Cartels are increasingly exploiting law enforcement gaps in rural America, targeting small towns with fewer resources. Mariana van Zeller, host of National Geographic's "Trafficked," explains that while authorities may know criminal locations, prosecuting requires catching suspects in the act.
Mexico hosts an estimated 200 cartels, underscoring the drug trade's complexity. The Sinaloa cartel's early adoption of fentanyl production proved a pivotal strategy, significantly boosting its dominance.
Van Zeller notes that interview subjects often reveal motivations driven by ego and the need to maintain a public facade. Counterfeiters, for instance, frequently lead double lives, concealing their illegal activities from families.
She emphasizes that people speak to journalists not only for ego but also out of a fundamental human desire to be understood. A non-judgmental approach in journalism, she argues, is crucial for gaining deeper insights into the motivations behind complex criminal behavior.
The US invests in military bases abroad to prevent terrorist attacks, a strategy aimed at preempting threats. Meanwhile, cartels demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit by adapting to market demands, exacerbating the opioid epidemic, a pressing public health crisis.