You know how some people like horror films?
I don't so I rarely watch them (suspense, yes; horror, no).
Just watched an episode of Drugs, Inc. on TV.
As I watched, I noticed my stomach was churning and I became nervous, almost scared.
The episodes I dvr'd were out of Dallas, Chicago and Cartel Chaos.
It is baffling who the people are who are filming these shows.
The dealers and gang leaders they're interviewing all wear masks or scarves over their faces, dark glasses and hats.
Some of their voices (probably all) are altered. Some noticeably.
All of them show their weapons and make clear they are not afraid to use them (I believe them).
In every show, the leader makes it clear that the people working for them know they know where their mothers, wives and children live.
By watching a couple of shows, I learned Texas is the starting point as most of the drugs come in from Mexico.
There's a distribution system that involves big risk every time a big load in transported.
People from three or more states away drive to Texas to get the best stuff.
Sometimes coke will be cut three times before it is sold in the destination city.
Iirc from the show I just watched, a first point distributor said a kilo of coke (called a "brick") costs him $28,000 before he cuts it down.
He said, after he cuts it once (still very good quality), he can make $40,000 to $50,000.
(I'm pretty sure he was discussing the distribution of one kilo, 2.2 pounds).
Beyond the distribution system point, when being sold to people on the street or
individual customers, cocaine is sold in grams (I think).
One guy explained about making coke into crack so it becomes burnable.
The aspect of the show that is so scary is they made clear, within the culture, if anyone crosses anybody in any way, they WILL take action against them or their family members.
One guy kept repeating "we know where your mother lives". He inserted a few more relationships into the sentence too. He often reminds his 'workers' of this fact.
In Texas a bit dealer could be closer to the "boss" since the ladder is shorter imo.
Most of these men look strong and fit (not like druggies themselves).
Even though you can't see their faces, they look to be above average physique wise.
The guns are always out and ready.