They also don't have a choice of whether or not they can operate legally so they might as well go all in on crime.
While cartels do lots of horrible things, if you had to operate with the constant threat of having all your assets seized and receiving a life in prison, would you operate as peacefully as possible or would you act to instill fear in those that wronged you and/or threaten your way of life.
If the products that the cartels distribute were legal, most cartels likely would either be those western corporate entities or wouldn't exist.
While cartels do lots of horrible things, if you had to operate with the constant threat of having all your assets seized and receiving a life in prison, would you operate as peacefully as possible or would you act to instill fear in those that wronged you and/or threaten your way of life.
If the products that the cartels distribute were legal, most cartels likely would either be those western corporate entities or wouldn't exist.