Drug Trafficking in US and Mexico - Essay Example

Mexico may have made more money in 2009 drug trafficking than it did in exporting oil, its single biggest legitimate foreign currency earner. From the beauty parlors of Mexico Citys wealthy suburbs, the white Caribbean beaches to violent towns on the U.S. border, drug cash is everywhere in Mexico.

The money generated from drugs has propped up the country's banking system. The money helps the countries ride out the financial crisis and aid the country's economy. Narcotic drugs get smuggled into Mexico mostly from the US at an approximate cost of $100. This money gets to books and accounts of construction firms, bars, and restaurants. Once the money gets settled into such accounts, the police cannot trace it. In western Mexico, drug cartels own hospitals and real estate. In the US as well, drug cartels own big car wash companies.

The level of technology and education in the US and Mexico influences the drug trade. The drug cartels are highly organized. The traffickers employ the finest brains. They use the most modern equipment and technologies in producing, transporting, and distributing their drugs. This enables the big drug traffickers to run and finance their operations without contact with the drugs. This facilitates the drug trafficking business (European Parliament).