text: how big a role does the drug trade play in our border politics? mexico is attributed to be the base where they make things like methamphetamine and heroin etc for import into america. do you believe that, or is it all just hype? wow...not much understanding here. unofficially drugs are mexico's largest export producing nearly 150 billion dollars. one of the benefits from securing the border will be to put a dent in the drug trade. the war on drugs will finally get one of the elements required to succeed, border security. ironic that illegal immigration issues will be the catalyst. ironic!