The violence is the scariest part. For example, cartels often engage in brutal murders like dismemberment or mass killings. It's horrifying to think about the innocent bystanders who get caught in the crossfire.
The extreme violence is the most terrifying. They use murder, torture, and threats so casually. It's like life means nothing to them.
In certain regions, drug cartels force young people to work for them. There was a case where a teen was kidnapped by a cartel. They drugged him and made him transport drugs across the border. If he refused or tried to escape, they threatened to kill his family. He was constantly in a state of terror, seeing the violence and illegal activities within the cartel up close, and his life was completely ruined by their control.
No. While violence is a significant part of many drug cartel stories, they are also about the business aspects. Such as how they source drugs, the supply chains they build, and their marketing strategies in the illegal drug market.
One scary drug cartel story is about the Zetas cartel in Mexico. They were extremely violent. They would often torture and kill their enemies in the most brutal ways. Innocent people in the areas they controlled lived in constant fear. Their reign of terror included beheadings and public executions just to send a message to rivals and the authorities.
Another great drug cartel novel is 'Traffic: A Novel' by Don Winslow as well. It provides a multi - faceted view of the drug cartel operations, from the perspectives of different characters involved, like the dealers, the law enforcers, and the innocents caught in the crossfire. It's really good at portraying the complex web of the drug - related underworld.
Another excellent choice is 'Narconomics: How to Run a Drug Cartel' by Tom Wainwright. This book combines economic analysis with a fictional - like exploration of how drug cartels operate, from production to distribution. It's really interesting as it gives a different perspective on the whole cartel business.
We can learn about the dangerous and illegal operations of drug cartels. For example, we might understand how they smuggle drugs across borders, often using complex routes and disguises. It also shows the harm they cause to communities, like the spread of drug addiction and related crimes.
Complex characters are another characteristic. The characters in these books are not simply good or bad. They may be involved in illegal activities but also have their own motives and moral codes. In 'Savages', the main characters are drug dealers, but they also have a sense of loyalty to each other and a certain way of life they are trying to protect.
Power is a common theme. In these books, drug cartels are often shown vying for power, whether it's over territory, the drug trade routes, or influence. Violence is another big one. They depict the brutal and often senseless violence that cartels use to maintain control. Corruption also features prominently as cartels often corrupt law enforcement, politicians, and other institutions.
Violence is a common element. Like in many stories, cartels use force to get what they want, whether it's to intimidate witnesses or to take over territory. Another is corruption. Often, they bribe local authorities to turn a blind eye to their activities. And secrecy too. They operate in the shadows, making their actions seem more menacing.