Reading this article (Gabreila Recio, "Drugs and Alcohol: US Prohibition and the Origins of the Drug Trade in Mexico, 1910–1930 "-here, but behind a wall unless you have journal access) I was interested (though not surprised) to learn that a major boon to the Mexican brewers was U.S. Prohibition, including the opening of the Modelo Brewery in Mexico City (which had been having trouble getting its financing straight until the U.S. foolishly outlawed booze).

Some other interesting historical facts include the number of Chinese involved in the early twentieth century drug trade from Mexico (they represented 38% of those cuaght smuggling, though maybe they just were good at getting away) and that the Mexican states most involved in the drug trade today got their start around 1916.

The article concludes:
"Finally, and more importantly, what emerges as striking is the
longevity of Mexican drug distribution channels. The Mexican states that
now play an important role in drug trafficking began their activities in this
trade around 1916. The northwestern states of Mexico have approximately
ninety years ' experience of developing and improving channels to
distribute drugs into the United States."