Key Mountains for Poppy and Marijuana Cultivation in Mexico (2024)

In 2024, poppy and marijuana cultivation in Mexico remains concentrated in mountainous regions that are hard to access, where government control is weak, and criminal organizations operate freely. While there is no official registry of the specific mountains where these crops are grown, we can identify key regions based on historical and current reports.

Major Regions and Mountains in Guerrero

Guerrero continues to be a leading state in poppy and marijuana production, with its cultivation primarily concentrated in the Sierra Madre del Sur. Several municipalities stand out for their illicit crop activity:

• Sierra Madre del Sur:
  • Tlapa Hills: Located in Tlapa de Comonfort, these remote areas are ideal for poppy cultivation.
  • Chilapa Hills: This area serves as a prominent hub for both poppy and marijuana production.
  • Ayutla de los Libres Hills: Known for its active cultivation under the control of organized crime.
• Tierra Caliente:
  • Coyuca de Catalán Hills: These hills are notorious for large-scale poppy and marijuana plantations.
  • Zirándaro Hills: Another strategic area dominated by criminal organizations for drug production.
• Montaña Alta:
  • Metlatónoc Hills: One of Mexico’s poorest municipalities, where poppy cultivation provides income for locals.
  • Alcozauca Hills: Another isolated region with a significant presence of illicit crops.

Other Key Regions in Mexico

Beyond Guerrero, poppy and marijuana crops flourish in other mountainous regions across Mexico:

• Sinaloa:
  • Badiraguato Hills: A well-known center for drug cultivation, deeply linked to the narcotics trade.
• Durango:
  • Tamazula and Topia Hills: These regions are hotspots for poppy cultivation.
• Chihuahua:
  • Sierra Tarahumara Hills: Home to indigenous communities, this area has seen a rise in illicit crop cultivation.
• Michoacán:
  • Aguililla and Tepalcatepec Hills: Controlled by criminal groups like the CJNG, these zones are known for marijuana and poppy plantations.
• Oaxaca:
  • Sierra Sur: In municipalities like Miahuatlán and Villa Sola de Vega, illicit cultivation is widespread.

Factors Driving Cultivation in These Regions

1. Geographic Isolation: Mountainous terrains make access difficult for law enforcement.
2. Climate and Soil: Ideal conditions for growing poppy and marijuana.
3. Economic Hardship: Poverty and lack of alternative income sources force locals into illicit farming.
4. Organized Crime Control: Cartels dominate these areas, offering “protection” while enforcing their power with violence.

These factors, combined with the persistent demand for drugs, ensure the continued prevalence of poppy and marijuana cultivation in Mexico’s mountainous regions in 2024.