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Mexican farmers initially found it much more profitable to smuggle illicit alcohol than to continue traditional farming, much like bootleggers in the United States. Following the Prohibition's end, the drug trade adapted to include marijuana and even polarizing opiates, primarily driven by American demand.
Establishment and Rise of Cartels
The groundwork for modern day cartels began with the Guadalajara cartel, which seized control of cocaine distribution into the U.S. by establishing crucial ties with Colombian traffickers. As these operations expanded, so did their insidious influence over local and national governance in Mexico, creating a chain of corruption wherein law enforcement and politicians alike turned a blind eye to their nefarious dealings.