How the Mexican cartels are making profits now

Mexican cartels and criminals are the leading producers of illegal synthetic drugs. This shift is fuelling the latest phase in America’s opioid crisis.
00:00 - The growing market of illicit synthetic drugs
01:05 - Mexico’s booming production of illegal fentanyl
02:22 - The third wave of America's opioid crisis
03:56 - What are the costs of illicit fentanyl production?
04:53 - How is illegal fentanyl manufactured?
05:33 - What is China’s role?
06:51 - How dangerous is producing fentanyl?
07:53 - Why have cartels turned to fentanyl?
09:33 - Why are fentanyl pills so popular?
11:39 - The gig economy and illicit drug production
12:51 - How is fentanyl production democratising Mexico’s drug market?
Sign up to our daily newsletter to keep up to date: econ.st/3n3kIjj
Why have Black Americans overtaken white victims in opioid death rates? econ.st/3N5xgBs
How does naloxone reverse opioid overdoses? econ.st/3O4uE8d
How are Latin American politicians dealing with the war on drugs? econ.st/3OklHHv
How did Latin American drug cartels overcome pandemic supply-chain problems? econ.st/3Opv88T
Is drug trafficking to blame for violence in Latin America? econ.st/3xXG0p4
The deficiencies of the Latin American state loom large econ.st/3xZ9jHC

[@ronemchowry180]

Nice to see the cartels surviving through this economy. Always been worried about them.

[@obscurerides]

😂

[@richardsprague2312]

cartels are the drug trade are the picture perfect example of capitalism at its finest. Thats why they simply can not be stopped. The profit always outweighs the risk.

[@Lightyagami-tx2xb]

😂😂

[@drplando14]

Probably because American demand. Stop using and cartel will stop producing it (however, they will enter another market cause there will be a demand for some other illegal drug Americans shove into their bodies)

[@rainer9825]

You should watch the video. Only two of the eight big cartels survived.

[@skubasteve8526]

My friend just passed days ago due to fent. Check on your people guys. All it takes is a little bit to end a life. Always looked out for me, rest easy Bryan

[@danielbooth5035]

@Deng Nicca you must be struggling a lot right now to be such a hurtful troll. Trolling is one thing but imagine your own friend died and someone lied on the internet about being partly responsible for their death. I hope you find the help you need.

[@_spicypainliquor]

@Deng Nicca loser

[@alexnava786]

Sorry for your loss. Your friend started taking pharmaceutical pain killers or directly from street fent?

[@osuave7811]

@@danielbooth5035 Look at you getting triggered by a mindless posting. What's your solution to these issue.

[@corvusglaive5769]

I think the US society needs a restructuring. You guys spend a lot of time talking about China and Russia being a threat but I think the biggest threat to the US is the US itself. If something is not done within the next few decades the society will implode in itself. Some of the philosophies and systems that have held the country together have become dysfunctional. The opioid crisis is just one example of that. The DEA spends a lot of time trying to address supply rather than the demand. If the demand is not there, the supply will just fade away.

[@user-ro9md9wp3j]

I like how you specify "Mexican cartels and criminals" as if the pharmaceutical companies aren't criminals 🤣

[@Wkumar07]

Exactly

[@arevolvingdoor3836]

A criminal means that they broke the law, by that definition pharmaceutical companies are not all criminals, however that doesn't mean their legal activities are morally acceptable.

[@Faze-2]

If they are complying with the law, they are not criminals. They can be awful though

[@cesareoporras1517]

China work with cartels & they work for DEA FBI they have treaties & are protected

[@zechidvjchi9675]

where do you draw the line between morally wrong and “as long as they follow the law it’s not criminal” ??

[@bigbadwolf4419]

2 most important questions that nobody asks 1 why are Americans addicted to drugs what's the root cause of this? 2 why do big pharma manufacture addiction they get away with but everyone else doesn't? If you don't solve the real reason why people get addicted to drugs no laws guns or prison cells will ever do.

[@Dies_Das_Ananas]

to 1.) cause human brains starve for dopamin outbursts. and it's the easiest way to do so. to 2.) money, money, money, lobbying, greedy humans

[@pepperonish]

for #1: childhood trauma

[@shebamaree9026]

last year my 80 year old neighbor died from an overdose. she got addicted after her hip surgery. the older generation is doing the pill popping now.

[@ytvladnoob24]

Misinformation

[@user-ro9md9wp3j]

this

[@hasan0770816268]

Commentator: To make this drug, you need complete disregard to human life. Drug dealer: It ain't much, but its honest work 🤷

[@mindripperful]

Its the Drug Not the Psychopathic all for profit system we're in right? Blame the Brown and Blacks.

[@Crazyjazy2012]

perspective

[@charleswomack2166]

There is a sort of cognitive dissonance there. I know that when I turn on my air conditioning, I am contributing to the global warming, but I choose not to think about it!

[@imafackinjunglist]

Yeah but it’s like salt. If you ate 30-70 grams of salt you would die. No one does that because salt is disgusting. That’s is the only reason it is legal. There are people who consume 3-4oz of some compounds and don’t have a single problem. Case closed.

[@brightwinter9334]

​@@charleswomack2166 🤣🤣🐑🐑 Why did you fall for that sham? The Earth goes through cycles whether or not you turn on the AC!

[@daharos]

Love how it points out the obvious, legalization of cannabis in so many states has reduced large sums of revenue from the cartels... full decriminalization would reduce cartel money even more... there's a limit to consumption of drugs like fentanyl. Decriminalize more, take away the 'mystique' factor of drugs and invest more in treatment and outreach.

[@derekd1510]

And what is produced can be regulated.

[@MyOldNameWasTaken]

It has but also, not really. And before you accuse me of trying to be anti legalization, my reason as to why I say it has helped reduce cartel profits by less than what most people would think is because in a lot of those states the taxes off of those LEGAL sales are HUGE. The state governments are making it so tough to comply with arbitrary regulations and the insane amount of sales tax that it has become more profitable to sell their products under the table and not pay taxes on them just to compete with product sourced from the cartels. We need to compel our politicians to lower taxes for those kinds of products. The governors who support legalization aren't doing it because they care about our rights or safety. They see a huge potential for a massive source of state funding via over-taxed marijuana products.

[@shable1436]

No you can't tax drugs if they are legal 😂

[@sonderevokingbuns]

@@shable1436 literally everything is taxed.

[@jhoags92]

They legalized marijuana, the cartels start flooding the country with an unimaginably more addictive and deadly drug as a response, and you see this as a win for legalization?

[@chewface]

The cartels are fascinating. They are absolutely evil. We all know where they operate. Law enforcement often even knows EXACTLY where they are located, and the names and identities of all the members. And yet.....they miraculously never seem to get raided. Never shut down. Never attacked. Never assassinated. Never held accountable. The only time anything bad happens to cartel members....is when rival cartel members attack. This phenomenon will never cease to amaze me.

[@maryham7266]

they hold to much power unfortunately for the government to do anything. Then again the mexican government is just as corrupt

[@ARG23supreme]

Govermet knows but govermet tolerates if it has interest from it. Not only the poor are profitig from drugs, everyone has interest from selling drugs, USA and Mexico.

[@dannylo5875]

Police really can't deal with sophisticated criminals and narfarious individuals and their activities can not be stopped.

[@onsidelegal1002]

watch 'the last narc'. you will gain a deeper understanding of the big picture:)

[@lephilosopheinconnu3952]

@@onsidelegal1002 Thank you for recommendations. Checking it now

[@ayzax]

It's easy. The government has to overtake the whole fentanyl market by giving pharmaceutical grade fentanyl either for free or for a low price, in clinics where patients are given apropriate doses while being observed. Then start to reduce gradually with psychological assistance.

[@Danny-bh1il]

If it’s so easy then to do thqy

[@wcoasttigger]

Weaning addicts is much more successful than punishing them with cold turkey acute withdrawal. If you are slowly weaned off with psychological support for any underlying cause, they succeed. I quit an addiction with this method. Its not hard when you do it this way. Methadone and subox are in that vein. But other countries just wean them off the exact drug so as to not add another substance to withdrawal from. Its been over 15 years. It's not that hard if you have real psychological support. Not just 12 step stuff. That doesn't address underlying causes.

[@user-wh6yx4kr7z]

What about doing a report on the US Cartel, the pharmaceutical companies. They are just equally bad and are the same as a cartel.

[@raybod1775]

Pharmaceutical companies start most addictions, so they’re worse.

[@georgel7787]

Politically incorrect! Someone else needs to be blamed.

[@byhyew]

The medias are on their payroll...

[@marco477utep]

@@georgel7787 Drug companies got Americans addicted to these drugs but are not called criminals but then someone beats them in their game and automatically are called criminals. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@maxzone8648]

Breaking Bad has actually increased my interest in this subject.

[@vishnusupertramp]

You have a point

[@arunx64]

Continue to Better Call Saul and Narcos

[@SuperTonyony]

"I am the one who knocks!"

[@utkarshshrivastava9047]

😢

[@TheCommunicationCoach]

Which is exactly why it's a junk show that should never have been made. NO excuse or whiny illness should ever motivate anyone to do this to other people. Apparently, Saul is the only one with any brains in this sick show.

[@onisgagan2481]

Well done story, it shows the sophistication of these groups and their continuing ability to adapt. Unfortunately this crisis isn’t going away anytime soon…

[@tiggercampbell6198]

sophistication? did we watch the same vid? these cartels are just surviving..

[@Adam-kk7nw]

So we should drop nuke on them

[@marco477utep]

Drug companies got Americans addicted to these drugs but are not called criminals but then someone beats them in their game and automatically are called criminals. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@johnsimpson5471]

I can't believe these fentynal cooks have to risk their lives cooking it. They can't afford the right equipment. We should feel bad

[@easntx]

@@marco477utep dumb take. Legit pharmaceutical companies help untold millions deal with debilitating conditions. Your heroes sell death to vulnerable people. Not to mention the counterfeit Xanax or fentanyl laced coke. Not even close to the same thing.

[@perseus9428]

What I get from this is: America's moral weakness, corruption and entitled self indulgence is the impetus behind the Cartels' success.

[@MsMimo07]

I like how they mostly used stock footage from Brazil to show messed up places😂

[@palheiro5560]

Lol there is no Drug cartels in Brazil, Brazilian gangs just like American gangs work with the distribution of drugs that come Hispanic countries

[@nomadicroadrat]

@Ms Mimo Does it make any difference from where the stock footage is filmed? Every country has its messed up places.

[@ryanreis8814]

@@palheiro5560 I don’t think that’s tru a lot of Brazilian gangs have big trafficking routes

[@Tom-qp6oh]

I thought I recognized the footage of dude with a ridiculously large scope mounted on his M4.

[@luisfernandohernandezbravo4819]

It's not Brazil. You can see places like those in the north of Mexico City and in many places of 'Estado de México'.

[@georgecoull1883]

I give you so much respect for reporting this story! Much appreciated love from 🇺🇸

[@chelseagoldsmith5267]

Our public officials are helping them! 💯

[@ericme5715]

Not public officials but also common Americans

[@bigdaddytrips6197]

They get paid off . Figure it out.

[@chelseagoldsmith5267]

@@ericme5715 public officials and yes regular citizens as well. They took over my community and done a lot of research on it. It’s definitely both ❤️

[@dahbajanman7044]

The only people to blame are the users.

[@chelseagoldsmith5267]

@@dahbajanman7044 Sometimes. every situation is unique.

[@milekragulj325]

One word. Demand. Without demand cartels wouldn't exist.

[@jonatand2045]

Demand can't be easily eliminated, but the useless war on drugs that makes them rich can.

[@Danny-bh1il]

@@jonatand2045 I’m sure they ducking bombs from the drug war, it’s real

[@lephilosopheinconnu3952]

@@jonatand2045 I think we should start thinking about putting in jail or execute drug addicts. They're lost and they get us into a lot of trouble. I know I might be dreaming but it's AN OPTION

[@lollololololololololololo]

@@jonatand2045 thats the addicts problem not ours

[@jonatand2045]

@@lollololololololololololo It would be, but the war on drugs creates more criminals and wastes taxes.

[@arslansattar5699]

that's why USA should pay attention inside of their country first. thank you

[@PHlophe]

Arslan, Tamam !

[@jowhit226]

We can start by kicking out anyone who doesn't belong here.

[@jiimmyboi12]

@@jowhit226 hahaha what are u the gatekeeper.

[@edwardr8826]

Actually US army should go to Mexico and destroy all the cartels who create all these drugs and violence

[@jowhit226]

@@jiimmyboi12 Harharhar no that's your government's job, to keep out the illegals and their descendants harharhar

[@p4polecatpremiumpodcastspr288]

Thank you to @TheEconomist for this segment, and for reporting this without inserting the political rhetoric that accompanies the vast majority of news from the MSM in our country (the globalized world) today.

[@gggromay]

The Economist is wrong.. 40 years fighting a "war on drugs" has only proven that its the wrong strategy, it doesnt work, it has never worked, it has never stopped drugs. Truth is millions of innocent people die fighting a war to save drug addicts, but drug addicts want to keep using by their own will, so they should be responsible for their own decisions, not everyone else. The fact is that supply follows demand, follow the money and you know who is responsible for all this, calling the cartels "Mexican" is like calling Ford a Mexican brand because their cars are built there, or Apple a Chinese brand, Mexicans are only offering cheap labor to supply the US demand, we pay for the product, their wages, we make the business posible, the US fuels the supply with billions of dollars, then we fuel the violence with tons of guns, then we say its Mexico's problem, that is frankly absurd. Legalize drugs, prohibition is already proven over and over that it doesnt work, so let each person be responsible for their own lives, invest all this billion$ on public awareness and educational campaigns to help drug addicts make better choices for themselves. Lets just stop pretending this is created by another country and wasting endless amounts of money on useless fake efforts that never accomplish anything

[@sam-fc9ky]

The economist like most media is all manipulated to fool the public whilst your own governnments/military are dirtier dogs than the mexicans- See kay griggs utube all 8 hours

[@reino651]

Drug addiction is horrible. When you get hooked it's over. I'm from the Eastside of st paul Minnesota. I know how bad it is personally. All I have to say is Don't do drugs especially if you never had used them before.

[@sphenoidjjj]

People can recover after addiction but its best not to ever touch drugs in the first place

[@sunriseeternity300]

People produce what people want. Two ways to change the situation. Legalize and the market will crash or We (the U.S.) find something else to do with our wealth and stop using what they produce. invest into mental health for all and we will start seeing different choices.

[@analyticalmindset]

Facts but that looks like socialism to Americans and socialism bad

[@petew-berg7791]

Legalize and the market will crash?? Wrong. Please see: alcohol and marijuana for a nice history lesson… I vote option 2

[@dimitargerov3139]

Too much common sense in you... The government doesn't work in our benefits

[@ytvladnoob24]

Teach the kids so they can see how bad it is.

[@verygoodbrother]

@@petew-berg7791 The illegal black market will crash alongside the crime that goes with it. Alcohol and marijuana related crime from distribution has gone down as a result of legalisation.

[@achildsheart4658]

Cartel vs pharmaceutical companies this will be a battle

[@alaskangirl7475]

Back in Obama’s day a new opioid bill was signed into law….consequences are pretty obvious now.

[@futavadumnezo]

Battle of the ages

[@firstlast8258]

@@alaskangirl7475 drugs are bad mkay

[@jmindito]

And as long as there is demand, there will always be supply. This also must be seriously addressed.

[@zaig.s5329]

I always wonder why so many kids and young people consume this drugs in USA, the cartels have tried to sell it in Mexico and they haven't been successful. So there's most be something of why kids there took them. I hope all that situation can be solve

[@zaig.s5329]

@@aduantas I don't think that's the reason tho, probably one of the reason but not the number 1. A lot of people in USA everytime I go seems to have some kind of lonely life. For a country like that it amazes me why there's so many depression. It should be diferent, people from USA in general are really nice people, I hope that situation change with time.

[@weiwujiang6884]

@@zaig.s5329 maybe people in US are totally normal that they just stay theirselves, no need to involve in family or extend family activities, not to mention be in touch with friends closely

[@Kaihegon]

I just think it way more profitable to sell in US. They said average pay is $23USD/day in Mexico... Who will they sell to? Their own gang members or other dealers? Those are the only people who have any money over there

[@zaig.s5329]

@@weiwujiang6884 I don't know, but then way there's so much depression? I have family there and they all say the same that life there is some how lonley even kids sometimes are depressed.

[@zaig.s5329]

@@Kaihegon that's not true, planty of people in Mexico can pay that, there's a lot people with money, what they say is that kids don't accept it, don't want to buy it, but they have tried, the percentage is lower. And not to mention that the cartels get the money to operate and the guns from USA. Some one or some people from there wants them to keep the business and keep their people in a bad situation.

[@jsoto185]

Did she just say the average wage in Mexico is $23 a day...? People get way less than that. More like $10

[@shrayesraman5192]

Probably depends where. There are some places in Mexico that are relatively rich like Monterrey etc.

[@surplusking2425]

Average does not mean minimum or low

[@jsoto185]

@@surplusking2425 do you live in Mexico?

[@alien3303]

I live in Mexico i get paid 5.15 dollars an hour it ain’t much but my monthly expenses are only 150 dollars.There are great jobs with great pay but yes the minimum is 150 pesos a day which is a little bit more than 7 dollars a day.But living in Mexico is much lower so you can’t compare another country

[@blantant]

Dear lord this comment section

[@mirygalas6508]

Cruel traffic of wild life is also a devastating diversification of organized crime that doesn't get mentioned enough.

[@moarminerals]

I feel really sorry for the people that are unrelated to this whole thing, but end up being dragged into it anyway due to cartel violence. Both producers and consumers are disgusting.

[@r.edward5701]

Just remember. This all would not be an issue if big pharma hadn't lied about opiates being "non-addictive"

[@PEJK6771]

They don’t mention the smuggling of hundreds of thousands of illegals aswell

[@rappsongs]

a family member of mine who suffers from PTSD (He was an army veteran) passed away today from Fentanyl poisoning. I say “poisoning” because he was unaware of it being laced.

[@youngbloodnba]

Maybe he shouldnt have done drugs at all. Like you cant trust that

[@kellyjordan6440]

The question to ask is "What is wrong with our culture for people to seek and use these drugs?" Clearly the life we live does not make us happy..

[@ameyas7726]

Everybody like to be a pirate once in a while..

[@leathan7]

Assumption based on hypothetical assumption O.o A+

[@leathan7]

​@Avin Kavish Still an assumption, I think what your trying to say is you agree with his opinion.

[@Sebastian_Michaelis]

Biden is what's wrong.

[@mqb3gofjzkko7nzx38]

@Avin Kavish Human intuition and wisdom tells me that human intuition and wisdom is deeply flawed.

[@YutaBLv]

Cartels produce illegally and pharma produce legally. The fact that they act like cartels are the only ones profiting from deaths is baffling.

[@caesarsalad1170]

Except pharma companies don't really fillet people and hang them from bridges.

[@leathan7]

If we are being fair Pharma is just a bigger cartel, I'm sure if the smaller cartels could afford armies of lawyers they would also be legal and vice versa :'D

[@keemrichhh4513]

True but look at prescription opioids deaths from 1996-2010 when they were giving away oxy like candy. It’s not even 1/5 of the deaths we’re seeing now. Fentanyl is a huge problem, bigger than oxy my guy. Legalize and regulate recreationally used opioid, because during the peak of the first stage of the opioid epidemic this many people weren’t dying.

[@NoName-ww1lr]

The world we live in, huh....

[@School_Me]

My 22 year old nephew just lost his life to fetenal 2 weeks ago 😢 plz talk to your kids about it

[@School_Me]

@Bryan Zepeda 👍🏼

[@efolinsky]

They know… especially at 22…. What they may not know is that most street drugs (coke, Molly etc are cut with fent)

[@School_Me]

@@efolinsky are they really putting in coke? Don’t make sense it’s a total different high , coke is a upper and fet is a downer

[@TheOrangeRoad]

@@School_Me Yes, we had test strips for our blow since a bunch of people died from them cutting

[@efolinsky]

@@School_Me I’m aware. But yes yes they are.

[@susannahepstein8883]

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[@bobwilson8540]

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[@lindsey2894]

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[@user-fu2cq4tw9k]

...

[@susannahepstein8883]

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[@malikforeman6446]

The best feeling is knowing you're going to make a gain today and tomorrow, and you're 100% sure, Patricia you're a Genius

[@danielflores4217]

For a large group of consumers 🇺🇸 It has to be a bigger distributor 🇲🇽

[@lephilosopheinconnu3952]

A b s o l o u t e l y

[@migo2589]

Cartels and corrupt officials is the formula

[@jonatand2045]

The war on drugs applies the formula.

[@harveyprobz94]

It’s wild that they only make about $100 a day cooking that stuff. I work in HR, and I make about $192 a day before taxes.

[@kylew8479]

Honest work

[@danthadon87]

@Terrence Harvey Their $100 goes a lot farther in Mexico than your $192 does in the US.

[@icantwiththis]

Do you make that money in Mexico?

[@stevemiddleton5278]

Yes, but his income is absolutely tax-free. If you pay 33% tax, you only earn 20 bucks more than him!

[@dexterlaboratory5056]

How many hours?

[@cheezee405]

Doesn’t the government see that legalizing marijuana had a SIGNIFICANT DROP in the cartels income? Do they not think the way thing would happen with other drugs? Such as opiates/opiods

[@MiguelHernandez-tb2rw]

Exactly, we should make drugs legal and have massive classes from k-12 about why not to consume drugs. That would be a big hit to Mexican cartels.

[@jonnywalker3208]

They make the best videos! 👌

[@peterjohnlerum6580]

“The problem is not us (Colombians and Mexicans) producing it, but it’s you *Americans consuming it.* As long as there’s demand we’ll keep producing” 💀

[@marcosffontes]

True.

[@mahikannakiham2477]

Yeah but ultimately no one is forcing Mexico to produce it. They clearly produce it because they want to, not because of American demand.

[@terriblefrosting]

You can't stop demand. Especially when the genie is out of the bottle like it is. Regulation and legalization is the only way to solve this.

[@jakkuwolfinsomnia8058]

Very true just like how people keep saying “this nation has a drug issue because of drug suppliers” I think “if we didn’t want it, nobody would buy it and the drug suppliers wouldn’t produce it” like we should be tackling it from both sides not just one 💀

[@charleswomack2166]

End the war on drugs!

[@beccalove8791]

Two of my friends lost their sons by overdosing on drugs. I decided to make my grandchildren listen to you tube videos of drug addicts that can’t stop taking drugs so they will understand what a hellish life the addicts have and how addicting these drugs are. I want to shock and scare them from ever getting started

[@butcheyler23]

Something that should be done in all our schools

[@Johnny-rj9on]

Just make them watch Requiem for a Dream

[@klattalexis]

@@butcheyler23 Actually this should be taught at home before kids reach school age. Parents need to scare their kids straight. However, with so many parents living under the influence of some mind-altering substances now it likely wouldn't work since kids emulate their parents as role models.

[@aaronolivarez348]

we all have diabetes !! Big FARMA and monsanto

[@michelley1503]

I mean the dare program never worked

[@kamaurahamukti5919]

scary but amazing documentary 🙏🏽

[@alexanderr3098]

So basically they’re becoming like American Pharmaceutical companies…. But a lot less regulated.

[@sgr_sgr]

Excellent, informative & well produced. Skilful economic insight into the reasons for a shift in product to market. Thank you!

[@jonatand2045]

Missing the elephant in the room, the futile war on drugs.

[@MarcPagan]

Fight crime, legalize drugs....all of them When's the last time distributors of Bud or Coors shot it out on a Chicago street corner to protect their territory? Or, someone died drinking spiked whiskey?

[@locacharliewong]

U mean like Portugal?

[@MarcPagan]

@@locacharliewong Yes, Amigo. And Switzerland has a successful mix of legalization and decriminalization too Both have resulted in fewer addicts or deaths, and less street crime...and....less money wasted on the criminal justice system on vice "crimes" such as drug consumption

[@cleanthestreets5843]

Cannabis is legalized in California and its only further opened the door for Mexican cartels into America's cannabis industry

[@malachi-]

Law enforcement would crumble, drugs is their bread&butter for funding, kickbacks and confiscation... they are addicted.

[@benjaminfranklin4760]

If your naive enough to think the governments in America and Mexico actually want to end drug addiction then I have some news for you 😔

[@gg_boi3041]

its very hard for the family when someone is addicted in the house

[@rhoanjcepe2029]

the way he empasizes the word "synthetically" makes me think think if there are natural ways to make fentanyl. i mean fentanyl is not even a naturally occuring compound.

[@elfm2717]

You can get a similar compound from coca leaves..its a long extraction process but you can get both granular and liquid form

[@killadougie7701]

There are natural opioids such as heroine as they said… lol fentanyl is a synthetic opioid…. Heroine comes from poppy plants, fentanyl is created in a lab

[@boobtoob2002]

I don’t know why the media doesn’t bother to differentiate between types of fentanyl and other synthetics

[@PHlophe]

By next month AI would have created about 50 types of those tbh.

[@jb8683]

Because they want to blame painkillers when in reality the deaths we see were not happening prior to them arresting doctors and taking legal clean pain killers off the streets and replacing it with Chinese death fentanyl. This way they demonize people in legit pain and push people to Chinese fentanyl to die.

[@leathan7]

As a person who writes "AI", its not. Hopefully never will be as that would merge biological engineering into my field.

[@willbrink]

Types of fentanyl ?

[@thomasjhun3700]

@@willbrink carfentanyl, benzodope, etc.

[@KASC92]

We call Mexican cartels criminal but not the pharmaceutical companies. Interesting how that works.

[@SkyRiver1]

Yes it's called legal definitions and it makes total sense.

[@handlethisnut]

There's no shortage of ppl like yourself already calling them criminal as well

[@firstlast8258]

@@handlethisnut they are not forcing anyone to buy or use their products

[@firstlast8258]

Splitting hairs

[@Grenadier311]

At least the RX companies abide by quality control standards and don't lace their other products with fentanyl.

[@USAads2023]

Don’t fight the manufacturers, fight the customers! Give free mental health and end the door of addiction

[@charr007]

Quite right

[@justafellowbrother7263]

This is why I keep narcan on me. If I happen to be the unlucky person to find somebody overdosing I'll be able to save them. I hear about people dying in my city from fentanyl like every other day

[@JesS-rs5gr]

How do I get narcan?

[@fotomagrol]

As longer as there is a market willing to pay any amount of money for this kind of products, these organizations would exist and adapt to new eras. The problem is in society, until people stop consuming this products.

[@dss5295]

Control has to always be applied both ways. Reducing access / availability will also help curb consumption.

[@BradySharrett]

And people will never stop taking their drug of choice. So regulate and save lives etc. So obvious at this point

[@jonatand2045]

@@dss5295 Not by much, specially this new and more accessible drugs. It should be treated as a public health issue.

[@scottfree6288]

Criminals will find crimes to commit. If not this, something else.

[@jonatand2045]

@@scottfree6288 Not if crime becomes less profitable.

[@mr.porter4373]

I miss regular drugs...😪

[@Steady_Valium_]

They should just sell real drugs

[@devanman7920]

@@Steady_Valium_ did you even watch the video?

[@mcnally211]

@@devanman7920 pssst. Its you thats missing his point. Delete youre comment. Its silly & you dont understand the situation & what hes talking about. Trust me.

[@steevopoguelife943]

Finally someone who feels as I do lol

[@yasirshaikh53]

Super excellent of The economist in electronic form

[@GoodDeedsBowieTX]

No one in America is Begging for this drug.

[@brofessormex]

oddly the cure to addiction exists in mexico and its illegal in the usa its called ibogaine and it also combats PTSD in veterans

[@doblet664]

This comment speaks the whole, bizarre, truth 🖖

[@lVladness]

We don't want to sell those to Americans .... big farms will lose money

[@user-ro9md9wp3j]

big pharma: sounds dangerous, better make it illegal

[@dannylo5875]

Yep.

[@189Blake]

Big pharma would lose tons of money

[@SebastianCastillohernandez]

honestly, if you think brazil and Mexico look the same, youre weirdly wrong! at least check the source content of your editors.

[@nomadicroadrat]

@Sebastian C. Had friends in Uni who went to Columbia for Spring Break. They thought it was southern Mexico because everyone there spoke Spanish and looked Mexican.

[@lephilosopheinconnu3952]

This "documetary" is garbage. That's clear

[@vivekaaraga]

The only to stop drug cartels is to stop taking drugs. It’s everyone’s responsibility to look out for one another. Unfortunately, that’s the only way.

[@judequalls8197]

No it’s to decriminalize drugs

[@duneboogie117]

"Basic knowledge of chemistry and disregard of human life is all you need"""......... What a simple yet real statement

[@mirygalas6508]

Inequality is an important motive for people to get involved in drug trafficking, and inequality is fuel by never ending greed by corporations. Jobs need to offer living wage remuneration.

[@juacartav3363]

Another factor promoting this kind of "entrepreneurship" is México's approach to combat crime, president López Obrador said in a press conference that his administration will fight cartels with "hugs, not bullets" (he literally said that, verbatim) and his wife months later said to the crowd at a political event, that the way to make criminals drop their weapons is to offer them books to read, thus they will become educated people and soon they will be driving tractors and plowing the land. It would be so funny if it wasn't so sad.

[@joelwillems4081]

They do. You just can't expect the instant millionaire status that t.v. and people like, apparently you, seem to think everyone should have. No where and place in history is it expected that someone owns there own house, has multiple cars, loads of vacation, expensive furniture and gadgets, people to do their hard work for them, ample savings and a comfortable life in their 20s or 30s. RETIREMENT as we now think of it is only a 20th century phenomenon and a later 20th century, after WWII, one at that. It is only industrialization, the electronics revolution, modern medicine and capitalism that allow for long lives, decent retirements and even early retirements. Here ends the lesson.

[@kastaway2]

Then do it!!! Give your money to others!!! What? Well, you own a computer. Why should you be allowed to own such a luxury item while others have none? Shame!!! Oh, but if you were in charge it would be different. Right? Well, why not just buy 2 computers and hand them to needy people. Let us know how that works. Then we can all join hands and buy the world a Coke. Oh wait Coca Cola is a corporation. Like computer companies. And farmers. And utilities …..

[@bysoftterry]

stop using Inequality as an excuse for committing crime!!!

[@adrianfleming3437]

@@bysoftterry Get where your coming from but it is part of the problem man it really is. But also get what your saying with stop blaming it all on that it's the easy answer to a fcking problem that has many different layers.

[@RajA-0202]

Do the independent drug contractors file their 1099s? Or is that not the correct filing 😉

[@diabolivirtusen-tavares-ea4645]

No, we keep a low profile, keep our real property out of our names, open a shell company, rinse & repeat

[@DR-54]

@@diabolivirtusen-tavares-ea4645 depends on the business model really, the factories in china (independent drug contractors) for instance have no need of having a shell company at all as they just report the illicit production along the licit production. They don't keep a low profile either, I have connections that could get me things like for licit drugs a kilogram of BZY, DXM, for a dollar, and many of these same companies will produce things like cancer treatments and RCs, but many of them are majorly important for more advanced trades like LSD which requires a decent lab setup that you wouldn't need for fentanyl (which these factories are still majorly important for) The preferred model is also very dependent on where you're from, many areas will use legal businesses either they or someone they know runs and report their illicit funds under that business for money laundering, Central California tends to do this as there's a watchful eye for shell companies but it is a very popular model everywhere to do this. For instance, where I live, on some streets over half of the businesses are running under and over the counter. It is simply more profitable to do this and has a lot more security, the police system here is failed so the only worry is about federal agencies.

[@Xenophene01]

The government and pharmaceutical companies don’t like competition 😅

[@thatgun6726]

Just found out today that my sister went across the border and hasn't come back since Saturday. Last seen in Del Rio at a motel 6 meeting a stranger about a "female only" job.

[@memoryman8462]

Legalize all drugs. Produce them under license and strict rules. Tax them heavily to offset their detretmental effects on society. Move on to the next problem.

[@ReekyCheeks]

Won’t stop illegal drugs. They will be cheaper and stronger

[@jpablo700]

"Tax them heavily..." Boom! Back to square one. You just created an unregulated black market to supply cheaper and more dangerous drugs than the over taxed, regulated and expensive one. Memory Man, any other "simple" solutions to an extremely complex problem?

[@eris7070]

@@jpablo700 not necessarily, alcohol is taxed heavily but you don't have a significant black market supplying cheaper liquor. Convenience and safety trumps price most of the time, especially convenience - hence people ordering takeout instead of cooking even though cooking is cheaper AND safer. Not to mention that it not being an illegal operation would probably lower the cost of producing and distributing it.

[@Ryan88881]

There will be no increased detriment of society to offset in the first place. You can just tax them normally.

[@hmalik5232]

You’re correct, except that they shouldn’t be taxed heavily because that’s wrong and will just allow the black market to continue to thrive

[@georgeherbertmoonwalkerbush]

You can't scare me into not doing drugs, you can love me into not doing drugs

[@gummysatan2679]

Exactly right.

[@kacpersarzynski4915]

you can be shot into not doing drugs

[@chilliecheesecake]

In my experience (both having been addicted myself and having dated or been friends with addicts), you can't even love anyone into not doing drugs. If you're gonna do drugs then you're gonna do them whether anyone loves you or not. Your choice, your responsibility, your problem.

[@will_the_warlord8913]

wat?

[@JakeStewart1343]

Bend over and I'll give you something more loving and pleasurable than Fent! 😎👍

[@LM8Gaming]

Crazy how the Cartels always have a camera crew on standby like literally 24/7! 'cause some of these B-roll shots would be SUPER difficult to find without just making it yourself.

[@dabberdan3200]

My insight is very very deep…. My brother in law is working down in Mexico City “driving trucks” lol 😂

[@R0tJ0ng]

when people have to get there own drugs.. u know the health care system is broken!

[@19ars92]

for the record, is a health care INDUSTRY*

[@mindripperful]

You wanna blame the Mexican Cartels but no one is blaming Sackler family.

[@TL-fe9si]

The dopesick drama blew my mind... Pure evil walking on earth...

[@function0077]

John Oliver did a hilarious job of verbally crucifying the Sackler family.

[@rajel2006]

Bullseye! 🎯

[@tony_5156]

@@function0077 funnily enough he’s probably funded by PFIZER

[@tobiisiba1641]

@@tony_5156 I swear I was just about to say the same,the own him, insulting them does nothing.

[@spinachtriangle]

'the huge volume of legal global trade'... maybe you guys should do an expose on the 'legal' trade which would dwarf what you are reporting on. Also some feedback about the playback, can you voice over the non-english bits with english like DW does please?

[@akultisgod5538]

i am obsessed with watching content about the illegal drug business. fascinating. im going to run my legal business like the illegal drug business.

[@pasofino9583]

You have to have loyal customers

[@larryc1616]

Massage parlors? 💋

[@loveudon6972]

Make your customers an offer they can't refuse 😜

[@folabomi713]

The FBI is watching

[@meeklynobody3230]

Best of luck. You have my support.

[@philipemoura6227]

I was wondering why there is footage from Rio de Janeiro in a video about Mexican cartels without any mention to Brazil. Indeed, between 13:58 and 14:01 the blue police car allows us to undoubtedly say the images are from Rio.

[@rauld434]

The just like favelas in western media

[@specialtramp]

This is one of, if not the best explainer on the dynamics of criminalized drug markets I've ever seen (I've worked in drug policy for over 30 yrs). I'd strongly urge Americans to focus on how 1) US demand drives the drug trade, 2) legalization out competes violent supply chains. The 50 yr US War on Drugs didn't reduced demand or break the cartels-but it has killed a lot of people here and abroad.

[@anthonyjackson7336]

US demand does NOT drive trade. The demand for hard drugs is much stronger in Latin America. Legalization doesn't hurt cartels with respect to hard drugs, they will just sell it legally. Secondly, these criminals will just sell something other than drugs in absence of drugs like avocados. You didn't learn anything in 30 years

[@anotherjewishsharpnicholas9425]

There isn't a demand for fentanyl. This is fake news.

[@markus717]

COMPLAINT: Subtitles not readable on mobile in landscape mode.. they're cut off. :(

[@shanabenjamin8945]

Lord, I pray for us all! It's sick how this drug pandemic has taken our world over!!

[@freethinker284]

Raise your kids better!

[@Kimjongil.]

Since the war on drugs started, drug use has exploded as has the violence associated with it, the only way to stop it is to make it decriminalised and for the government to take control, all prohibition has done is made some very evil people into very wealthy evil people, prohibition just doesn't work and the government knows it doesn't work, the whole war on drugs is a load of fakery, and a smokescreen, legalisation /decriminalisation and for government to take control of the market is the only way to fix this problem

[@thebellcurve3437]

Your Lord won't help, don't bothering praying because nothing fails like prayer.

[@anacc3257]

@@freethinker284 That's not enough when drugs are almost freely available everywhere, when dealers are pushing hard for it and when peer pressure sways the young. Not to mention pharma's influence on psychiatrists and doctors handing out addictive pills to regular people who don't really need them.

[@freethinker284]

@@anacc3257 Dealers aren't pushing anything on your kids. That is Hollywood. They deal with those they know and those that seek them out. What you are correct about is peer pressure coming from friends. If parents spent more time with their kids and raised them better instead of neglecting them, it would go a long way to stemming drug use.

[@SkyRiver1]

This is old tech, it is now possible to produce opioids using genetically modified yeast in technology similar to that used to brew beer in your garage. This requires no precursors and very little other than starter yeast water and sugar, and you only need the starter yeast once. The upside is it will probably be a lot safer.

[@NoName-de1fn]

That's interesting, I think I'm going to find out more.

[@NoName-de1fn]

Very interesting stuff, but I wonder if the tech is developed to the point of it being truly competetive yet.

[@guillermorojo6572]

I wonder about the yield effeciency of that method due to that being important for business, the cutting edge methods typically are novel but not the best method for mass profitable production. And considering the legal landscape down their they don't need to worry about precursor purchases being investigated etc. but that method you mentioned sounds neat for being low key in the US.

[@Ryan88881]

What kind of opioids can be produced this way? Can you name at least one chemical?

[@lancethrust9488]

MORE INFORMATION PLEASE WANT TO START MY OWN LAB ASAP

[@slickpick555]

Well done big parma Carving the way!..

[@thunder881]

Well made

[@MovieMan988]

You made a mistake saying it was an anaesthetic. It's actually an analgesic used as an adjunct agent to general anaesthetics during surgery.

[@alfonsomunoz4424]

I just don't understand the appetite for drugs in this country.

[@PHlophe]

Gringos are the ones fuelling demand.

[@isaakhanimann3559]

Its because people are in pain of every kind

[@a3.148]

"Americans" is the same as weak people, "semi-functional" drug addicts who have to live outside of reality because once they discover what life is like, you see it as drugged zombies.

[@sergelondon916]

Because the U.S is a crucial country to survive in.

[@lordrichardson4447]

@@isaakhanimann3559 No. Thats true for some. But plenty of people do drugs in a celebratory way. People who have no problems in life can also become addicts.

[@scoremxcom]

How about a "show" about the rich bankers that launder this money. How about a show about the American population who have lost their dreams and consuming most of the world's drugs. A show on how prohibition makes the product precious. How about a show on the bullying we've done to Mexico over the past 200 years?

[@honorladone8682]

Just like alcohol prohibition in the 1920s... If there's a will there's a way.

[@Ralph2k20]

The move from Cartels to a gig style format, which affects the world... This can be solved if the government just monetize the drugs, rather than saying their illegal...

[@shanabenjamin8945]

Prayers for all addicted!!

[@terriblefrosting]

Prayers don't do jack. Funds for rehabilitation and counseling, social equality, and regulation are needed now. You can't turn back time.

[@pepperonish]

f your prayers. help get these people clean and make sure we have a society that can provide meaning to people's lives.

[@therankingworld7627]

Criminals are far more sophisticated than we give them credit for

[@MexicoAdventurer]

Much of this is fairly accurate. There's still quite a bit that is not. But the general message is there.

[@HikikomoriDev]

They are awesome! Entrepreneurship!

[@sneakykilla12]

i love how the title tries to imply that they werent making a profit before

[@ThePhoenix109]

☝️☝️

[@aaron.aaron.v.b.9448]

so, after a decades long initial phase they are eventually profitable. moral of the story. you shouldn't give up on a criminal investment too fast. it might pay off in the long run.

[@sick1mind1]

It really is an inspiring comeback story against all odds

[@ViceCoin]

"Are you in pain?," I get asked at every hospital visit.

[@mairepcod4063]

Thanks,

[@anthonymcneill1465]

They are adaptable to market demand.

[@Grenadier311]

Yes, and they manifacture demand, also. Works both ways.

[@ThinkerYT]

Man, this is a real problem!

[@wheeledskeptic8052]

AWESOME

[@petepal55]

The same factors feeding the drug problem also fuel the homeless problem. The more hopeless your situation the more attractive drugs that can numb your mind become.

[@genericamerican7574]

How did it help to take chronic pain patients of their meds?

[@elcappucino2764]

Basic chemistry and disregard for human life will get you up there.

[@TheOscDude]

6:25 this Bro look like the Punisher 😂

[@Tpanda85]

This has been going on for years. I remember seeing these fake fentanyl blues in 2015. An old friend just about died in my bathroom when he shot it and didn’t know

[@babybibendum9114]

It’s quite confused if there is more addicter in the U.S.，or media just like to report these drug events in the U.S.

[@Randall2023]

Indigenous peoples indigenous culture native Americans 🇨🇴🇲🇽🇧🇷❤️👑

[@titanproductions3628]

🤡🇲🇽🤡

[@Davidp9767]

@@titanproductions3628 you're probably a sorry a** central American 😂😂😂

[@Bruce_Yes]

What are the precursors?

[@juandontworryaboutit4150]

1:35 just casually gives away formula 😅

[@Showmetheevidence-]

Let’s face some simple truths here… the difference between the “illegal” and “legal” pharmaceutical production is small. I don’t condone the illegal production at all, but this apparently started with OxyContin?? Where did that come from?