MEXICO: Drug Thugs Branch-Out.

NYTIMES/ECONOMIX BLOG/ Marc Lacey/

"...drug cartels respond to market conditions just like other businesses, and — in economic speak –interruptions in their supply chain and the rising cost of sales have pushed them to diversify their business, in order to improve their cash flow and solidify their hold over crucial delivery routes. "We’re fighting the cartels and it’s harder for them to move their drugs,’’ explained Enrique Torres, a spokesman for the joint military-police anti-drug operation in Ciudad Juarez. “So they’re moving to other activities."