The Deep State largely had control from the beginning of the Republic. They intensified, broadened, deepened & worsened their evildoers control the last century dramatically.
It may fit in with the other stuff, but here's a story that also makes me think some of these gangs have been broken up and have started talking:
This girl disappeared out of Washington two years ago, and was found in rural Mexico. How was she found down there without somebody getting captured and talking?