cartel
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cartel
A group of companies that make illegal agreements to eliminate competition, for example through uniform prices or the division of markets.
Das Bundeskartellamt hat gegen das Baukartell eine hohe Geldstrafe verhängt.
The Federal Cartel Office imposed a heavy fine on the construction cartel.
cartel
A large, tightly organized criminal organization that is active mainly in the illegal drug trade.
Die Polizei führt einen erbitterten Kampf gegen das mexikanische Drogenkartell.
The police are waging a fierce battle against the Mexican drug cartel.
The word 'Kartell' (cartel) has a strongly negative and illegal connotation in both meanings. It never describes a legal or legitimate form of cooperation.
Die Regierung hat den Kartellen den Kampf angesagt.
The government has declared war on the cartels.
Whether an economic cartel or a drug cartel is meant is revealed by the context. If it is about prices, markets, and companies, the economic meaning is intended. If it is about drugs, violence, and organized crime, the criminal organization is meant.
Die EU-Kommission ermittelt gegen ein mögliches Kartell von Autoherstellern.
The European Commission is investigating a possible cartel of car manufacturers.
In an economic context, companies 'bilden' (form) a cartel. Authorities such as the Federal Cartel Office can 'gegen ein Kartell ermitteln' (investigate a cartel) or 'es zerschlagen' (break it up).
Es ist illegal, ein Kartell zur Absprache von Preisen zu bilden.
It is illegal to form a cartel to fix prices.
In the meaning of a criminal organization, 'Kartell' (cartel) is almost always associated with drug trafficking. The most common and best-known combination is 'das Drogenkartell' (the drug cartel).
Der Journalist berichtete über die Macht der Drogenkartelle in Südamerika.
The journalist reported on the power of the drug cartels in South America.
ring
Both words can refer to a group working together secretly or illegally. A “Kartell” typically involves agreements between companies, for example about prices or markets, while a “Ring” more generally means a coordinated secret network. Use “Kartell” for agreements that restrict competition and “Ring” in other cases.
Mehrere Unternehmen bildeten ein Kartell und verlangten dieselben Preise.
Several companies formed a cartel and charged the same prices.
Die Polizei verfolgte einen Ring, der heimlich Waren über die Grenze brachte.
The police pursued a ring that was secretly smuggling goods across the border.
