Heather Jeanney Dashner Monk (asker) May 2, 2015:

Thanks so much for your answers. The reason you'd use "chicks" is that "pollita" means "laying hens" and thus the refrerence to fowl ("chicks" being slang for women in US English). And it's a narco-corrido, so, of course it's positive. That's what they're all about! "In the mix" is a nice tone, and "to be reckoned with" is right on the mark, if a bit long. But you've certainly answered my question, as has Charles D. with his DRAE comment...I don't know why I didn't think of that. Always good to be among like thinkers. Thanks again.

Yvonne Gallagher May 2, 2015:

@ Asker
I really don't undersand why you would translate "pollitas" as "chicks" for drug traffickers? Surely that's not the right word here? Maybe just (young) women? Similary "of importance"/"important" makes it seem drug trafficking is a good thing. I much prefer Charles' "to be reckoned with..." or David's "involved"

Charles Davis May 1, 2015:

It's in the DRAE "cuenta
[...]
de ~.
1. loc. adj. Dicho de una persona: De importancia. Hombre de cuenta"
http://lema.rae.es/drae/?val=cuenta