Part 2/10:
The interviewee, a seasoned law enforcement officer with experience in border and regional crime investigations, emphasizes a fundamental truth about illegal drug trafficking: demand drives supply. Recalling an initial conversation with a cartel member in El Paso, the officer was surprised to learn that the cartels' operations are inherently linked to consumer demand. "If there was no demand for it, then they wouldn't be sending it," the cartel member reportedly said. This insight underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of demand, rather than only focusing on interdiction efforts.