Cartels aren't pure drug organizations. They use the same routes, same contacts, same methods for everything that can be sold.
What cartels trade
- Drugs
Cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, meth
- Weapons
Illegal arms trafficking in both directions
- People
Migrants, women, children
Forced prostitution
Women and girls are kidnapped. Or lured with false promises - jobs, papers, a better life. Then they're forced into prostitution.
This happens in Mexico, Central America, and from there they're brought to the US and Europe. Control through violence and threats against their families.
Migrants as income source
People flee poverty and violence. Cartels see them as walking ATMs.
- Kidnapping - Migrants are kidnapped on their journey
- Extortion - Families back home must pay
- Forced labor - Those who can't pay work
- Murder - Those no longer useful disappear
The organizations you finance with your coke also trade in people.
It's all connected
These aren't separate business divisions. Same bosses, same logistics, same routes. When you finance cartels, you finance everything they do.
Your money doesn't discriminate
There's no accounting that says: Money from Berlin only goes to drugs. Your money flows into the organization. It finances everything.