Ben, I do equate the illegal immigration with the drug trade. The enormous illegal immigration problem has not only given cover for the drug runners, it is in fact facilitated in many instances by coyotes who themselves are associated with the drug trafficers. There was money to be made. The drug cartels weren't going to take a pass on facilitation for a price.
Our border is essentially wide open between checkpoints. We're paying the price. It's only going to get worse until our officials get with the program.
Organized crime's participation in illegal alien smuggling is relatively new, since 9-11 and the subsequent tightening of the border which drove up the price.
If the drugs don't come from Mexico, they will come from elsewhere.