The CIA has a long history of drug trafficking. Case after case show that the CIA it not so much interested in stopping the illegal drug trade, but actually finding a way to use this drug trade to their advantage, both financially and otherwise. In exchange for information on rival drug cartels the CIA has been known to grant immunity to import large quantities of drugs across borders into the United States.

Drug lords and country officials have made claims mentioning that the CIA is greatly involved with and fully controls some of the major drug cartels. In short, US tax dollars are transferred to the CIA to fund and arm cartels with the means necessary to transfer drugs into the US illegally.

Many people also point to the United States laws against drugs as a driving reason as to why the CIA is able to operate an illegal drug cartel. By keeping out free market competition and making drugs illegal in the United States it is a lot easier for the CIA to covertly traffic drugs and keep prices high without the threat of any real competition.