Mexico Economy Rides on Drugs

From Spas to Banks, Mexico Economy Rides on Drugs

This article from The New York Times describes the economy of mexico and how it benefits from the drug trade. Several Mexican pharmaceutical companies have been accused of laundering money to drug cartels, such as the titular one that was accused of supplying chemicals to make meth amphetamines. Mexico made more money in 2009 from drug exports than from oil exports, which is its single largest export. All over the country, luxury boutiques, high end real estate and even hospitals are being bought with drug money.

This article pertains to concepts we've been studying in many ways. An economy that is fueled by an illegal industry is a sign of corruption. If police officers were to turn a blind eye to drug trades in Mexico because of money from cartels, then the government would be less legitimate.