CrashOut by Ioan Grillo

CrashOut by Ioan Grillo investigates the complex interplay of drug cartels, state responses, and societal impacts across Latin America and the U.S., exploring themes of violence, corruption, and resilience. It delves into specific case studies, offering insights into crime dynamics, government actions, and the human stories within these contexts.

Drug Cartels and Organized Crime State Responses to Crime Human Rights and Social Impact Cybercrime and Dark Web Activities Journalism and Media in Crime Reporting Cultural and Historical Aspects of Crime Government Corruption and Political Ties Migration and Human Smuggling Economic and Social Drivers of Crime Legal and Policy Challenges

The hottest Substack posts of CrashOut by Ioan Grillo

And their main takeaways

EXCLUSIVE: Record Fentanyl Haul in Miami Shows Shift in Trafficking Routes

491 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
  1. A record-breaking 2000 pounds of fentanyl was seized in Miami, indicating a shift in trafficking routes.
  2. Majority of fentanyl is trafficked by Mexican cartels through various smuggling routes.
  3. Efforts to clamp down on trafficking at the Mexican-U.S. border may be leading cartels to diversify smuggling routes, such as through the Caribbean into Florida.

Mexico’s Ayahuasca Prisoners

550 implied HN points • 16 Jan 23
  1. Indigenous healers in Mexico are being prosecuted for trafficking ayahuasca, despite its cultural significance and legal status in certain regions.
  2. The arrests of ayahuasca practitioners seem to be an attempt to boost arrest numbers, overshadowing the real issue of dangerous synthetic drug trafficking.
  3. Debates around ayahuasca's legality and its potential as a healing medicine are sparking conversations globally about the intersection of traditional medicines, drug laws, and pharmaceutical interests.

The Mystery of Mexico's Modern Pirates

452 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🌍 World Politics Crime Mexico Piracy Cartels
  1. Pirates targeted oil rigs and fishermen in Mexico's Gulf, revealing a lapse in law enforcement.
  2. The sudden halt in piracy in January sparked various speculations, including gang conflict or cartel involvement.
  3. The rise of piracy amidst oil industry decline in Mexico reflects broader challenges in law enforcement and security.

Tijuana Gets a Dose of its Own Fentanyl

550 implied HN points • 03 Nov 22
  1. Fentanyl trafficking in Tijuana is increasing, and its availability is on the rise.
  2. Mexican cartels are shifting their drug trafficking focus from plant-based drugs to synthetic ones like fentanyl.
  3. The spike in fentanyl usage in Tijuana is contributing to a rise in overdoses and violence, affecting both Mexico and the United States.

The Empire of Los Chapitos

452 implied HN points • 19 Sep 22
  1. Culiacán, Mexico is under the control of the sons of El Chapo, known as Los Chapitos.
  2. There are visible signs of narco influence in Culiacán, such as drug dispensaries and open drug sales.
  3. Despite a decrease in murders, there are tensions between factions within the Sinaloa cartel, like the Chapitos and El Mayo Zambada.
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What is the AMLO Security Doctrine?

373 implied HN points • 28 Sep 22
  1. AMLO's security policy is characterized by the phrases 'Hugs Not Bullets' and 'National Guard.'
  2. Critics question the effectiveness of AMLO's approach, seeing a militarization despite 'Hugs Not Bullets' slogan.
  3. AMLO's reliance on the military in his security strategy could lead to the creation of a military-industrial complex with potential far-reaching consequences.

Migrant Smugglers Enjoy Booming Business Amid Record Numbers

334 implied HN points • 05 Oct 22
  1. Migrant smugglers are seeing increased demand and charging high fees for smuggling people into the United States.
  2. The business of migrant smuggling has evolved from independent operators to sophisticated networks controlled by organized crime groups.
  3. The surge in asylum claims, fueled by various factors, is contributing to the rise in migrants seeking refuge and paying hefty fees to smugglers.

What the Fxxx is Biden’s Asylum Policy?

255 implied HN points • 20 Oct 22
  1. Biden's asylum policy involves working with Mexico to deter asylum seekers from entering the US.
  2. There is a rise in asylum seekers from Latin America due to authoritarian governments, organized crime, and awareness of asylum rights.
  3. The Biden administration is facing challenges in handling the increasing backlog of asylum cases and is implementing measures to address the situation.

Who Is Really Killing Mexican Journalists?

471 implied HN points • 14 Mar 22
  1. The lethal combination of paramilitary organized crime, corrupt police, and politicians is a key factor in the slaughter of Mexican journalists.
  2. Mexico has a serious issue with journalist murders, with a noticeable surge in violence following the country's drug war in the 2000s.
  3. Journalists in Mexico face immense pressure from cartels and authorities, leading to targeted hits and a high rate of unsolved cases.

Narco Landmines Explode Into Mexico’s Hybrid Conflict

314 implied HN points • 22 Feb 22
  1. There have been explosions of homemade landmines in Mexico's Michoacán state
  2. The conflict involves cartels using advanced weaponry and tactics, including landmines
  3. The situation in Michoacán highlights the complexities and challenges of cartel warfare in Mexico