307 homicides in 2007
1600 homicides in 2008
2600 homicides in 2009
2600+ homicides (and counting) in 2010
Bowden says a recent study in Chihuahua state, in which Juarez is the largest city, found that 40 percent of young males harbored the ambition to become contract killers.
The drug industry makes $30 billion to $50 billion a year and is second only to petroleum among Mexico's lucrative exports.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125427225