A notorious Mexican drug cartel is attempting to gain a foothold in the Seattle area and the Pacific Northwest, according to U.S. investigators. A Mexican criminal group called the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, or CJNG), has been on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) radar in recent years, and now, officials from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Homeland Security Investigations say its operations extend nationwide, with notable activity in Washington state. Mexico’s fastest-rising cartel has a presence in at least 20 Mexican states, as well as Mexico City, with its base of operations in Jalisco and Colima. According to the Insight Group, CJNG, which was established in July 2010, is known for its aggressive use of violence and its public relations campaigns. It uses videos and social media to threaten rivals while promising civilians that it won’t prey on them with extortion and kidnappings—a promise …