>Organised crime groups in Mexico have about 175,000 members – making them the fifth-biggest employer in the country, according to new research published in the journal Science
But the US is where most of the drugs go after mexico. It is a multinational industry.
Drugs isn't even where the cartels make most of their money anymore, is it? I was under the impression iron mining was their #1 source of revenue nowadays with avocados, limes, and logging also being big money-makers.
Avocados are expensive sure but how can you beat $24/gram? Trade risk of spoilage for risk of seizure.
If you control most of the vertical, drugs are pretty massive profit margin. Probably more than bottled water.