"What if narco violence and trafficking do not threaten the state, but are actually central to its operations?"-- Provided by publisher.

Introduction: the invention of a formidable enemy -- Narco culture depoliticized -- The cartels don't exist (but state violence does) -- Four writers subverting the narconarrative -- Drug trafficking, soldiers, and police on the border -- Epilogue: the new "cartel war" is not new, nor a war, nor between cartels.