolved from a simple alliance of gangs into an independent criminal structure.
Unlike other organizations, the Cartel does not replace existing gangs. The Valentinos, Maelstrom, and Hustlers continue to operate with their own identities, territories, and cultures. However, a portion of their members answers directly to the Cartel and participates in its operations.
This structure allows for the unification of resources, personnel, and logistics without dissolving the original organizations.
The organization is divided into six hierarchical levels.
Level 1 – The Directorate
The Directorate represents the supreme authority of the Cartel. Its members define the organization’s general strategy, approve large-scale operations, and make the most significant political and economic decisions.
Level 2 – Gang Representatives
Consists of high-ranking members from the various gangs who collaborate directly with the Cartel. These representatives maintain influence within their respective organizations and act as the link between the Cartel’s structure and the gangs. This level may also include individuals with no gang affiliation who lead specialized departments, such as logistics or transportation.
Level 3 – Gang Operators
These are experienced members who manage the criminal infrastructure of each gang. Their responsibilities include wholesale distribution, warehouse management, facility security, route control, and coordination with the Cartel’s operational structure.
This is the final level belonging to the gangs.
The Transition
From this point forward, the structure no longer belongs to any specific gang. The following levels are part of the Cartel exclusively, and their members no longer answer to the Valentinos, Maelstrom, or Hustlers, but solely to the organization.
Level 4 – Capos Regime
The Capos Regime constitute the Cartel’s first level of internal command. Each Capo is tasked with managing a specific territory, operation, or sector of the organization. To fulfill their duties, they may lead one or several crews, reporting to the gang representative who controls the territory or activity in which they operate.
Level 5 – Soldiers
Soldiers make up the Cartel’s operational force. They are organized into crews under the command of a Capo Regime and carry out the organization’s daily activities. A crew’s functions vary by specialization, including security, distribution, retail sales, transportation, shock forces, or asset protection.
Level 6 – Associates
Associates are the lowest level of the organization. They hold no authority within the Cartel and generally work as support personnel for the Soldiers. They perform tasks such as surveillance, transportation, courier services, logistics, errands, and other minor activities. A single Soldier may coordinate several Associates depending on the needs of their crew.
It is important to distinguish between the two. The gangs continue to exist independently and retain their identities. The Cartel utilizes part of the infrastructure and personnel of these organizations but develops its own chain of command.
For this reason, the gang structure ends at Level 3. From Level 4 onward, the Cartel’s exclusive hierarchy begins.