It's a Numbers Game: The Numbers Behind Cartel Power: Assassinations, Fentanyl Profits, and America’s Border Crisis
It's a Numbers Game: The Numbers Behind Cartel Power: Assassinations, Fentanyl Profits, and America’s Border Crisis  
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Published On: Mon Mar 02 2026
Description: How powerful are the cartels really—and what do the numbers reveal about their reach, money, and influence? On this episode of A Numbers Game, Ryan Girdusky is joined by Border Hawk White House correspondent Wid Lyman for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving cartel landscape following the assassination of a top leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).  They break down the real numbers behind cartel operations, including: The scale of cartel presence across 40+ countries How fentanyl transformed cartel profits into a multi-billion-dollar empire The shocking rise in violence across 15 Mexican states after the hit The hidden role of “legitimate” U.S. businesses in cartel money laundering Why cartel leaders with U.S. ties could reshape operations going forward How border crackdowns are impacting cartel revenue—and what comes next Plus, they explore whether Latin America’s political shift toward tougher crime policies could finally limit cartel power—or simply force cartels to adapt. This episode uncovers the data, strategy, and reality behind one of the most dangerous criminal networks in the world—and why it matters for America’s border, economy, and national security. EMAIL RYANFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.