Puerto Rican Drug Dealing 101

A long federal court appellate decision explains at great length and with considerable detail the workings of the illegal drug trade in Puerto Rico in the 1990s and early 21st century, in the course of ruling on several appeals of half a dozen cases that went to trial in a bust that also secured thirty-seven plea bargained convictions.

The portrayal is more Godfather than Weeds. The case also illustrates why law enforcement doesn't bother trying a demand side strategy most of the time. One particular street corner mentioned in the case had a twenty-four hour trade with 525 or more drug deals in the best eight hour shift every day, with individual deals generally involving less than $30. Crack cocaine was distributed in units worth $3.50 each.