Mexico's Illicit Drug Networks and the State Reaction

This study examines illicit drug networks in Mexico and explains why the state targets certain types of networks more forcefully than others. Jones classifies drug networks into two basic types, "territorial" and "transactional" networks. Transactional networks focus on trafficking and are more likely to collude with the state through corruption. Territorial networks, which seek to control territory for the purpose of taxation, extortion, and their own security, trigger a strong backlash from the state. They encroach upon the state's most fundamental functions--the ability to tax and provid...