Building a successful empire in Cartel Tycoon requires careful planning, upgrading key facilities, and managing resources effectively. This guide dives into strategic expansion, upgrades, and the logistical improvements necessary to maximize efficiency while keeping the authorities at bay. If you’re looking to optimize your cartel operations and ensure sustainable growth, this is the guide for you.

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Understanding the Terror System

One of the most important mechanics to keep an eye on is terror. As you grow your cartel, authorities start paying more attention. Once you reach two stars, you are permanently marked. Unfortunately, there is no way to remove stars once you gain them, which makes managing terror levels proactively crucial.

How to Manage and Reduce Terror

• Use mayors to lower terror before reaching a new star level.
• Avoid unnecessary aggression—seizing territories increases heat.
• Expand strategically and avoid rapid, high-profile actions.
• Balance your operations between legal and illegal businesses to lower attention.

Without proper management, your cartel could be overwhelmed by law enforcement, making operations more difficult.

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Capturing the Three Seaports: Key Expansion Strategy

A major objective in this phase is to capture all three seaports:

1. Puerto Roja (already controlled).
2. Los Grandes (next target).
3. Soledoco (final target, requiring further expansion).

Since Soledoco is two regions away, there are two ways to expand:

• Through Takarina—requires settlement first.
• Through Tensaka—a direct approach with fewer territorial obstacles.

Capturing all three ports ensures maximum export capacity, allowing for larger profits and expansion of high-value products.

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Upgrades: Maximizing Production & Efficiency

Once expansion is underway, upgrading infrastructure is critical to maintain smooth operations. The key facilities to upgrade include:

1. Workshop Upgrades

The Workshop 2 upgrade provides:

• Expanded product categories—spice, cocaine, meth, and high-value contraband.
• Faster processing speed—reducing storage overflow and maximizing profits.
• Additional export slots—allowing more goods to be moved simultaneously.

2. Farms and Plantations

Upgrading farms and plantations boosts:

• Storage capacity—Plantations hold 150 units vs. Farms’ 38 units.
• Production efficiency—Faster crop yields mean more supply for your operations.
• New resources—Unlocks cannabis and coffee for diversified business growth.

3. Warehouse Expansion

Efficient transport and storage are crucial. Warehouse upgrades provide:

• Increased storage from 125 to 200 units.
• More trucks, enhancing transport capacity.
• Larger delivery radius—reducing congestion and improving logistics.
• Multiple delivery destinations—allowing more strategic movement of goods.

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Optimizing Transport and Logistics

1. Managing Transport Routes Efficiently

To keep supply chains running smoothly:

• Use Workshops to convert raw goods into high-value products.
• Ensure transport routes are short and optimized.
• Upgrade roads to gravel for faster truck movement.
• Expand seaports and aerodromes for increased export capacity.
• Balance warehouse loads to avoid transport delays.

2. Researching Key Technologies

Investing in research allows better efficiency:

• Farm & Plantation Level 3 for optimized production.
• Warehouse & Workshop Level 3 for greater storage and transport capacity.
• Aerodrome expansion to handle larger shipments.
• Improved roads to increase transport speed.

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Improving Money Laundering and Revenue Flow

A growing cartel needs an efficient money-laundering system. Here’s how to keep funds moving:

• Invest in residences to automate laundering.
• Build additional laundering hubs such as casinos and banks.
• Upgrade transport systems to move money faster.
• Avoid stockpiling excessive dirty money to prevent shutdowns.

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Final Thoughts: The Road to a Bigger Empire

With upgraded infrastructure, optimized logistics, and strategic expansion, your cartel can continue its growth trajectory while managing risks effectively. The next steps involve:

• Securing all three seaports to dominate export operations.
• Maximizing workshop output to ensure constant product flow.
• Enhancing road and warehouse networks for seamless transportation.
• Balancing legal and illegal operations to mitigate police intervention.

With constant updates and new strategies, staying ahead in Cartel Tycoon requires adaptability. By following these strategies, you’ll ensure your cartel thrives while outmaneuvering authorities and competitors.