Part 6/15:
A key turning point was the shift in trafficking routes circa 1987. When Caribbean transshipment points were shut down by authorities, cartels pivoted to Mexico as the primary conduit for drug shipments into the United States. This transition marked a seismic change, empowering Mexican cartels and increasing their influence—an influence that persists today. English emphasizes that the long-standing history of smuggling in Mexico, rooted in marijuana and other contraband, provided a foundation for the more sophisticated cocaine operations.