Ep 2. Cartel Games
- June 22, 2016
After successfully running for seven seasons, Drugs, Inc. returns with season 8 that promises to highlight the continued battle of law enforcement agencies against organized crime syndicates dealing in illicit drugs. The show keeps its viewers engaged with enthralling tales of drug trafficking, production, and smuggling with an aim to educate them about the drug culture that thrives around the world.
In episode two of season eight, titled "Cartel Games," viewers are taken to Tijuana, a city sitting on the Mexico-United States border and buzzing with intense drug activity. The episode opens by highlighting the never-ending battle between law enforcement and drug cartels with each trying to gain a decisive edge.
From the very beginning, viewers are introduced to a variety of protagonists in the drug trade. The episode focuses on diverse characters from an agent of the US DEA to an angel-faced paramilitary soldier, each of whom plays a crucial role in the cartel's operations.
The show further highlights the role of technology in the drug trade. The ever-changing dynamics and advancements in technology have introduced new methods for drug cartels to hide their bottom-line operations and avoid detection by law enforcement. The episode dives deep into the use of social media and encrypted communication to organize drug transactions effectively.
The episode sheds light on the booming and historic drug market of Tijuana. By following the journey of these individuals and the elaborate supply chain of drugs, the episode illustrates the trafficking, smuggling, and production of drugs in the streets of Tijuana.
The episode provides insights into the ever-changing tactics and moves made by the drug cartels. The episode explores their ideas of anonymity, real-time analytics, artificial intelligence, and strategic warfare, which they deploy to stay ahead of authorities.
A significant portion of the narrative focuses on the existence and role of the Sinaloa cartel, once controlled by the infamous kingpin, El Chapo. The episode unveils the modus operandi of this cartel, their ties to corrupt law enforcement agencies and politicians, and the idealogy that motivates them to continue their operations.
The contrast between the cartel's lavish lifestyle and the poverty and misery of the communities caught in the crossfire is highlighted throughout the episode. Driven by the greed and thirst for power, the cartels turn a blind eye to the consequences of their actions, transforming the cities across the Mexican border into crime-ridden zones where every soul is a potential target.
Despite numerous efforts by law enforcement agencies to curtail their operations, the cartels continue to thrive. This episode showcases the challenges faced by the authorities as well as the desperate plight of those affected by the drug trade.
In conclusion, the episode 'Cartel Games' offers an immersive and insightful look at the operations, infiltration, and emergence of drug cartels in Tijuana. It outlines the level of corruption, violence, and power dynamics in the cartel game that render the lives of the people caught in the crossfire worthless. The episode delivers a warning on the complexities of the war on drugs, both in grappling with the aspects of the drug trade and its human impact.
