The Economic Impact of Fentanyl Trade on Mexican Communities

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Exploring the financial benefits of fentanyl for Mexican cartels and the challenges faced by rural communities as they transition from marijuana and poppy crops. Insights from a visit to a notorious figure's hometown reveal the devastating local economy and lack of viable economic alternatives.

SoftBank is leading an investment of more than $1bn into a UK self-driving car start-up, and poppy and marijuana farming money is disappearing from rural areas as traffickers shift to synthetic drugs. Plus, the FT’s Anna Nicolaou explains the rival bids to buy Paramount.

Mentioned in this podcast:

SoftBank leads $1bn funding for UK artificial intelligence group Wayve

El Chapo’s opium heartland bereft as Mexico cartels embrace fentanyl

Shari Redstone, a media scion weighing the future of her ravaged empire

James Cameron and Ari Emanuel back Skydance bid for Paramount

Brussels seeks to ban Russian funding of European politicians

The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Denise Guerra, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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