To me it just doesnt feel cartel, too clean, they also like to let it be known it was them that did it, im not saying they would put out a front a page add to declare that but it would certainly be known among other local growers who work for them, how else do you set an example?.
Also theres other ways outside of cartels to get the cash to start grows, local mob?, it may be a wealthy local that financed it, someone everyone knows they can go to, someone who on the outside looks clean but has their fingers in all the pies. maybe he thought he wasnt getting a fair cut, could be that the family were getting a bit to cocky and thinking nothing would happen to them?.