Episode 86: China's Connection to the Mexican Cartels

China's role in the drug trafficking enterprises of the Mexican cartels is often discussed, but often without significant specificity or detail. In this Episode, I explore the services provided by Chinese criminal organizations to the cartels, prominently in the supply of precursor chemicals and in money laundering.   I also look at the role of the Chinese government and its potential to disrupt the Chinese organizations aiding the cartels, especially in areas relating to cryptocurrency and other virtual assets.    Finally, I speculate about the future of the cartel-China relationship by discussing, among other issues, potential conflicts in Europe and possible fractionization of the cartel system in Mexico.