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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?

#171

Post by costco »

csears wrote: post #165
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…

"Startup"? Maybe I'm misunderstanding what your plan is but you should know that you are legally not allowed to take money from these people. Every major cartel and their leaders are designated under the Kingpin Act or as Transnational Criminal Organizations which means you cannot "[make] any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of" them. Even if they weren't designated, you cannot take money that you knew to be from a crime. Either of these are punishable by a long time in prison. The only way this would work is if it was done under close supervision with law enforcement, but it's pretty evident that American police do not have much interest in harm reduction style solutions.

I don't know if this is some elaborate troll but if your idea is so great you should just publish it. I'm sure you would get credit if it was successful.

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

#173

Post by csears »

throwaway_1288 wrote: post #157

I'm not really sure what your goal here is Chris, you are either trying to do some gorilla marketing campaign for [redacted], or based on your LinkedIn history of only staying at a company in a role for about one year exactly, you are getting the itch to move to something different now once again, so why not have a go at transforming a burgeoning industry like the drug trade? There is also a third option of this just…

I really don't have any way to prove this, but it's not a stunt and not connected to my employer in any way. I don't have anything to promote. I'm speaking in a purely personal capacity. I've attempted to remove references to my employer, so I'd appreciate it if you or a moderator could remove the reference from your comment.

I do enjoy intellectual discussions with smart people on thought provoking topics and that's primarily what this is. I am genuinely curious if my idea could work and I was interested in feedback from the HN crowd. I've been mostly lurking here for about 10 years, and just recently decided to start writing more and trying to participate more actively in HN discussions. This idea struck me as something that could spark a fun discussion, and it has.

Getting something to the front page of Hacker News is a bucket list item for me. It didn't happen this time (I think it got to page 4), but I learned a lot and really enjoyed replying to everyone's comments.

But to be clear, this was not a stunt. It was meant to be a little provocative and attention grabbing, but I do genuinely believe my idea has some merit and might improve a very difficult situation... if it could be done legally and safely.

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

#174

Post by Tainnor »

throwaway_1288 wrote: post #157

I'm not really sure what your goal here is Chris, you are either trying to do some gorilla marketing campaign for [redacted], or based on your LinkedIn history of only staying at a company in a role for about one year exactly, you are getting the itch to move to something different now once again, so why not have a go at transforming a burgeoning industry like the drug trade? There is also a third option of this just…

> gorilla marketing campaign

guerrilla

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

#176

Post by csears »

zer8k wrote: post #172

This is absolutely peak HN. I thought I had seen everything. A person is asking HN how to contact a cartel in order to improve their business "for safety". I am strictly commenting here so I can return to it in the future for a good laugh.

I'm glad it's been entertaining. This is the first time I've posted anything to HN that's gotten any real engagement/interest and I've thoroughly enjoyed the discussion.

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

#177

Post by maxbond »

csears wrote: post #176
zer8k wrote: post #172

This is absolutely peak HN. I thought I had seen everything. A person is asking HN how to contact a cartel in order to improve their business "for safety". I am strictly commenting here so I can return to it in the future for a good laugh.

I'm glad it's been entertaining. This is the first time I've posted anything to HN that's gotten any real engagement/interest and I've thoroughly enjoyed the discussion.

Between the above comment, and this one:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36737819

I am now fully confident this is satire.

Well played. 20/10. You had me going for longer than I care to admit. Best HN troll I've seen.

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

#178

Post by csears »

maxbond wrote: post #177
csears wrote: post #176

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm glad it's been entertaining. This is the first time I've posted anything to HN that's gotten any real engagement/interest and I've thoroughly enjoyed the discussion.

Between the above comment, and this one: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36737819 I am now fully confident this is satire. Well played. 20/10. You had me going for longer than I care to admit. Best HN troll I've seen.

I intentionally tried to keep it light / humorous to have plausible deniability. "I'm sorry your honor. This was just an elaborate joke that got out of hand."

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

#179

Post by maxbond »

csears wrote: post #173
throwaway_1288 wrote: post #157

I'm not really sure what your goal here is Chris, you are either trying to do some gorilla marketing campaign for [redacted], or based on your LinkedIn history of only staying at a company in a role for about one year exactly, you are getting the itch to move to something different now once again, so why not have a go at transforming a burgeoning industry like the drug trade? There is also a third option of this just…

I really don't have any way to prove this, but it's not a stunt and not connected to my employer in any way. I don't have anything to promote. I'm speaking in a purely personal capacity. I've attempted to remove references to my employer, so I'd appreciate it if you or a moderator could remove the reference from your comment. I do enjoy intellectual discussions with smart people on thought provoking topics and that's…

> I've attempted to remove references to my employer, so I'd appreciate it if you or a moderator could remove the reference from your comment.

Email hn@ycombinator.com and dang will take care of it. Give him a link to the comment and be specific about what the problem is.

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

#180

Post by zero_shift »

csears wrote: post #15
raincom wrote: post #11

Have you read the court transcripts of El Chapo trial? Maybe, better read them, before you think you can safely contact drug cartels. Drug cartels are at least three moves away from your local drug dealer. Cartel folks deal with the wholesale distributors, who are some high level gang operatives. So, you can't even go past the first two levels, let alone the local high level gang operatives. These high level wholesal…

I have read a few things about cartel org structures, but most of my knowledge is based on The Wire and Breaking Bad, and obviously those probably aren't too close to reality. The El Chapo transcripts are a great suggestion. Much appreciated.

How people read this and didn't catch on is anybody's guess
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