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Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

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Re: Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

#161

Post by raincom »

TheAlchemist wrote: post #80

There was an article about disappearing engineers - the ones working on communications. Cartels figured they need somebody to setup sophisticated communication systems - do you think they asked a company for help ? They just kidnapped the people they found working on communications towers, made them do the job, then buried them. Sorry but your idea of trying to work with a cartel is beyond stupid. With a lot of luck,…

Communication workers, IT specialists end up missing in Mexico; here is the story: https://www.vice.com/en/article/9akgj8/radio-silence

Re: Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

#162

Post by DonHopkins »

csears wrote: post #107
kordlessagain wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The only important reason this particular ego fueled "idea" is a bad one is because if someone is actively involved in planning or conspiring to commit a crime, they may be held liable for their actions. Intent and preparation to engage in illegal activities can have legal consequences, even if the actual crime is not carried out. This post should be flagged and taken down.

I appreciate the feedback. I don't have a way to prove it, but I'm really not concerned with ego/fame in any of this. I've also stated several places that I plan to get legal advice from a real lawyer before moving forward with anything. As far as I know, I haven't discussed doing anything illegal. I've clearly said that if there is not a legal path forward, I'll drop the idea. Also, the post did get flagged last nig…

Yes you do have a simple perfect effortless way to prove it. Post your brilliant idea publically to prove this isn't just a big ego thing, otherwise it most certainly is.

Re: Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

#163

Post by costco »

If you want to meet policy people just go to think tank events about anything related to this issue. Researchers at places like the United States Institute of Peace or journalists may actually know low-mid ranking members, but they are probably not going to introduce you to them directly. With all due respect, this plan seems incredibly ill-conceived and even if it was successful you would likely have legal problems.

Re: Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

#164

Post by DonHopkins »

csears wrote: post #63
valar_m wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not saying that federal agents are more dangerous than drug cartels. I'm saying that you're going to end up being arrested before you get the chance to find out.

I see your point. That is certainly a possibility. Although it would be highly inconvenient to be arrested or get in trouble with the feds, it would make for an interesting story at parties. That's always been something I've struggled with. So... silver lining? A lot of historical figures I respect have been arrested for standing by their convictions. So I would be in good company. It also could turn into a good oppo…

>A lot of historical figures I respect have been arrested for standing by their convictions. So I would be in good company.

You do realize that you're not going to actually get the chance to share a jail cell with any of those historical figures, don't you?

Re: Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

#165

Post by csears »

costco wrote: post #163

If you want to meet policy people just go to think tank events about anything related to this issue. Researchers at places like the United States Institute of Peace or journalists may actually know low-mid ranking members, but they are probably not going to introduce you to them directly. With all due respect, this plan seems incredibly ill-conceived and even if it was successful you would likely have legal problems.

Think tank events are a very good idea. Something similar had occurred to me.

Many successful startup ideas do sound very ill-conceived initially and often have legal problems, despite their success. Having strangers drive you places? Renting a room in a random person's house? Having a book retailer host all your IT infrastructure? So, although I do appreciate your point, I don't think those factors alone are reason enough to give up on the concept.

Re: Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

#166

Post by raincom »

NotDEA wrote: post #25

Hey Chris, I’m a pretty high ranking member in the Sinaloa Cartel that also browses HN in my free time. Customers always come first in our line of work, so I’m always looking for ways to provide a high quality, safe experience with the drugs we provide and this idea sounds like it could be a game changer not just for us cartels, but also for savvy entrepreneurs like yourself. I reached out directly to the email you p…

Pedro Sanchez from my hood, who went to meet some capos, has been missing in Culiacán. Can you locate him, please?

Re: Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

#167

Post by csears »

NotDEA wrote: post #153
rTX5CMRXIfFG wrote: post #47

My main takeaway here is that if OP can make it to Amazon to work on AWS, hell I can make it to a FAANG too.

He worked there as a solutions architect which is a glorified term for slightly technical sales person so I would imagine the interview process being a little easier

Can confirm. Although I might say "moderately technical" rather than "slightly technical". Some of my interview questions got pretty deep into networking protocols and Linux OS internals. Regardless, it's a very different role than a software engineering position, which I wouldn't claim to be a good fit for.

Re: Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

#168

Post by CobaltFire »

Sometimes “move fast and break things” is a little more illegal than others.

This time it’s far, FAR more illegal than you seem to think.

I imagine this will have some interesting ramifications on your future employment opportunities, since you managed to nicely link it to your real identity.

Re: Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

#169

Post by DonHopkins »

csears wrote: post #20
discretion22 wrote: post #17

I thought this was some sort of parody or joke - it sounds like some sort of Nigerian Prince scam pitch - but from your responses you are either genius at playing the whole thing straight or you are seriously out your depth and literally risking your life for no good reason. First off, saying that you have an idea to "improve their [Cartels] profit margins" by itself is enough to fall foul of the US DEA. Even if you…

Nope, not a joke. Currently more of a thought experiment that could turn into a startup if it really seems viable. I'm in the US and I would actually be very interested in chatting with the DEA about my idea. If it turns out there is no legal way to move ahead with my idea, I won't pursue it further. As I said, I'm not even sure what kind of lawyer I could contact to get advice about this kind of thing. Saul Goodman?…

I'm going to take a shot in the dark here, but I bet you're a huge Ayn Rand fan, aren't you?

Re: Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

#170

Post by Michelangelo11 »

raincom wrote: post #161
TheAlchemist wrote: post #80

There was an article about disappearing engineers - the ones working on communications. Cartels figured they need somebody to setup sophisticated communication systems - do you think they asked a company for help ? They just kidnapped the people they found working on communications towers, made them do the job, then buried them. Sorry but your idea of trying to work with a cartel is beyond stupid. With a lot of luck,…

Communication workers, IT specialists end up missing in Mexico; here is the story: https://www.vice.com/en/article/9akgj8/radio-silence

Oh, man. A great read, harrowing.

Thanks for the link.

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