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Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

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Ask HN: How could I safely contact drug cartels?

#1

Post by csears »

Ok, this is going to sound a little weird, but bear with me.

I have an idea that has the potential to reduce fentanyl deaths, reduce drug-related violence, and improve operating margins for drug cartels. I assume the cartel leaders are essentially profit motivated, and would be interested in something that would prevent their customers from dying, cut down on the violence that brings law enforcement attention, and improve their profit margins. I realize it sounds a little crazy, but, hypothetically, how would I safely go about setting up meetings with cartels? I'm not even sure where to start or what kind of lawyer to check with for advice.

Email in my bio if you'd rather reach out directly.

Thanks!

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

#4

Post by LinuxBender »

I assume the cartel leaders are essentially profit motivated

Not an expert on this but my understanding is that since El Chapo Joaquín Guzmán was taken down his cartel splintered and they are no longer operating like a business not that it would have helped your goal here. This would probably be an extra-risky riskier and insane time to try to meet with them. If you are dead set on doing this I would guess that the least risky way to get a message to them would be to talk to a Sheriff in a border town that deals with their drug and people smugglers and knows what people can relay a message to them. They will advise against this as well. I would not try to meet them in person.

Here is one of them [1] give this reporter or Sheriff a call. He's in Yuma County, AZ. Have thick skin, they are going to give you a hard time. Maybe hire an actor from South America the cartel might respect and pay the actor to make a short to-the-point video the cartel may enjoy watching.

[1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdYAYgbf5Uc

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

#6

Post by tlb »

Cartels of any kind (drug, music, oil) are never where new ideas start. If a new drug were going to be adopted, it'd start with a local manufacturer/seller, and spread by word of mouth. If it gets big, eventually cartels will move in and monopolize it.

Monopolies get pitches for new products all the time, but their answer is:

- If it's any good, why isn't it already growing?

- We'll wait and see if it grows. If it does, we'll just muscle our way in.

- Have fun, kid. We'll let you know when it's time to join us.

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

#8

Post by csears »

LinuxBender wrote: post #4

I assume the cartel leaders are essentially profit motivated Not an expert on this but my understanding is that since El Chapo Joaquín Guzmán was taken down his cartel splintered and they are no longer operating like a business not that it would have helped your goal here . This would probably be an extra-risky riskier and insane time to try to meet with them. If you are dead set on doing this I would guess that the…

You make several good points. One option I had considered was somehow working my way up the chain, but hadn't thought about local law enforcement. Thanks!

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

#10

Post by csears »

tlb wrote: post #6

Cartels of any kind (drug, music, oil) are never where new ideas start. If a new drug were going to be adopted, it'd start with a local manufacturer/seller, and spread by word of mouth. If it gets big, eventually cartels will move in and monopolize it. Monopolies get pitches for new products all the time, but their answer is: - If it's any good, why isn't it already growing? - We'll wait and see if it grows. If it do…

Very true. I imagine they have their own version of the Innovator's Dilemma. I will say that my idea is not a new drug.
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