Puppet Master

So after reading the article in Sunday's Observer on the rich Jamaican under US probe http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Another-rich-J-can-under-US-probe_7726628 I couldn't help but remember what I was told in my teenage years by an elder "Drugs money run Jamaica". Now this gentleman was by no means a business analyst, or economist, so where did he get his authority from to make such a claim? Before I try to unravel all that lets speak to the obvious, Jamaica has a lot of retail stores and plazas!  I know Jamaican retailers overprice their goods, however, I wonder how some of these businesses are sustaining themselves when its evident just by observing that their selling power is little or non-existent? Please don't confuse window shoppers with buyers!! A number of organizations, not just in retailing have been and are staying afloat but how? (who cares right?) If we are going to REALISTICALLY address corruption, lets be practical! Oh just to declare, I AM NOT SAYING ALL BUSINESSES ARE INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES (had to do that for the critics). Regardless, my personal belief is that its nothing but dirty (blood, drugs, etc.) money that's keeping what we call an economy afloat. Prove me wrong and I will gladly correct my way of thinking. I found it amusing how Jamaica was all in a frenzy when the government claimed they were cleaning up garrisons (biggest joke since the idea that Obama was here to save the world) and Jamaicans quickly rallied around them and everybody became the modern day Malcolm X fighting and defending the cause. Now I really believe the man that told me "whatever project has to be done, the money can be found here in Jamaica, regardless of the amount". Yes oh land of wood and water!