How Do Drug Dealers Ensure Their Customers' Trustworthiness?

Drug dealers often operate in a highly secretive and dangerous environment, requiring a high level of ensure customer trust. This type of business cannot rely on anonymity or convenience, as it operates in a world governed by the rule of reputation and trust.

The Low-Level Dealers' Game

At the lower levels of the drug trade, most dealers establish a direct personal relationship with their customers. This could range from friends in high school to coworkers to neighbors. The trust and familiarity that come from personal relationships are crucial, as it allows the dealer to establish a stable and reliable distribution network. For example, if a friend asks another friend to make a purchase from a drug dealer, the trusted friend would arrange the deal, but the actual transaction would remain opaque to the outer network.

One experienced drug dealer, who goes by the name "Techie," shared his side-venture as a dealer. Starting from the backroom of an auto parts store where he was managing, he built his business on trust and direct sales. A deal was struck with a friend, and Techie provided the capital and the friend distributed the product.

The High-Level Dealers' Checks

At higher levels of the drug trade, the stakes are significantly higher, and so are the safeguarding measures. When a new player enters the game, they must go through a rigorous verification process. This includes a background check, a thorough examination of their network, and a series of tests to ensure their intentions and reliability.

Techie explains, 'The phone calls would be made to verify who the new guy is and who sent him. If the story doesn’t match up, the new guy is likely to become fish food.' This step is critical, as any inconsistencies could jeopardize the entire operation. At low levels, this process is often less stringent, as the risk is generally lower, and the trust within the community is often sufficient. However, for Techie, who sold drugs in the past, an unknown person would never receive his time or product.

The Business Ethnicity and Community Rules

Drug dealing operates more like a community or an ethnicity, with its own set of rules and regulations. Just like mafias, there are clear social contracts that are understood by all members of the community. As Techie puts it, 'I dont know your friend and I have no interest in making his acquaintance. And dont bother bringing him along for the ride or the deals off. This aint no McDonalds drive through.' This statement enshrines the idea that trust and familiarity are non-transferable and that each deal must be conducted solely between parties who know each other well.

The social and trust-based nature of drug dealing means that each transaction is not just a financial exchange but a community agreement. As such, the dealers are not just selling drugs, but also trading trust, which is the lifeblood of their operation.

Conclusion

Drug dealers, at both low and high levels, are highly conscious of who they are dealing with. They ensure that their customers are trustworthy by building and maintaining personal relationships, undergoing rigorous verification processes, and adhering to the unwritten rules of the trade. The success of any drug deal hinges on trust, and without it, the entire operation could crumble.