How The Cartels In Mexico Have Moved In On The Tobacco Industry (6/26/24)

The Epstein Chronicles

Mexican drug cartels have increasingly turned to the tobacco industry as a new revenue stream amidst crackdowns on traditional narcotics. One prominent player, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has been implicated in forcing cigarette vendors in several Mexican states to sell only specific brands, often under threat of violence. This operation, often referred to as the "Tobacco Cartel," employs tactics such as posing as government officials to confiscate non-approved brands and intimidate vendors.
The shift to the tobacco market is partly driven by declining revenues from traditional drug markets. Legalization of marijuana in several regions, increased law enforcement pressure on heroin distribution, and the rise of synthetic drugs like fentanyl have squeezed profits from older drug trades, pushing cartels to diversify into areas like tobacco​. Moreover, local production of illegal cigarettes is a new phenomenon in Mexico, with cartels collaborating with local tobacco growers to meet demand, thereby reducing reliance on international smuggling networks​.
In this episode, we take a trip south of the border to see how the Cartels are making their move into this market and why it matters to you.
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From drug trafficking to tobacco: Cigarettes become a new branch of business for Mexican cartels | International | EL PAÍS English (elpais.com)
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