At its time, it was one of the poorest and most dangerous areas in Colombia, known for rampant drug trafficking and inhabited by the poverty stricken.

[1] Originally located on the 9th and 10th streets of Bogota between carreras 13 and 13A, the area expanded over the years to occupy most of the neighborhood of Santa Inés.

Urban legend states that in one point, El Cartucho got so bad, a crocodile was somehow brought in, and stored in a hollowed-out basement in one of the homes that was turned into a makeshift enclosure, and named Pepe.

[4] The name Cartucho has been generalized to refer to any zone of extreme urban decay, particularly those rife with crime and drug violence.

Due to the destruction of El Cartucho, the illicit drug activities which were once conducted in the area have moved to adjacent neighborhoods, although in a reduced capacity.