China’s Vape Offensive and the Mexican Cartel Pipeline: A Growing Threat to US Security In Mexico, the cartels have found their perfect staging ground to capitalize on a low-risk, high-profit cash crop. Lax enforcement against illicit tobacco has created vast gray zones where cartels operate openly, stockpiling illicit goods, laundering profits, and planning cross-border smuggling with little fear of government intrusion. For the past two decades, I have investigated and analyzed cartel operations in Mexico, and the national security implications of their complex trafficking networks on both sides of the border. I can say unequivocally: The trafficking of illegal Chinese vapes and counterfeit cigarettes from Mexico into the United States is no longer a side hustle for cartels like Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartel. It is a strategic operation. Illicit Chinese vapes are now flowing across the U.S. border through the same hardened routes used for fentanyl and weapons, generating billions in revenue that fuel cartel violence and fund China’s rising ambitions. In the past, Mexican cartels relied primarily on drugs to finance their empires, with cigarette smuggling as an ancillary enterprise. Today, they have expanded aggressively into lower-risk, high-reward commodities: illicit tobacco and disposable vapes. Tobacco smuggling now generates critical cash flow for criminal groups, while vapes—largely manufactured in China under state-controlled companies—represent a new and booming pipeline. more info on site... China’s Vape Offensive and the Mexican Cartel Pipeline: A Growing Threat to US Security
Round these parts we just take a van down to Indiana load 'er up with cases of smoke and sell them back home and make a buck a pack. Well up until July 1st. Then we will have to drive down to Kentucky but still make 50 cents a pack. Detroiters selling singles can make a shat ton. Wholesale smugglers can make about 10k per trip to Kentucky .. but 20k to indiana for the next 3 days. Betcha the tax man watching the freeways from indiana this weekend.
Yeah, that's the bottom line isn't it. If the governments didn't tax the hell out of cigarettes, then no one would buy black market cigarettes would they... I don't smoke or vape but if I did, I would definitely consider black market cigs.
Ah, I avoid the rez. Edit: I read the tribes laws on carrying concealed and transporting ammunition and firearms a while back. While likely not going to have a problem, If i got pulled over there things could go badly if both the officer and I were cranky that day. Kind like going through Illinois, you have firearms, standard mags and a weeks worth of range ammo .. don't fucking stop.
