Description
Book SynopsisMexican drug networks are large and violent, engaging in activities like the trafficking of narcotics, money laundering, extortion, kidnapping, and mass murder. Despite the impact of these activities in Mexico and abroad, these illicit networks are remarkably resilient to state intervention. Drawing on extensive fieldwork and interviews with US and Mexican law enforcement, government officials, organized crime victims, and criminals, Nathan P. Jones examines the comparative resilience of two basic types of drug networks -- "territorial" and "transactional" -- that are differentiated by their business strategies and provoke wildly different responses from the state. Transactional networks focus on trafficking and are more likely to collude with the state through corruption, while territorial networks that seek to control territory for the purpose of taxation, extortion, and their own security often trigger a strong backlash from the state. Timely and authoritative, Mexico's Illicit Drug Networks and the State Reaction provides crucial insight into why Mexico targets some drug networks over others, reassesses the impact of the war on drugs, and proposes new solutions for weak states in their battles with drug networks.
Trade ReviewThe author is certainly well positioned to discuss this subject matter and has proven his expertise through his research and analysis. This is an excellent book that addresses how drug networks are targeted through the prism of the state. * Small Wars Journal *
Nathan P. Jones....provides an in-depth qualitative look at the relationship between the business strategies of Mexican drug networks (territorial and transactional), the level of risk associated with each model, state reactions to these models, and the level of resilience these organizations have....Jones provides a well-rounded and relevant analysis....its focus remains topical and relevant. -- Layne Dittmann, Department of Security Studies and Criminal Justice, Angelo State University * Small Wars & Insurgencies *
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. The State Reaction and Illicit-Network Resilience 2. The Arellano Felix Organization's Resilience 3. The State Reaction 4. The Sinaloa Cartel, Los Zetas, and Los Caballeros Templarios Conclusion Appendix: Comparison of Territorial versus Transactional Drug-Trafficking Networks Bibliography Index
