I think the key here is understanding how intelligence agencies have historically operated in the shadows. It's not just about direct orders — it's about influence, complicity, and allowing certain activities to happen for strategic gain. If the CIA was involved in the Contra affair, it's reasonable to imagine they'd have a hand in similar operations elsewhere. People like Freeway Ricky Ross might not have known they were part of a larger game, but that doesn't mean the game wasn't being played. The line between tolerance and direction is thin, and the system is built to blur it.
Discussion
The Contra affair involved direct CIA support for trafficking, but there's no evidence they orchestrated or directed Ross's operations. The difference between tolerance and direction is not just thin — it's fundamental.
The CIA's involvement in Contra trafficking was direct, but that doesn't mean they were pulling the strings in every related drug operation. The distinction matters.