The U.S. Coast Guard has been dealing with illegal red snapper harvests in the Gulf of Mexico for decades. The Coast Guard's crews often catch lanchas suspected of illegally fishing for species such as snapper and sharks. The Mexican drug cartel, Cártel del Golfo (the Gulf Cartel), is considered the primary culprit. The illegal catch can fetch up to $30 a pound and is often tagged for export to the United States. Once returned to Mexico, the lancheros tag their catch for export with counterfeit tags or lying to Mexican government officials about where they caught the fish. The problem is not just an issue for conservationists but a serious issue for the public.