The Violent Gang Wars Behind Your Super Bowl Guacamole

The Violent Gang Wars Behind Your Super Bowl Guacamole
LA ESTACION, MEXICO--January 15, 2013: Militiamen interrogate a man they suspected of working for the Knights Templar drug cartel.
LA ESTACION, MEXICO--January 15, 2013: Militiamen interrogate a man they suspected of working for the Knights Templar drug cartel.

Americans eat more guacamole for the big game than on any other day of the year, and more of the avocados for the dip are grown in the green hills here than any other place in the world.

But for the past few years, a good chunk of the profits has gone to a violent criminal gang that made millions of dollars extorting avocado farmers and packinghouse operators while strong-arming groves from landowners, said residents and local officials who recently began fighting back.

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