Make a quadrant chart of ways to make money with assets. The X-axis is margins and the Y-axis is overhead costs. You could even add a Z-axis for weight as you need the ability to transport a lot for scale. There are very few assets with comparatively low overhead costs, high margins, and low weight.
You pretty much just have only drugs, share dilution and - as of this decade - cryptographic tokens. They all pretty much invoke the same highs.
This analysis totally appeals to my economist brain. However, you would have to look at the risk-adjusted return on your capital investment.
Reading the above does make me wonder whether smugglers like in the Guardian story have access to some sort of dark web insurance policy which pays out if they are caught. My guess is probably yes because the market abhors a vacuum.
Make a quadrant chart of ways to make money with assets. The X-axis is margins and the Y-axis is overhead costs. You could even add a Z-axis for weight as you need the ability to transport a lot for scale. There are very few assets with comparatively low overhead costs, high margins, and low weight.
You pretty much just have only drugs, share dilution and - as of this decade - cryptographic tokens. They all pretty much invoke the same highs.
Worth it.